Life - as we know it...

Back To School = Quiet House!!!

2011-08-28T19:49:00.009-05:00

Well...Back to School 2011 means that ALL three of my kiddos are now in school. YUP...the little man is now in kindergarten...full days...five days a week. I must say that I held it together very well that day...not too many tears...nor too much dancing in the school parking lot. he! he! he! Really, the strangest thing is not having my 'buddy' finding me throughout the day...asking me for things...telling me what he's up to...asking me what I'm up to...or even telling me what I SHOULD be up to! ha!

Kyla started JUNIOR HIGH this year! I know! I can't believe it, either! ;)This means lockers...and gym class...and student IDs...and did I mention lockers??? (cause she has THREE separate ones to keep up with between school, gym, and band). The Jr. High is HUGE compared to the Intermediate School...with classes upstairs and downstairs. So for several days Kyla took her schedule and her map and plodded along. However, Thursday she came home telling me she went on a 'suicide run.' Honestly, I thought it was some sort of gym drill...ha!...but she then explained, "I just put away my schedule, and my map, and I went for it!" That's my girl!!!
Summer is now at the Intermediate School...it's strictly a 5th and 6th grade campus. She had been there several times for Kyla's activities and already knew several of the teachers so she didn't seem to struggle with any 'fear of the unknown.' She has the same teachers that Kyla had in 5th grade and she was VERY excited for that. As a mom, I'm excited too. Kyla had her best academic year in 6th grade and I think Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Gaytan in 5th were a BIG part of that!!! Summer came home Friday FULL of excitement...she was elected student council representative for her class. She was already talking about being student council president...ha! One step at a time, Summer!
And I've already mentioned Luke and kindergarten. My little man...away all day! He has a very sweet teacher, Mrs. Martinez, and one of his buddies from church in his class. Hopefully, that will be a 'good' thing and NOT a problem (due to playing around too much!) ;) He has mastered the art of eating in the cafeteria and riding home on the bus! He is enjoying showing us his behavior chart when he gets home each day...he likes to act like it is a BIG surprise. So far, it's been good...4 green days and 1 yellow. Although, in true Luke fashion he described it to me as a 'light green.' It was written in yellow highlighter, giving it a greenish hue...but he knew FULL WELL that it was YELLOW. That boy! I just gotta love him to pieces!!!

Summer 2012

2011-07-27T15:00:00.022-05:00

The summertime is never the BEST time to catch up on blogging...not neccessarily because there is a lack of free time,but often because I must compete with three kids for use of our one computer. ha! Blogging itself doesn't take much time...not the composing of the blogs...but the uploading of pictures first from my camera and then onto the blog do take a little time. Today, I realized that all of my beach pics were already ON the computer, and so I thought I might sneak a few minutes and see just how many I could upload. We had a GREAT time at North Padre/Mustang Island this year. The weather...gorgeous. The seaweed...minimal. The sunburns...virtually non-existant! Like I said...GREAT time!

Happy Birthday, Kyla!

2011-05-24T08:21:00.006-05:00

This was how my 12 year old woke up this morning. For at least a year...probably closer to two...Kyla has BEGGED us for a phone. She has even tried to convince us that she is the ONLY 6th grader at Wilder Intermediate without one. She very well may be, but Kyle and I were hesitant to purchase something that required monthly payments (the bill) and in reality...there are very few times when she is apart from us and needs to be able to get in touch with us by cell phone. However, next year begins Junior High...with band practices that span into the after school hours and a campus that is MUCH farther away than the previous two. The peace of mind that will come from knowing that she can contact us at a moment's notice will be wonderful.

So...Happy Birthday, Kyla! Enjoy that new phone of yours! And know that we are proud of the intelligent, beautiful, loving, and godly young lady you have become!

SN-ice Day...

2011-03-15T12:39:00.011-05:00

One thing that I didn't mention in my post about the San Antonio Stock Show was the interesting WINTER weather we had. The best description that I heard of what we awoke to that morning was "snice". A thin layer of ice covered by a thin layer of snow. You can imagine that it was a travel NIGHTMARE for those of us south Texans who are not accustomed to anything white falling from the sky...except hail, of course. They closed ALL of the highways and interstates -- how does one do that exactly? -- but we had a show to get to IN San Antonio at 9 am!! The stock show didn't cancel, but did postpone for two gracious hours (note the sarcasm), however, those two hours were enough to allow the sun to shine, begin to turn that ice a little slushy, and make the interstates much more passible.

Because we had to get on the road...to allow enough time to get to the show...the kids didn't have nearly enough time to play out in the cold stuff. :( However, I did get a few pictures of them enjoying it while it lasted...because by the time we walked out of the show barn...almost all the evidence of the winter weather was GONE!

The kids couldn't wait to get their hands on the 'white stuff!'

Good layer of snow on the trampoline!

The snow was so powdery it really wouldn't pack into a good snowball.

Summer stood at the garden box...the sn-ice settled there and around the trees...you couldn't really see it in the grass.

Luke enjoyed jumping on the trampoline...it made a strange crunching sound because of the layer of ice.

The view of our street just as we were leaving for the stock show. It was good and slippery, but Kyle did an AWESOME job of navigating the slick roads. Must have been all of those years traveling on the back roads of Alabama and Tennessee in the winter weather!

Another Friday...Another post :)

2011-03-04T08:02:00.010-06:00

Well, I'm tempted to say that my new Friday 'thing' might be a blog update...but who am I kidding!?! Two Fridays in a row HARDLY makes this a new 'thing'! :) However, I am happy to be back at the computer...waiting impatiently for photos to upload to show you more of what we have been up to.

This week has been wonderful - a slice of heaven/Alabama came to visit us and it was DIVINE! However, I'm getting ahead of myself and I must go back to stock shows and post pics from San Antonio. The girls each took a hen to San Antonio and it was our first "Major" show. Now when I say "Major"...I don't mean 'big' or 'large'...although that would be true...but "Major" as in the type of show it is. The "Major" shows are open shows and people come from all around to compete...you don't have to live in a certain area/county like the smaller shows. So you can imagine if people can come from ALL around, the competition is fierce! There were 208 hens in the show and only 35 place and make the sale. If you weren't in the top 35...you aren't even given a placement and you must march over to the trailor with your bird and load it up for the processing plant. Sadly, we weren't in the top 35...but we weren't the first ones out of the ring either...sort of middle-of-the-pack.

Middle-of-the pack is NOT what Kyle was hoping for and so now the competitive spirit in him has raised its head and he has made adjustments to the feeding program. We'll see next week at Austin (which is on a Friday...just incase I don't post...ha!) and the following week at Houston (also a Friday) if the changes have paid off in the show ring. Who knew...except the 'turkey people' out there...that sooo much went in to raising these birds!?! :)

The arctic temperatures had us bundled up tight. I know that those of you reading this blog who have lived up north...or in the arctic...are laughing histerically right now...but take someone from 70 degree weather and put them in the 10s and 20s...it's ARCTIC! :)

Summer posing with her turkey the night before the show.

This picture is sooooo Kyla! Instead of standing beside Jon...who is holding the bird for her...she is standing beside the judge...almost as if she is keeping her eyes on him! ha! It looks like she might even be giving him pointers.

Kyla and Jon...waiting for the judge to come back around.

Jon helping Summer carry the bird into the show ring.

Summer was RIGHT by us in the ring...which was fun for photos, but not so fun when we realized that the birds that were going to really 'compete' were across the ring -- I guess you REALLY can't have it all! ;)

These birds are REALLY getting heavy now. Thank goodness Jon was there to help out!

As Promised...

2011-02-25T07:42:00.012-06:00

It was quite chilly here this morning - a mere 47 degrees...which is 'chilly' if you have been waking to temps in the 60s!! I was VERY tempted to just climb back under the covers when I got home from taking the girls to school. Luke was/is still sound asleep under HIS covers...Kyle is still sound asleep under HIS covers...I felt like it was ONLY fair! However, I remembered that I promised I would update the photos on my blog soon and I did NOT want to let the two of you that read this blog down! :)

Where do I begin?

I am so behind...I don't even have pictures from Christmas Eve or Christmas morning on here...but I think that window of opportunity has closed. I DID promise you pictures of our feathered friends...so I guess I will begin there.

If you remember, we started out with SEVENTY-FIVE feathered friends. They were cute, cute, cute. Notice the careful placement of the word..."WERE". They are no longer cute - they stand as tall as Luke...and weigh more! The number has been whittled down to 13...I think...and we have only two stock shows left next month - Austin and Houston. Hopefully, we can make the sale at one or the other...or BOTH!...it sure would be nice to recoup a little more of our cost.

The first show the girls participated in was the Guadalupe County show back in January. They were soooo excited! It was an odd feeling sitting on the other side of that ring and watching your child do something that you once did -- not with turkeys -- my projects were pigs and sheep. However, the proud momma gene kicked in and before you know I had pictures, pictures, pictures of the girls and their turkeys in the show ring. Both girls placed with their hens and made the sale. We were thankful, because those sales are the BIGGEST way that we can get back some of the "investment" that we have made into the project. These photos can tell the rest of the story for me!

Summer is entering the show ring...with the help of one of our friends...and fellow Cibolo Creek FFA member.

Summer is excited!! Kyla and Dakota enter the show ring.

Sometimes the turkeys were more 'pet' than 'project' to Kyla. I was really worried at how she would handle them being processed, etc. But surprisingly, she isn't the one who has a problem with it...it is Summer. I'm not sure that Summer has eaten any turkey meat and I'm not really sure that she will!

Dakota helps Kyla in the show ring --all smiles.

Summer is ALL smiles...as Jon does all of the 'heavy lifting!'

When picking out the birds the girls were going to bring to the show, Kyle was surprised at just how uniform all of our hens were. He wasn't surprised when Kyla and Summer got 9th and 10th place respectively. We were thankful that they both made the sale!!

Of course, sibling rivalry even spills into the show ring. As she was exiting the ring, instead of being pleased with her 10th place finish and a secure spot in the sale...she mouthed to me, with a VERY disappointed look on her face, "Kyla got NINTH!"

Luke and Kyle -- ready for the auction. We were 'told' to be there at 10am...Summer walked off the auction stage at around 8pm!! Talk about a looooooong day. I'm sooo proud of Luke and sooo thankful for Granny and PopPop's ability to entertain him!

Kyla was waiting her turn at the auction - the kids don't sell their actual projects at the county show...they let them take the projects home and return to another show with them. However, they have gift baskets to give to the bidders instead. I wasn't sure just how BIG the baskets should be. I don't know why I didn't think about the fact that "Bigger is ALWAYS better in Texas!"

Luke was trying to encourage the bidders to bid just a little bit more by waving his hand at them...it didn't work...but he sure looked awfully cute in the process! :)

Please Don't Disown Me!

2011-02-17T08:33:00.002-06:00

For all of my friends and family that check this blog from time to time...please don't 'disown' me for waiting sooo long between posts. I am hoping to upload some pictures in the next few days to give you a glimpse into what we have been doing that has kept us busy. I'll give you hint - feathers are involved. So please, keep checking back -- don't write me off just yet. :)

Christmas Day in Hawaii...

2010-12-27T21:07:00.008-06:00

So you know that I can't leave Luke out from the video spotlight, right!?! :) He and his preschool friends put on a special performance for parents and grandparents that was FABULOUS! The first song they performed for us was "Christmas Day in Hawaii" and words really can't describe just how cute it is...you just have to see for yourselves...

He has LOVED this year of preschool and comes home with knowledge about composers and artists that I don't even know about -- he is teaching me! That is humbling! I am thankful that I get to see "my" Mrs. Dietert love on my child...just like she loved on me in the 3rd grade!

Everyone ready to sing!

Granny & PopPop are there to watch!

The kids decorated these cookies...can you tell? :)

One of Luke's favorite preschool centers. There were ornaments that the kids could use to decorate the tree. Perhaps that is why so many of my ornaments were re-located on my tree from time to time this year? :)

Mrs. Dietert asked the kids what they would like for Christmas. For MONTHS Luke said he wanted a DS...and now that Christmas is just around the corner, he tells her he wants a remote control monster toy!?! Oh well -- he seems to enjoy his DS...lol!

Proud Momma Strikes Again!

2010-12-27T20:46:00.006-06:00

Alright - so if you hadn't seen enough of Kyla in the last video, you might by now. :) She volunteered to play a flute solo during her Wilder Intermediate Band Concert this year. Again, easily in front of 300 people. She does admit to getting nervous, but she doesn't seem to let that stop her! I apologize again for the video quality...and the fact that I started to record in the wrong direction - ha!...but hopefully it gets the point across!

I am sooo very impressed with how well these students have done in just 1 1/2 years. They have gone to not knowing which end of their instrument is up...to budding musicians!

Nerves of Steel??

2010-12-27T20:23:00.006-06:00

I'm convinced Kyla MUST have nerves of steel because that girl can perform ANYwhere. Recently, she volunteered to play "The First Noel" at the Wilder Intermediate Choir Christmas Concert in front of at least 300...maybe even 400 people! I have it recorded...but I must admit the quality is pretty poor. That's what happens when you record video on a point and shoot digital camera...but, it is better than NOTHING! :)

She did a superb job and really seemed to enjoy herself in the process. I love watching her excel at music and her no-fear attitude. I wish I had more of that in me!!! That is definately her daddy coming out in her!

Hermann Sons Dance - Christmas Performance

2010-12-27T18:12:00.003-06:00

The Cibolo troop of Hermann Son's Dancers that Summer is a part of performed for the lodge Christmas Party. I was VERY impressed with Summer and her classmates -- they put alot of time into learning the moves and it showed!! She has so much fun dancing! You can probably tell by the smile on her face! :)

They were a BUSY group of girls this year - with appearances at the Schertz Festival of Angels Parade, this performance, AND a performance at the tree lighting ceremony for the city of Cibolo. I'm glad they got to 'show off' their hard work. Plus, it will get them ready to perform in May at their BIG recital.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2010-12-27T17:08:00.006-06:00

So many photos and videos to post...I'm not sure just where I should begin!!! So...I thought I'd post a few highlights from Christmas first. More to follow!!! :)

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-30T10:24:00.014-05:00

I didn't take the time to 'research' it by looking through my old photos...but I think we have been to the Bracken United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch every year since we moved back to Texas....that would make this year 4. If I was more caught up with my scrapbooking, I could just look at those - but alas, I am about 5 years behind....eeek!

The church has pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins - of couse! 'Cause it's a pumpkin patch! But they also set up some really great places to take pictures of the kids. One of these years I want to take the kids on Halloween in their costumes....I think that would be fun...but I just never have the energy on Halloween to add one more 'festivity' to the day! :)

It just so happened that some friends of ours also went to the pumpkin patch Friday afternoon -- we didn't even realize we had planned the same outing until just a few hours before. So that added to the fun! :) We only picked out one pumpkin this year -- waiting so late left us with only a few options...and even the one we had was a little lopsided...but still very lovable!

I'm not sure how Luke taked Isaac into pulling HIM in the wagon!

Sweet little Preston in the patch - WHAT A CUTIE!!! :)

This beautiful monarch butterfly that was resting on this pumpkin in the sunlight. I was just about to zoom in a little closer when my loud little man came running up yelling, "MOM! Why are you taking a picture of that!?! Oooooh Mom - look that butterfly flying off!" All I could do was take a deep breath and move on - ha!

Rough Tough Real Stuff Texas A&M

2010-10-16T20:39:00.011-05:00

Kyle was able to take the girls to their VERY FIRST Aggie football game this year...thanks to Uncle Dustin's ticket connections!! :) They even had parking passes -- and seats in The Zone. They'll probably NEVER want to stand in the student section as students now - ha!

No long walk or difficult parking for this group!

Proud to be at the Aggie game!

All smiles with Dad - in The Zone - :)

They were a little worried for a while - but the Aggies managed to win against Florida International - thank goodness!

Lisa, Caitlin, and Dustin - all smiles after a win!

The cutest future Aggies EVER!!! :)

Preschool Pics As Promised!

2010-10-16T18:59:00.009-05:00

And a bit of alliteration too! :) Sorry - the girl's language arts is rubbing off on me. You can only talk so long about alliteration, idioms, and onomatopoeias before you subconsciously use them over and over again in your everyday speech!

Well, I felt bad for Luke that the turkeys made it to the blog before his first day of preschool photos...but like I said, they had him in sheer numbers! However, I have procrastinated loooong enough and here are the pics of my little man heading off to preschool (back in September).

There is a bit of a back story about preschool this year. When Luke began preschool at UCUMC (Universal City United Methodist Church -- now you see why I abbreviate it!) LAST year, it was in the hope of all hopes that he would have the preschool teacher that he has THIS year for THIS year. Fortunately, last year's experience was FABULOUS!! But, it wouldn't have mattered to me if it wasn't...because his teacher this year was my FAVORITE teacher of all time...only 30 years ago!!! Mrs. Dietert was my third grade teacher at Northview Baptist School in Austin, Texas. She was fresh out of t.u....newly married...and just looked like a fairy tale princess! Since it was a private Baptist school, she was allowed to...and probaby required to...talk to us about Jesus and the Bible. Her explaination of the gospels to me was pivotal in my decision to accept Christ at age 8.

I found out that Mrs. Dietert was at the school when one of my best friend's daughters was in her class. It was a name that you just don't hear that often and some of the details of her life were just too similar to 'my' Mrs. Dietert's life to be mere coincidence. Using my friend as a go-between, I soon discovered that 'my' Mrs. Dietert only lived a few miles away from me and had only recently returned to teaching...after the graduation of her youngest - 4th child - from high school!! It has been a pleasure to see her each day and see her love my little man...she is as WONDERFUL as I remember her...if not MORE!!

And now the story of the first day of preschool. Remember tropical storm Hermine?? Well, I do...VIVDLY! That was Luke's first day of preschool and the eye wall probably reached Schertz, TX sometime between 12pm and 1pm. Guess what time Luke's school starts?? Yup - 12:30 pm. If it hadn't been the FIRST day of school there is NO WAY that I would have taken him. The rain came down in wind blown sheets and there was no possible way to stay dry. Poor Mrs. Dietert had a dozen wet little preschoolers that first day. I made the mistake of 'testing' my Dollar Tree umbrella. It didn't make it. But I'm not really sure what umbrella would have?? I guess it is better that I wasted the dollar one rather than a more expensive one.

Luke had a blast that first day and he continues to enjoy preschool. It is the only thing that he doesn't try to talk me out of taking him to. He is vigilant about keeping up with who the snack taker is (they are also the leader for the day) and he can't wait to see what letter they will learn about...or number. I am glad that he is having sooo much fun!! I can't believe that the next step for him will be kindergarten. Where has the time gone????

She's baaaack!

2010-10-08T09:06:00.003-05:00

Well, thanks to the arrival of the turkeys yesterday...I'm back to blogging...at least for today. Poor Luke, his first day of preschool hasn't even made it on to the blog yet, but those turkeys have. Perhaps I can rationalize it by the numbers - SEVENTY FIVE of them and only one of him? Yeah - doesn't sound that reasonable to me either...a real, human boy should win everytime...so I guess those pics need to be next.

I don't usually use my blog to voice my opinions -- or perhaps I do, but I just use my family's pitures to get away with it. :) But this past week I have felt a REAL burden on my heart to pray for this country and it's attitude about SIN. Real popular topic, right!?! I blame Nancy Leigh DeMoss and her book, Lies Women Believe, And the Truth That Sets Them Free and a sermon series that my pastor did several months ago - Truth or Snare.

Unless you don't watch the news or popular television programming, you are aware of the recent rash of suicides of young homosexuals in this country. I am saddened by the loss of life, but I am more saddened by the increase in the use of the word TOLERANCE. As a Christian, I see homosexuality as a sin. You can try to argue with me about this if you want - but I will just point you back to the word of God. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, God spells out a standard and calls sin...a sin.

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderes nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."

But then he goes on to offer hope in the next verse, 1 Corinthians 6:11,

"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

God doesn't view the sin of a homosexual with MORE disdane than he does my shortcomings in controlling my temper with my children. We are BOTH sinners in need of a Savior. But if I excerise 'tolerance' I am condemming the homosexual to an eternity separated from God! How will he or she know what God's opinion is if the church doesn't take a stand? If the church doesn't take a stand...isn't up to me as a Christ follower to do so?

I'm pretty sure that you won't find the verse in the Bible...but you will find the theme..."Hate the sin...LOVE the sinner. I was horrified when I saw a Nightline segment this week about a group of protestors from Westboro Baptist Church and I was saddened that they called themselves representatives of God and what he had to say. Their message of hatred was aparent in their "God Hates Fags" (forgive me please for the use of this word) t-shirts and website. And all I could think was, "How could they read God's word and think that is what God would say?" Jesus never "tolerated" sin...but he ate with tax collectors. Jesus didn't tell the woman at the well that her relationship status was "relative"....but he asked her for water and drank...and then he offered her His Living Water. Jesus never implied that anyone was BEYOND His forgiveness -- He showed love to emphasize that point.

Perhaps one of the biggest handicaps in the church today is the TOLERANCE that this country is expecting. However, can we be 'tolerant' of a sinner and NOT be 'tolerant' of their sin? I think we can - we can express love for a people group or person without supporting their corrupt lifestyle. We can offer Christ's hope to them!

When a drug addict commits suicide...or a murderer so guilty that he or she just can't live with the memory of the crime...do we have a national campaign to raise 'tolerance?' Of course NOT! In God's eyes - sin is sin. We need to make sure that we are willing to call a sin a sin...but LOVE the sinner inspite of it! It shouldn't be a message of tolerance. It SHOULD be a message of God's truth, God's forgiveness, and God's love.

We have TURKEYS!!!!

2010-10-08T08:19:00.012-05:00

We have turkeys, yes we do!

We have turkeys, how 'bout you?

I figured I would show a little enthusiasm this morning about the SEVENTY-FIVE newest members of the Morgenroth 'family.' They came yesterday and the girls will be able to show them at the San Antonio, Houston, and Star of Texas livestock shows. It will be a time commitment, but one that Kyle is VERY aware of because he raised turkeys himself for many years. I, however, was a pig and sheep girl so this poultry world is new and a bit amazing to me. There isn't much to write about the turkeys...they were about a day old...they have learned to eat and drink...and they seem content in their new environment. I figure these pics will speak for me instead!

Kyla was thrilled to be carrying a box of TWENTY-FIVE turkey poults!!

Wish there was sound with this pic - they were LOUDLY cheeping!! Ready to get OUT of the box!!

They figured out their waterers FAST...and they were THIRSTY!

It doesn't really look like it could be seventy - five when they spread out in the pen, however, just look at how many can fit in THIS small space!

There are marbles in their feed so that they can play games and entertain themselves. NAH! Not really! ;) They peck at the marbles and inadvertently get food -- it trains them to 'eat.'

Meet Ruby

2010-08-23T16:28:00.003-05:00

This past week was an emotional roller coaster for my Kyla Suzanne! On August 16th her pet hamster, Patches, passed away. To say that it was upsetting would be an UNDERSTATEMENT!! He was with our family for 2 years and 3 months....which seems to be 77 hamster years according to an online calculator that one of Kyla's friends found. He may have just been a little furball, but she cared for him so deeply and she cried on and off for a couple of days. :( It just broke our hearts, however, we know that is the 'cost' of owning pets and loving them. One of the first things that she said was "I want to go right now and get a new hamster!"...but we took some time...I felt like she really needed time to cope and to grieve.

This past Saturday we DID go get her a new furry friend. We think it is a little girl...she's a little young to tell for sure...and Kyla has named her Ruby for her reddish tinted eyes. We were a little concerned at all of the squeeking she did at us on the drive home from the pet store. She let us know that she was NONE to happy to be awakened and transported from her 'home' and siblings. However, I think she has calmed down much quicker than Patches ever did -- Kyla can already hold her in her hand and pick her up out of the cage. Like Patches, she is a teddy bear hamster and eventually her fur will be longer and thicker than it is right now. It seems that she will be another sweet little fur ball for Kyla to love!

BACK TO SCHOOL!!!

2010-08-23T14:36:00.007-05:00

I was genuinely excited for school to be out at the beginning of summer. I had GRAND plans to be at the YMCA and/or the pool here in Schertz 3 to 4 times a week. I was going to keep those kids so busy that they wouldn't have time to fight. ha! However, the heat began to take it's toll on all of us and spending time outside...even at the pool became old hat. By the time August rolled around, I was ready to see these kids get back to school. And I think deep down they were ready too...even though Kyla repeatedly referred to school as the 's' word. I had let us get waaay off of schedule and we were watching waaay too much t.v., playing waaaay too much Wii, and bickering waaay too much.

When you see this picture of Summer you can tell exactly what she was thinking about getting back to school today. She bounded out of bed this morning and everyone was ready and downstairs for breakfast LOOOONG before 7 a.m. A special tradition has been Dad's Egg Bread (a.k.a. french toast) on the first day of school and he did NOT disappoint this year. He was even able to ride along with us as we dropped the girls off at school.

They are becoming so independant. Kyla is going into 6th grade and Summer into 4th. Both of them are the 'oldest' classes in their schools and seem to be feeling their 'seniority.' :) I am excited for them to get home this afternoon and tell me all about their day...their teachers...their friends...I'll have to let y'all know what they say...

Swimming Fun???

2010-07-18T21:33:00.010-05:00

After the first couple of days of swim lessons for Luke...I was about ready to throw in the towel...parden the pun! ha! He fussed...cried...even cowered behind the pool furniture to try and hide from Mrs. Amy, his swimming instructor. It wasn't pleasant for ANY involved! However, Mrs. Amy wasn't daunted by Luke's behavior and she persevered...and made him persevere...and what do you know!?! Luke is trying to SWIM now.The first 3 days of lessons were torture! By the first Friday, I was at my wits end. Luke had lost the priviledge of the Wii for the weekend and his sisters weren't going to be allowed to come back and watch him until he could pull himself together. Every time it was his turn to work with Mrs. Amy he would panic. He kept telling Mrs. Amy that he didn't want her to 'dunk him.' Telling may be too gentle of a term...perhaps yelling would be a more accurate discriptive word!

Things slowly began to turn around last Monday. Luke had a rough start. He hid behind one of Mrs. Amy's outdoor chairs...I guess hoping that we would all just forget why we were sitting out in the hot sun at 11:40 a.m.?? Anyways, Amy just walked over to him...grabbed his hand...and led him over to the pool. I forgot to mention that on day 2 of lessons she had to pry him off of me and carry him into the pool...ugh. I was pleased that he followed her over this day with very little fuss and he proceeded to earn back his Wii and his sister's company for the next lesson. Things were looking up!

Slowly Luke began to make progress. The above pictures were taken on Wednesday...when he finally began to put his head in the water VOLUNTARILY! He had such a good swim lesson, I decided we should go to the pool and practice some more. Before we left the pool that day, he was attempting to swim in the shallow end of the pool every time I turned around. It was as if the idea of swimming just clicked and he was no longer afraid to put his head under water. As a matter of fact, he was going under water all the time...for no real reason...it was AWESOME!

At his lesson on Thursday, Luke swam from one side of the pool to the other with no assistance. Now when I say swim, it is important to realize that I am not talking about a perfect technique - ha! I'm just saying the boy had his head in the water...he was kicking his legs...he was moving those arms...and moving forward across the pool! The pictures below were taken on Friday. I think that Mrs. Amy had a real sense of accomplishment with this student - and she should! If it weren't for her patience and persistence, Luke would NOT have begun to learn to swim this summer!Luke is NO longer afraid of Mrs. Amy...and he is PROUD of that certificate and pencil!

July 4th Festivities

2010-07-18T20:28:00.014-05:00

WOW! It sure has been hard to find the time to blog this summer. As a matter of fact, just as I have typed those words, I realize that I have a load of laundry sitting in my washing machine that I desperately need to get into the dryer. Oh well! It will just have to wait -- right now, I choose to blog!I wanted to share a few pictures with you of our July 4th Festivities here in Schertz. I love living in a town that has a July 4th parade (even though we haven't ever been) :/ and a July 4th Carnival (even though we haven't ever been) :/ and a July 4th fireworks display (to THAT we HAVE been). The city shoots fireworks off at Pickerel Park and we chose to enjoy them from our parking place at the baseball field just down the road. This year, Kyle even went so far as to park his truck earlier in the day so that he could just drop the lot of us off at the truck just before dusk and go park the van. It is sooo crowded, you have to show up pretty early for a good parking space...he had to park the van several blocks away and just walk to us. It reminded us of all of those years he and his dad would go and park the truck along Elk River Mills Road so that we could watch the Sportsman's Park fireworks! I miss those Sportsman's Park fireworks!! However, the Schertz fireworks are the next best thing!

Granny & PopPop came over for dinner...Kyle grilled corn and ribs - YUM!...and then we headed out. Luke's ready to see some fireworks from the back of Kyle's truck. Kyla's ready to see some fireworks too!

I think this means that Summer is ready for the fireworks! :)

Luke is talking to Daddy about the fireworks and HOW MUCH LONGER it is going to be!

Fireworks pictures NEVER turn out as beautiful as the real things...but I had to try!

Beach Trip 2010

2010-06-30T10:46:00.004-05:00

In honor of the grey skies and Hurricane Alex churning near Mexico this morning, I thought I would skip forward in my blogging to our beach trip just two weeks ago. Kyle and I made the 2 hour drive down to Corpus Christie/North Padre Island with Granny, PopPop, Dustin, Lisa, Caitlin, Taylor, and of course our 3 kids. The seaweed was FIERCE! It was all over the beach and also rolling in on the waves. Once we got use to it bumping into us and rubbing on our legs while we were in the water, it wasn't bad. However, it did 'chase' the kids out of the water the first hour we were there.

A friend of mine told me that a Park Ranger had told them the state was leaving the seaweed on the beach to try and control beach erosion...clever idea...but pesky. Luckily, we had a rake and took turns clearing off a path from our canopy down to the water. The neat thing about the seaweed was that small crabs would float on it and if you were lucky...and you had a net...you could scoop them off, shake them off the seaweed, and have a 'pet' for the day. None of us let the kids bring them home...mean ole' parents.

We had accidentally left the kids wave boards at home so we stopped on the way and purchased new ones. The new ones were larger than their old ones and were easier for them to float on the waves. We had good waves...especially our second day...and even I got into the wave riding. I was probably obnoxious because I would 'scream' with delight if I really caught a good wave. If you were there...and you could hear me....sorry. ;)

May Recital

2010-06-28T13:42:00.002-05:00

Well here it is almost July and I have YET to post any pics from the kid's birthdays OR end of school year activities. I DID find the time to make a slide show of Summer's Dance Recital today...I LOVED the costumes and music for Summer's class! Their tap routine was performed to the song "Fly Me To The Moon" and their jazz/pom routine was to "Pump Up the Jam." We weren't allowed to photograph during the ACTUAL recital...just the rehearsal...and I found it funny that Summer kept looking over at me, posing for a picture! There was a professional photographer that was standing next to me and she thought that Summer was smiling at her each time...she laughed when I told her that it was actually for me because I was her mom. We had a great time and were so fortunate to have Mime, Grace, Granny, and PopPop not only join us for the recital at Texas Lutheran, but for a delicious meal at Clear Springs in New Braunfels afterward. It is safe to say that Summer felt very honored to be the center of all of our attention that day!

Wilder 5th Grade Band Field Trip

2010-05-14T16:35:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, the fifth grade band students at Wilder Intermediate school traveled to Texas Lutheran University to attend a Band Contest/Clinic. The kids were not competing against other bands, but they were performing to a panel of judges who rated their performance and stage presence. For most of these kids, this was the very first year that they had touched their instruments! There they were walking in quietly, waiting on their director to seat them, and even performing 3 songs. I am going to attempt to post the videos that I took of their performance, however, I only had my small digital camera with me and it just doesn't do very well indoors with low light...so bear with the images, please!

The judge who spoke to the kids expressed his amazement SEVERAL times that this band was made up entirely of 5th graders! Each band came home with a trophy, and depending on their performance received either a participant trophy or an outstaning trophy. All 3 judges rated the band as outstanding!! They screamed with excitement when they were told this by their band director, Ms. Najera. They were soooo very proud of their trophy - they even named him "Bobby." Before we departed the school for the evening, I had to get a photo of Kyla and "Bobby."

FYI - In the videos...Kyla is sitting on the front row...she is to the right of Ms. Najera...her music stand is to her left. She is the third person from the far right of the row. Confused?? See if you can find her! :)

Band Performance - Castles and Kings

Band Performance - Primus

Band Performance - Tyrannosaurus Rocks!

Four Legged Family Member

2010-05-14T16:22:00.005-05:00

Summer has tried and tried to wear me down. She asked and asked for a puppy for her birthday. She promised everything under the sun to me. SHE would walk it! SHE would clean up after it! SHE would....etc, etc, etc. Well, I gave in....sort of. She did end up with a four-legged friend for her birthday. A very tiny four legged friend.

Meet Lilly. She is a black dwarf hamster. She's fast as lightening and doesn't know what to think of our rowdy crew just yet. The girls have suffered a few nips on the fingers, but nothing that seems truly malicious....just self-preserving. Now that the girls can actually get her out of the cage I need to try and get a better picture. This photo was the day she came home with us and she pretty much curled up in a ball and burried herself in a corner of her cage. However, you can see from Summer's smile (blue from a Sonic slush consumed just moments earlier) that she didn't mind Lilly's hermit-like behavior. Welcome to the family, Lilly!

Piano Recital

2010-05-14T15:40:00.010-05:00

For Kyla, this has been a year FULL of music. She began piano lessons last summer with Mrs. Teri - a friend of ours from church - and she began to play the flute last fall with the Wilder Intermediate Fifth Grade Band. It has been so much fun to see her share my love of both the piano and flute and I wouldn't be a BIT surprised if her skills surpass mine in time! She already shows signs of being a good sight reader!

A couple of weekends ago was Kyla's Spring Piano Recital. Mrs. Teri convinced us to do another duet...she likes to tease me by saying that she is preparing me to take her spot when she needs a break from the keyboard on Sunday mornings at church. (If only I could play by ear...or even by chords instead of just by music...that might not seem so frightening!!) The duet was to "This Little Light of Mine" and then Kyla played "Ode to Joy" by herself. She did splendidly on both! Although we did get off from each other on our duet at the very beginning, she kept playing until I could get us back to the same point - so much composure, that one!!

Kyla & Mrs. Teri

Photographic Proof of Our Duet

So confident and poised when it was all over...

A Beautiful Boquet from Granny & PopPop

Granny, PopPop, & Kyla

Sneak Peak - Summer's Recital

2010-05-14T15:30:00.006-05:00

I'm stealing a few moments with the computer this afternoon to update my blog. What a GLORIOUS way to spend a stormy Friday afternoon! I have so many pictures to upload I can't figure out where on earth to begin. I think I'll start with a sneak peak at one of Summer's costumes for her dance recital THIS Sunday evening at Texas Lutheran University.
This costume is the one that the girls are wearing to perform a tap routine to "Fly Me To The Moon." They will also perform a jazz/pom routine to "Pump Up The Jam." I am amazed at what Ms. Kramm can teach the girls in less than an hour a week. It is just enough to keep Summer motivated and excited, but not too much that she...or the family...will get burned out!

Not Enough Hours In The Day...

2010-05-04T21:08:00.002-05:00

Ever feel that way? That there just aren't nearly enough hours in the day to get done all of those things that you HAVE to do...let alone all of those things that you WANT to do?? I am feeling that way tonight as I update this blog. I love blogging! I really enjoy posting pictures and letting whoever (whomever?...whatever!) know my thoughts on any variety of subjects...but I am feeling like one BIG failure. My new year's resolution was to blog once a week, however, another one of my resolutions...the resolution to exercise 4 times a week...is getting in my way!

I joined the YMCA at the end of March/first of April and I have been going RELIGIOUSLY. I don't use that word lightly either...there is some sort of 'religion' to exercise. I have been at the 'Y' for AT LEAST 4 days a week. And when I went on the Women's Retreat a few weeks ago -- I exercised there...I jogged/walked...it was INSANE. I have found myself ENJOYING this exercise time...who knew!?! I have lost 10 pounds so far...but there is a loooong way to go before I get back in shape! So, please forgive if the blog posts are few and far between! I think that my blogging resolution will just have to take a back seat at this time.

Don't get me wrong -- I'm not hanging up my keyboard...I'm just letting the one or two of you who read this ;) know that I haven't forgotten you...or my resolution. I just can't seem to do it all!

Easter Sunday

2010-04-23T17:34:00.006-05:00

Of course, I know that Easter is soooo much more than egg hunts, Easter baskets filled by the Easter bunny, and matching outfits for the kids, but I seem to take LOADS of pictures of the egg hunts, Easter baskets, and matching kids. Kyle and I both emphasize to the kids the real reason that we celebrate Easter Sunday, however, I do worry that in the celebration of all things that we have come to know as Easter...that we are missing the point. I can only hope and pray that our discussions of Jesus's resurrection and His victory over all of our sin have really sunk in.

That said, I will now discuss the choice of black and white for the kids (and my) Easter 'outfits.' I had a hard time committing to black and white. White doesn't seem unusual for Easter - I can recall one Easter in particular when my girls wore white smocked dresses....how I miss seeing them in smocked dresses! But black doesn't exactly fit my idea of Easter...however, it did fit my budget. :) I had purchased the shrugs that the girls are wearing for Megan's wedding and it just made sense to try and stretch the purchase by pairing it with another outfit. Of course, at Children's Place I can still find something for all three kids to wear in the same color scheme and the next thing you know...it was black and white. I felt like it was so unusual that I even called my mom from the Forum parking lot...just for a little reassurance before I made my way home.

It wasn't until the Friday before Easter that I decided to try and make my outfit match the kids as well - that sweater... I found it at Sam's Club of all places! Unfortunately, I didn't look for anything for Kyle to wear...I thought he could wear a white button down shirt...but he had more colorful clothes in mind. He did first come out in his Upward referee jersey....black and white vertical stripes. It was priceless!! Too bad I didn't get a picture of him and the kids while he was wearing it!

Grace's Dance Recital

2010-04-23T14:12:00.012-05:00

Most of you who read this blog know that I have an amazing sister, Grace, who is 14 years old. She and I may be separated by 23 years, and we may have been born to different parents on different sides of the world, but I couldn't love her more than if we were related by blood. And technically, since we are both Christians...we are related by blood....Christ's blood. :)The girls and I traveled to Austin a few weeks ago to attend Grace's dance recital. What a TREAT!! Unfortunately, no photography was allowed during the recital so I don't have any images to help me describe just how FABULOUS it was. Grace takes dance at The Love of China School of Chinese Dance, where they of course learn Chinese dance. At the recital there were ribbon dances, fan dances, kite dances, hankerchief dances, martial arts inspired dances, Chinese yo-yo demonstrations, just to name a few of the 30 performances we saw. The performers ranged in age from toddlers to college students...and at least one college student traveled across the country just to be a part of the show. Again - the word that I keep coming back to is FABULOUS!After the show, Mom & Dad took us all to the Macaroni Grill to eat. yummmmm! :) It was a very special treat! These bluebonnets were growing up the embankment in the parking lot of the shopping center the restaurant was in. Of course, we ALL needed pictures of it! You never know just how long it will be until we have the weather conditions that make it favorable for the wildflowers again.

Easter Egg Hunt

2010-04-23T14:03:00.002-05:00

What fun! What fun! We had a BLAST at Granny & PopPop's house for the third annual Easter Egg Hunt. Each year since our move back, Granny and PopPop have graciously hosted family and friends the Saturday before Easter to hunt eggs, enjoy a meal together, and just visit! The weather couldn't have been more beautiful! I think the slide show will make it obvious that a good time was had by all!

Wildflower Pics

2010-04-22T08:14:00.014-05:00

I have sooo many pics that I want to put up on the blog...I'm beginning to feel overwhelmed! Before I let any more time go by, I wanted to post these pics of my kiddos and my beautiful nieces. These photos were taken in the front yard of one my in-law's neighbors the day before Easter. The beautiful mixture of reds and purples was just breathtaking! I'll let the photos speak for themselves -- for a change. :)

How Does Your Garden Grow?

2010-04-12T19:35:00.006-05:00

It has taken me soooo long to want to tackle this blog posting, because I had sooo many great pictures but I didn't really want to take the time to create a slideshow. However, I finally convinced myself that the time it took would be worth it -- there were just too many pictures that I loved to only post two or three.

There are times that Kyle has such patience with the kids and I am awed by it. Not because I am surprised that he has that kind of patience... but mostly, because I don't. I'm talking about the patience that it takes to stop in the middle of an important (or at least important to you) project and just let the kids help. How many times have I declined the offers to help cook from my girls...too many times to even count...but if Dad is in the kitchen you will quickly see them side by side. This was one of those days where his patience SHINED -- all three kids planting his garden with him...a beautiful memory for each kid, for Kyle, and even for me!

Fishing

2010-03-31T14:49:00.007-05:00

We just had NO luck fishing on our camping trip. Well, that isn't ENTIRELY true -- Kyle did catch this 12 inch bass on our very first trip down to the lake shore. I'm not sure if any of you have seen the Bill Dance commercial...I think on ESPN...when he tells the secret of making EVERY fish a BIG fish...but we tried it out with this picture. You are just supposed to hold it up CLOSE to the lense. Only problem here...Kyle's hands still dwarf it.
Luckily, the kids didn't loose patience when the fish weren't biting and were willing to give it a go once or twice every day. That left me with lots of opportunities to take pictures of them TRYING to catch fish. Hopefully, NEXT trip the fish will be BITING!!

Wildlife

2010-03-31T14:32:00.006-05:00

From what I understand, Choke Canyon State Park is an animal preserve. I'm not exactly sure how that works out for all of those ducks during duck season -- poor, tasty dears -- but the rest of the the wildlife is OFF LIMITS! This makes for AWESOME animal sightings when you are driving around or riding bikes. I took these pictures from the comfort of the inside of Kyle's truck. Although, it sure would have been a more interesting blog if I had a story about tracking them miles across the park. :)

Sunsets

2010-03-20T11:06:00.008-05:00

Our cabin at Choke Canyon...or cabinet as Luke loved to call it...was right on the water this year. The sunsets each night were AMAZING and added to the relaxed feel of this camping vacation.

The first night - when this picture (above) was taken - a storm front was approaching and it DRASTICALLY reduced the temperature the next day...but it didn't spoil our FUN!!

The next evening (above) - the clouds slowly began to clear off and open up crystal clear dark skies peppered with many more stars than we can now see living in the city limits. It reminded us of all of those clear nights that we sat out on our deck in Alabama and looked up at the sky with Kyla's telescope. We may bring that with us next year/time!!

Perhaps God saved the very best sunset for last - the colors were amazing on our final night. We were able to sit outside and watch a 'finger-nail' moon set just after the sun. AMAZING!!

Wildflowers

2010-03-19T09:49:00.006-05:00

We just got home from a camping trip to Choke Canyon and let me just say that the wildflowers are in BLOOM in south Texas! Since we have moved back to Texas, the wildflowers haven't really bloomed very well - it has been too warm and too dry. However, we had a wet and cold winter - something the wildflowers LOVE - and they are gorgeous!

In the state park we found several mounds of bluebonnets near the water -- so OF COURSE I had to get a couple of pics of the kids. Unfortunately, I couldn't get Luke to stay still long enough to capture him by the bluebonnets...but the girls cooperated!

More campings pics and blogs to follow...but now I must tend to camping clean-up and a LONG overdue visit to my parent's house. Pflugerville...here we come!!! :)

Signing His Cards

2010-03-05T18:41:00.003-06:00

It's funny, but when I took these pictures I didn't realize that Luke was resting his chin on the table as he wrote these cards. Perhaps I was so wrapped up in the idea of taking a picture of him signing his first Valentine's Day cards....just like I did with BOTH of his sisters. After all, I did spend the time carefully writing his name in dashed letters so that they would be very easy for him to trace. The problem - after about the first two - he announced that he was DONE! I did convince him to finish but I think that it was because I promised him one of the Fun Dips that he was giving away. It just seems like further proof that there is some aversion to writing that can be found on the Y chromosome.

Winning Box...

2010-03-05T18:32:00.002-06:00

I am behind on a few posts that might just include a photo or two and a quick word (because anyone who knows me...knows that I just HAVE to have at least a quick word...or TWO...with you!) ha! This box was Summer's Valentine Box for her class decorating contest -- she won "Most Original Design." We stole the idea from a scrapbook page I once did - where I made a monkey out of nothing but alot of circles and one oval. I had used the monkey on the page because she was ALWAYS hanging upside down on the side of our swingset. She chose the monkey because her class is known as the Maryfield Monkeys - that name suits her perfectly!

Pretty As A Princess

2010-02-24T14:09:00.011-06:00

Last weekend was CRAZY!! But the kind of crazy that after all is said and done, and you can finally sit down and put your feet up, you let out a big contented sigh. We had the priviledge to be a part of a wedding of a really neat couple last weekend. Summer and Kyla met Megan at church - she volunteered up in KidzVenture, CrossPoint's kidz ministry to grades 1-6. Both girls fell in love with her instantly, but Summer almost became her stalker. She would scan the sanctuary after church to see if she could find her...just to say 'hi'...and Megan was always so kind to take a few moments for her! Megan honored Summer by asking her to be her flower girl! And so began the countdown to Flower Girl Day...also known as Chris & Megan's wedding - ha! I haven't had time to make slideshows of the wedding or the rehearsal, but in keeping with my resolution to blog more, I wanted to go ahead and get a few photos posted...for fear that time would get away from me! There were several firsts for Summer this weekend...

She had her FIRST professionally styled up-do.

Her FIRST time as a flower girl.

And her very FIRST limo ride.

One of the things that I explained to Summer - half-joking, half-NOT - was that no one was supposed to 'up-stage' the bride on her very special day. I told her that she would have to try VERY hard not to be too cute or too pretty...especially NOT prettier than the bride! To which she quickly replied - "But Mom! I WANT to!" Now do you see why we called it Flower Girl Day!?!

Let's Rodeo San Antonio...

2010-02-16T14:48:00.007-06:00

Well, there are few things that say TEXAS like a stock show & rodeo. As a matter of fact, it was one of the things that we really missed when living in Alabama. Sure, there were local rodeos and some stock shows in Alabama, but nothing on the grand scale that we had grown up around. Yes, I know. That old adage that 'everything's BIGGER in Texas' strikes again. But in this case, you can't argue with me - Texans know how to hold a rodeo!
Kyle and I took the kids to see the rodeo on a Saturday night - Tim McGraw performed the concert. And I took the girls back Sunday afternoon to see Selena Gomez perform. Now, let me just say you have to have several hours to invest when you go to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. It is held in the AT&T Center (where the Spurs play) and just the walk over from the parking lot can take a while...but you can't 'do' the rodeo without taking in some of the sights. The first night we only had time to check out the petting zoo and for Luke to ride a pony. The second day we had time to go to some of the educational exhibits and catch a few of the breeder stock shows. The rodeo itself lasted 2 to 2 1/2 hours...there is the set-up for the performer (30-45 minutes)...and then the concert (at least an hour). It is an amazingly orchestrated event...do you realize the Spurs have to play out-of-town the whole time (2 weeks) the rodeo is going on? They call it the Rodeo Roadtrip! That still amazes me!

I must say that seeing some of the animals and watching the show itself gave me a bit of stock show fever. I could remember the fun that I had showing both sheep and pigs...and I hope that one day my kids can have the same experience...even if it is just Guadelupe County and not as large of a show as San Antonio.

Crash & Burn???

2010-02-06T07:42:00.008-06:00

I do NOT want to crash and burn at my New Year's resolution to blog more often, but I fear that I just don't have time to do all of things I WANT to do. A dear friend of mine once lamented to me that her 'life' sure did get in the way of her hobbies. We laughed and laughed! She was referring at that time to scrapbooking. The irony wasn't lost on us that without that 'life' there would be NOTHING to scrapbook - and thus the catch 22 begins.

Well, I have taken some time over the past couple of weeks to scrapbook. I thought I would share a few pics of some of my favorite creations. I apologize for the quality...I have yet to master a way to take a picture of the pages...my scanner is not large enough to scan a whole 12x12 page. Perhaps if you squint your eyes it will help it to appear a little less fuzzy. ha! :) I almost forgot to mention that I am FIVE years behind in my scrapbooking - so these 'little' girls that you see here...ages 3 (almost 4) and 5 (almost 6) have changed TREMENDOUSLY...but I still see them in the young ladies they are today!

Sausage Day

2010-01-27T11:18:00.004-06:00

The family that makes sausage together....stays together. Or is it prays together?? ha! Well, with the Morgenroth family it could go either way. Last weekend was sausage weekend -- the weekend where the boys (and even friends and family now) get together with Mom (Granny) and Dad (PopPop) and make their delicious hard dried deer sausage. I believe the recipe is protected...but photography of the process is allowed. If any of you are squeamish at the site of raw meat, etc...you may want to skip the slide show. :) But if you are brave - view away. If you are lucky enough to try this sausage you will understand just how fabulous it is...and why the Morgenroths go to the trouble every year to make it.

Semester Awards

2010-01-27T11:04:00.006-06:00

O.K. - So I don't want to be one of THOSE parents who are always bragging about how FABULOUS their kids are...but I just can't help myself. The semester awards were this week and the girls are doing better than ever in school. I am pleased that they are using their God-given talents and abilities in the classroom and on homework so that they qualified for A honor roll. But even more than that -- I am thankful that both Kyla and Summer received very complimentary remarks on their conduct. It brought tears to my eyes to see them receive comments like 'a pleasure to have in class' and 'exhibits a postive attitude.' I must say THAT is what I value...more than their good grades. To see them complimented on their character makes this momma proud!! WAY TO GO GIRLS!!!

New Year's Eve

2010-01-20T12:04:00.009-06:00

I think a good sign of where I am in my life is how I spent my New Year's Eve. As a college student, many a New Year's (3 actually) were spent in Dallas awaiting a Cotton Bowl...defeat, sadly. As a young married woman, it was either spent with friends in Alabama...or it was part of out trip to Texas. As a parent of 3, it is far from glamorous...but LOTS of fun! :) We had Granny & PopPop over for dinner and then we played games and Wii. Kyla was DYING to play poker with Granny, PopPop, & her dad...while Summer and I had a Dance Dance Revolution Marathon. Luke just bounced back and forth between the two...depending on how his mood suited him! Granny was the night's BIG winner at poker (thus, the SMILE!!) - however, the only thing she won, was bragging rights...luckily, that was enough.
Two of the BEST treats of the evening were the plastic champagne flutes and the sparkling grape juice that Granny & PopPop brought along. You would have though we were at the Waldorf or the Ritz the way the girls showed off with those things!! It made a toast at midnight a necessity and most likey, a new family tradition!

Christmas Cont...

2010-01-15T22:55:00.002-06:00

Alright - my goal was to get these up a.s.a.p. so that I wasn't posting Christmas pictures...mid-spring. These should be the 'last' of my pictures/slideshows from our Christmas festivities. It was busy, but I did a MUCH better job of prioritizing...or really letting GOD prioritize for me! That made ALL the difference in the world!

After Christmas morning at our house, and a BIG breakfast...we headed down the road (less than a 30 minute drive) to Granny & PopPop's house. We exchanged presents with Granny, PopPop, Dustin, Lisa, Caitlin, and Taylor first...and then later visited and exchanged gifts with Poppy, Kathy, Uncle Mike, Aunt Sylvia, Trish (Lisa's Mom), Nana (Lisa's Nana), Aunt Sharon, and Uncle Herbert. Luke had a hard time when it was all 'done'...he was ready to open MORE gifts...AS IF he didn't have enough. :/

This was one of those years when Christmas was chilly...so the kids played outside a little, but not very much. Even though that meant being indoors most of the day, the kids played VERY well together - at least that is how I remember it - but I COULD be selectively blocking something out. ha! :)

We are soooo very blessed to have a loving family - on BOTH sides. I realize that it is a gift to look FORWARD to spending time with our relatives during the holidays. It has always been a priority for us. There wasn't a year while we were living in Alabama, that we didn't travel back to Texas to celebrate Christmas. It is nice that we can do that now without several days of travel...and suitcases. There was nothing like packing everything from shorts and t-shirts to jeans and sweaters for a 2 week stay in unpredictable December weather for a family of FIVE!

Christmas Morning!!

2010-01-11T13:44:00.002-06:00

I decided I better not get tooo ahead of myself and my blogging posts...or before I know it, it will seem like too much time has gone by to be posting our Christmas pictures. Christmas morning seemed VERY early this year and I was AMAZED that Summer was the first one down the stairs and in our room. She is usually the 'late' sleeper of the group...but she couldn't rest with the possibility of Santa's loot downstairs under the tree. She went on reconnaissance missions between the bedroom, Christmas tree, and stockings at the fireplace, each time coming back to tell us all of things she predicted to be there. It was priceless!! Luke was quickly on her heels, but when Kyla didn't appear soon -- she finally went upstairs to wake her up!

The girls each received an iPod nano - Kyla's green - Summer's purple and new Wii remotes (Kyla's blue, Summer's purple)...as well as books, umbrellas, candy, beauty supplies, etc. in their stockings. Luke received a Wii Guitar Hero drum set and the Cars Race-O-Rama Wii game, Cars camp chair, Curious George videos, and miscellaneous stuff in his stocking. I don't think the girls put those iPods down for more than a few minutes ALL day! One of the funniest quotes of the season had to be Summer as she told me, "Mom, there has to be a Santa Claus! There is NO way that you and Dad could buy TWO iPod nanos AND TWO Wii remotes!" hee! hee! hee!

We enjoyed a breakfast casserole, cinnamon blintzes, and mocha punch with Mom, Dad, Adam, and Grace...as well as played with all of the Wii toys together...before saying our goodbyes and us preparing to head over to Granny & PopPop's house for more Christmas fun. (pics to follow!!!)

Brag Books and Journals

2010-01-08T13:14:00.004-06:00

After my last blog posting, my friend Autumn asked how I made the journal and I thought I would blog about it -- it is SUPER simple -- and I figured I would include how to make board book albums too.

The journal starts off as a simple composition notebook. A little hint - they are cheaper at back-to-school time than ANY other...I usually stock up then...but they can be found with the school supplies at most stores any time of year. I use a sanding block to rough up the front and back covers a bit -- that seems to help the paper adhere to the surface. Then, I simply use Mod Podge (matte) to glue whatever paper or cardstock I so desire to my notebook. I usually cut my cardstock about 1/4 of an inch larger than needed and then use an X-acto-knife to trim it down to size after it has been glued to the notebook and allowed to dry. Once trimmed, I sand the paper along the sides to be flush with the edge of the cover and I decorate it anyway I want. I happen to have a Crop-A-Dile eyelet setter and I use it to set large eyelets to the front and the back in order to have a ribbon closure...but with or without that addition...the journal is SNAZZY!!

And then, there are the board book albums. Of course, you can buy chip-board albums from most craft stores, but you can find board books at most dollar stores for only a FRACTION of the price. The first board book albums I made were gifts - in particular, I made one for Granny Gerry with pictures of my kids as well as photos of my neices for Christmas...was it 3 Christmases ago?? I have made one ever since and have even begun to include the great-aunt/uncle and the great-grandparents by making them much smaller versions. The technique is the same as with the journal, however, you need to make sure that you REALLY sand the pages down well because the glossy surface of the books keeps the paper from adhering to the book pages. Treat each book page as a separate page with two separate pieces of paper meeting close to the inside fold. It is a trial-and-error experience on just how close you can get the paper to the inside fold of the book...if you try this...you'll see what I mean. If it's too far, you see too much of the board book...but if it is too close, you wrinkle the paper when it closes. Then, once the paper is glued down, trimmed, and the edges are sanded...you can decorate them just like any scrapbook page.

I thought I would include this slide show to give you an idea of what the finished project looks like. Again these have the eyelet closures, and I would REALLY recommend a Crop-A-Dile for that. They punch through a board book like it was just paper...AMAZING! :) I know...I'm a crafting GEEK!!! If you do try this project, I would LOVE to see your finished products -- please email me pics!

Blogging another resolution....

2010-01-07T13:56:00.006-06:00

O.K. So far blogging about my blogging resolution has gone pretty well. With this post, I will exceed the number of blogs that I posted the WHOLE last half of last year...apparently, I work well when accountable. So I am going to try this again. Another resolution that I had this year was in regards to my spiritual life. I NEED and WANT to dig into God's Word more this year - My mom told me the other day, "More of Him in twenty-ten!" and that is EXACTLY what I want. I pray that this year will be a year that I will focus on Him...as I should. I'm not going to set a CRAZY goal to read the Bible in a year...because I don't think I would do well with that and I don't necessarily need the words, I am craving relationship. What I am trying to do is read my Bible everyday and keep a prayer journal.

The composition notebook above is how my prayer journal started out. It has since become this...

See, here is the side-by-side....

I personalized it with one of my favorite scriptures about prayer...

Just in case you can't read it - It is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I made myself START the journal before I had the chance to decorate it, because I kept putting it off until I had the journal I wanted. There is NOTHING about the outside cover that makes anything INSIDE worth any more or less...so I needed to STOP procrastinating!! My journal is a hodge-podge of ideas...sort of like me...it needs to be, in order to be something that I will find useful. I don't have any hard and fast rules...as long as I do include pages that have prayer requests and room to write answers to those prayers. I also have written scripture passages in there...many about prayer...and some from my morning devotional time. And there are song lyrics that come to my mind as I am praying and reading His word.

If anyone were to pick it up, it would probably make NO sense - but that isn't the point of this journal. I simply want it to be a tool to hold me accountable to spending time with God each day and also as a reference to see how God answers the prayers that I lift up to Him. I imagine that at the end of this year, if you help hold me accountable, that I will have more than one journal filled...and I will rejoice as I see the answers to some of my prayers and cry at the answers to some of the others. But all the while, I will be growing closer to my God. Yup - no doubt about it, I want more of Him in twenty-ten!

Is It tooo Much??

2010-01-06T20:48:00.007-06:00

Forget it! I don't REALLY want to know if it is too much or not, because believe it or not - every year when I'm done putting OUT the Christmas decorations I wish I had MORE. I LOOOVE decorating for the holidays. I don't see how people can't love all of the sparkly lights and shiny objects!! This picture shows the containers it takes to store all of my Christmas things...well, almost. I realized after I took this picture that the boxes I use to store my snowglobes aren't included, nor is the ginormous Christmas tree box.I started taking down my decorations around 8 am yesterday and was putting the boxes back out in the garage at about 10:30 pm. I did take a break to feed my family a delicious and oh so nutritious meal of pizza from Little Caesars...but for the most part worked steadily all day. The tree itself is still standing guard in my dining room, sans ornaments, tree-skirt, garland, and star -- that job is left for Kyle and the kids...but other than that, the house has been de-Christmassed.
At a particularly exhausted point in the day, I realized that my Christmas decorating was much like my pregnancies. Each year, it seems like such a great idea to decorate...as a matter of fact I look FORWARD to it! I seem to forget just how difficult and time consuming it is to take it all down. See!?! Those who know the pregnancies I've had, know that each one had it's own unique set of challenges -- however, I was willing to go through it -- THREE times. (really 4 if you count the miscarriage!) There seems to be some sort of decorating amnesia that sets in so that I am willing...even excited...about the possiblity of doing it again. Let me be clear --- I noooo longer wish to have pregnancies! ha! This was just a correlation to the AMNESIA! :)

So anyways, I'm just sending this out into the cyber-world so that perhaps I will remember next year...when I'm begging Kyle the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving (he doesn't like to SEE the decorations before Thanksgiving is OVER) to at least let me put up the tree....come on it's just the tree...one tree...unless of course you let me buy the all-white tree that I'd loooove to have upstairs in the family room...the one for all of the kids ornaments. I invision it white with multi-colored LED lights...or maybe just solid blue lights since the furniture up there is demin...oh! and....

Get the picture! :)

Christmas Eve with the Cammacks

2010-01-04T21:58:00.004-06:00

OK - so I have begun to download all of the Christmas photos that I took this year and put them into slide shows...and I am starting with Christmas Eve. We were blessed to have my mom, dad, sister (Grace), and brother (Adam) for dinner, church, and even as spend-the-night company. Since our move back to Texas, we haven't spent many nights under each other's roofs...a stark contrast from all of those years in Alabama when being together meant all of us being under one roof (either Texas or Alabama) for many days. I actually MISS that! I know - I'm crazy, but a bit sentimental too.

We opened our presents Christmas Eve so that we could watch the kids enjoy them and so that Christmas morning wasn't quite as CRAZY!! :) It is a good thing because I don't think Luke's large Cars-wrapped present would have had any wrapping paper left on it by the morning. I would catch him in the formal dining room (where the tree and presents were) with his fingers on that gift...just pickin' at paper. The stinker!

Ready for a Duck Hunt

2010-01-04T21:09:00.007-06:00

Well, they may look girlie, but the Morgenroth girls can hang with the boys when it comes to huntin'...at least duck huntin' with their Daddy and Uncle Dustin. Summer got her FIRST turn to hunt with the boys over the Christmas break and she loved it enough that she DOES want to go back. Honestly, Mom had her doubts. She may have missed the point of the actual hunt...one of the first things she said to me when she got home was, "Do you know what we ate today!?! JUNK FOOD! ALL DAY!! JUNK FOOD!" Oh well, as long as she enjoyed herself! :)

I almost forgot one of my favorite pics from after the hunt. To preface it, let me say that Summer had to get up around 2:40 A.M.!!...and she probably went to bed around 10 pm...so she operated on less than 5 hours sleep and was whipped when she got home. This photo was probably taken at about 3 in the afternoon. I think she slept about 3 hours on that couch...only moving occasionally!

Half-Birthday Celebration

2010-01-02T19:54:00.006-06:00

Luke's preschool celebrates the half-birthday of those students who have summer birthdays and therefore would not be present on their ACTUAL birthday. I think it is a clever ploy to get us to bring the snack...but it is a sweet sentiment as well.The preschool has a 'no-cupcake policy' -- I know - CRAZY! So I found the no-cupcake loophole...snowman shaped glazed donuts. :) They were quite a hit with the kids!!

This was also the day that the parents could come into the class and join their preschoolers in singing Christmas songs. What fun to see them perform!! Granny & PopPop joined Kyle and myself as we cheered on our little man.

The video...if it works...was recorded with my camera so it isn't the best quality...but it gets the point across. Those Morgenroth kids like to perform!! Where in the world do they get THAT from. hee! hee! hee!

Musical Mania

2010-01-02T19:16:00.006-06:00

We had a few days in a row...a couple of weeks ago now...that were filled with fine arts! It began with Kyla's first EVER Wilder Band performance. The 5th grade band, which she is a part of, played 2 Christmas songs. They were soooo much better than I ever expected! The band director informed us that between the 5th and 6th grade bands, there were 120 students! I was amazed. That is just one of 3 intermediate schools in the district...I wonder if the others have such large bands?Then the NEXT day Kyla played piano at the Silver Tree nursing home facility here in Schertz. Actually, I played too - the two of us performed a duet to Jingle Bells. It was A LOT of fun...but I just kept telling myself..."don't mess up! don't mess up!" I was afraid that I would mess up and in turn mess her up! Thankfully we got through it without a hitch! She also performed Deck The Halls solo.

Finally, it was Summer's turn. There was the Schertz Elementary holiday performance the NEXT day. You 'have' to call it a holiday performance because it certainly isn't JUST a Christmas performance. I find it a little amusing that the kids go from singing Christ-centered songs, to secular holiday songs, to Hanukkah songs...not sure that Kwanzaa was represented...but they tried their best to be 'politically correct.' Regardless, the kids did a FABULOUS job and it was a GREAT way to get into the spirit of the holidays.

I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!

2010-01-01T12:56:00.005-06:00

Do you remember that song? It is one of those songs that every once-in-a-while my husband will launch into. Of course, that is the only line from the song that we know...not even sure if that is the title to the song. I know - we're 'not quite right'...but that is why we are perfect for each other!
Luke received AWESOME cowboy attire for Christmas from his Uncle Dustin and Aunt Lisa (and cousins - Caitlin and Taylor, of course!). It included a black felt hat, red plaid cowboy style shirt, a red bandana, and a pair of Wranglers to go with the John Deere cowboy boots he has been borrowing from his friend, Dayton. He is ready for the rodeo next month!!

2010 Resolutions

2010-01-01T12:27:00.004-06:00

Alrighty - so I've never been one to make resolutions...mostly because I can never seem to see them through for a WHOLE year...and who needs THAT kind of disappointment. ha! However, I also haven't really made myself accountable to anyone either -- sort of the mentality that it is enough that I am disappointed in myself for not seeing those resolutions through...do I really need you to be disappointed too!?! However, I am toying with the idea of letting you in on a few of mine...perhaps the accountability will keep me on track.

One resolution that I WILL share with you is my resolution to try and blog AT LEAST once a week. I always have pics and words to share, but I don't seem to get them onto the computer. I hope that this year will be different. NO, check that - I RESOLVE that this year will be different.

I haven't uploaded my Chrismtas pics yet, but I did upload these pics from my NEW camera! Yes - I put ALL of my Christmas money and mad-money toward the purchase of a Nikon5000 SLR camera. I am LOVING IT!!!! It may be wrong to love a camera...but it feels so right! ha! ha!

I finally put up the pictures in my foyer that I had been talking about for about a year now.

I found those large 8x10 frames at Target...they are the kind that the picture floats between the two pieces of glass...and then I added the vinly letters (purchased from Stampin' Up). Those are two of my new favorite things! I want more of the frames for family photos that I want to hang in my bedroom and I want LARGE vinyl phrasing (that I found at Hobby Lobby) for waaaay too many places in my home. They need to have some 40% off coupons on-line soon! ha! I'm just not sure how they will work on the texturing on my wall -- I've seen it in other people's homes on textured walls and although it is not 'ideal' it still looks fabulous. I'll have to let you know...when the coupons come out...I did spend all of that mad-money, remember!?! :)

Keep On Praying for Noah...Please!

2009-12-10T08:15:00.003-06:00

Well, I continue to pray for Noah -- what a blessing it has been to follow the Crowe's on their journey via their blog http://www.prayfornoah.weebly.com . They found out this week that the pathology of the tumor was malignant and are currently waiting for a protocol for treatment from one of the the world's best cancer pathologists - a doctor at Johns Hopkins. To say that this isn't the news they were hoping for is an understatment. However, we know that God is bigger than this diagnosis!! They are holding firm to the knowledge that God is walking them right on through this.

This Friday Noah will have a 3 part surgery - he will be having a port put in for his chemotherapy treatments, he is having a skin graft to repair the burn he received in the MRI, and he will have a spinal tap to rule out a cancer threat in his spinal fluid. John David and Jessica are thankful that all of this can be done at one time...but of course, as parents, they wish they could take the burden of the surgery and treatments on themselves. They were told that it could be 6 months to 1 year before the treatments are complete.

Please pray that they will continue to feel the very REAL presence of God. John David's prayer request is as follows...

I am asking specifically that you pray for Noah to remain full of joy and peace as he goes through this treatment, that Jessica and I remain strong, that our light shine and that God be glorified through this season of our lives.

If you have a chance to read their blog, John David posted about getting a "No" answer from God when it came to their pleas for benign pathology results. It is EXCELLENT! It is encouraging to all of us who at one time or another have been discouraged by the answer that we have received to prayer. I would try to give you a summary...but I fear that I wouldn't do it justice...it really is best to read it for yourselves.

Praying for Noah

2009-11-25T08:09:00.005-06:00

I have all sorts of photos that I want to post. They are of my car's vicious attack on the garage door last week, but something much more serious is on my mind right now.

I have a SEVERE feeling of helplessness and I read updates from a sweet couple in Alabama - John David and Jessica Crowe - as they battle an aggressive form of brain cancer in their son, Noah. John David is the worship leader at Friendship Church in Athens, Alabama. I had the priviledge of singing with him many Sunday mornings during worship and I know he and Jessica both walk very closely with the Lord. However, their faith is being tested at this time as they struggle to put one foot in front of the other to walk down this tough road. The beautiful thing is that they are allowing God to lead them and it is AWESOME and WONDERFUL to see their faith in action -- if only the circumstances weren't sooo challenging. (To see their writing and updates on Noah, as well as photos of this precious little boy, you can go to http://www.prayfornoah.weebly.com/.)

I just want to ask anyone who comes across this blog to pray PERSISTENTLY for Noah. I use the term persistence because it was in KidzVenture just this past week that we talked about praying w/persistence. I joked with the kidz because our Bible verse was 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and our translation (NLT) stated, "Keep on praying." I had the kidz read the verse 3 times with me...one right after the other...and said - "There. Now you have memorized a Bible verse this week." They laughed, but if no one else had it memorized - I did - and I have needed it.

We spoke about praying with persistence being more than whining and asking God for the same things over and over again. Persistence comes in to play when God is saying wait or you feel like he hasn't answered just yet. Persistence means walking with God in an active way while continuing to pray for something that you think God would want. But all the time being willing to accept God's will in the situation. That sounds soooo good on paper (or the computer screen) but to walk it out is a VERY different story. I find myself getting discouraged and giving up when my prayers take a while to be answered. I know now that my focus is all wrong.

Noah has a long road ahead of him - perhaps 2 more months in Birmingham for treatments, etc. His cancer is most likely malignant. It was the size of a grown man's fist. They weren't able to get it all because of the proximity to the brainstem. But every step of the way, God has sent Christ followers to minister to the Crowes...even the team of doctors and nurses that performed Noah's surgery yesterday PRAYED for him and themselves as they began. God is using John David and Jessica at Children's Hospital to minister to other parents who are also hurting...but who see something sooo different in the Crowe family. God's hope.

The Bible verse that they are clinging to at this time is this. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." Romans 8:28 NLT

I am going to purpose to be persistent to pray for them. Will you join me?

Pumpkin Guts are STINKY!!

2009-11-13T14:06:00.010-06:00

I am sooo behind on posts!! But I came across this picture again today and I had to put it on the blog and explain! This is what Luke thought of our pumpkin carving this year - "IT'S STINKY!!" He would walk into the kitchen and make the most hilarious face and immediately cover up his nose and announce those words to us. Needless to say, he didn't do very much to help prep the pumpkins for carving -- and it was HIS idea for us to do this.

This year we tried templates for the first time. I just googled 'pumpkin carving templates' and explored a couple of web sites until I came up with a few that I wanted. I wanted a silly pumpkin and Kyla's vote was for a vampire pumpkin -- I think we both got close to what we wanted. It was MUCH easier to use a template than to do the 'free-style' carving that we had always done before. In the past we drew on the pumpkin w/a sharpie marker and attempted to cut along the lines -- it always worked out fine...but was never EXACTLY like we had planned. Next year maybe I'll even try an 'artsy' pumpkin -- but I'll have to convince the kids that is what they want first - ha!

Summer didn't seem to find the pumpkin guts too stinky. Look at how close she is getting to them!

At 10 years of age - Kyla may be the 'expert' in the family when it comes to pumpkin preparation. (She already is on SOOO many other things - ha!)

Trick or Treat!

2009-11-03T17:00:00.004-06:00

Trick-or-treating has become a BIG deal for us since we moved back to Texas. To be honest, we NEVER once took the kids trick-or-treating door-to-door in Alabama (the Haneys did once, but we didn't). That sounds soooo terrible...but they ALWAYS had pumpkins FULL of candy before Halloween ever came and went. At our church they had trunk-or-treating at the fall festival...where people would line the parking lot and hand out candy at their automobiles. Talk about covering a lot of square footage QUICKLY...it was VERY efficient! On Halloween night, we never had many trick-or-treaters because our house set sooo far off of the road...you wouldn't drive up to it if you didn't know who lived there...so we were able to let the actual Halloween night sneak right by and the kids were none the wiser. Advance a couple of years and now we live smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood where ALL of the kids head out for candy. No more hiding from it so we have embraced it!

This year - we had a pirate girl (Kyla), a candy corn witch (Summer), and a boxer (Luke) - as well as Princess Jasmine (Caitlin) and Snow White (Taylor). It was WONDERFUL that Halloween was on a Saturday AND that we received a bonus hour!! I'm not sure how many trick-or-treaters came by the house...PopPop stayed to hand out the candy this year...but I know that it was ALOT. We went to more houses this year than ever before...mostly because there ARE more houses in our subdivision than ever before. And more to come - wonder how much candy there will be NEXT year!?! ha!

The Mis-Adventures of DermaBond Boy

2009-10-12T15:21:00.005-05:00

Today has been an emotionally draining day. One of those days as a mother when you have had such a RUSH of adrenaline that by mid-afternoon you feel as though it is midnight. It has been waaaay too long...once again....since my last post, but I couldn't resist sitting down at the computer this afternoon and writing about DermaBond Boy.

Dermabond. That sure does have a ring to it, right?? One of those scientific words that just rolls off your tongue. Today, thanks to Luke, I had the opportunity to see Dermabond in action. I don't know precisely how he did it - I found him face down on the bathroom floor...arms straight out in front of him as if he were trying to fly...and collapsable potty stool next to him, collapsed, on the floor. It only took a few seconds to hear the crashing sound and then the wailing of one hurt little boy. And only a few seconds more for me to get to him and see the blood...on his chin.

As soon as I saw the cut, I knew a trip to the doctor was coming. It was just too earily similar to Kyla's laceration from the ice-skating rink last year. However, I didn't know if it would need a stitch or not. Thankfully, it didn't - dermabond should do the job nicely. It sure was faster than stitches...and anything that keeps a shot from being given MUST be good. (at least according to Luke) I hope that Dermabond Boy will stay out of harms way for a long, long time and that there won't be a sequal anytime soon!!!

I figure since he is the topic of this post I should post his 1st day of preschool pictures. I can't believe that I didn't...especially since the girl's pics are on here. I guess the third child really DOES get the left-overs. ha! He is attending Universal City United Methodist Church Preschool (say THAT 3 times fast) on Wednesday and Friday mornings - it would be EVERY day if it was up to him. He LOVES it!! I love having a couple of mornings to myself, and I never have ANY trouble finding things to do!!

First Day of School!

2009-08-24T07:50:00.004-05:00

Well, it has officially begun. The rushing pace of life after summer has swept us up and we are now being pulled along by the current. Or maybe I should say the kids are being pulled by the current, because I am sitting in a quiet house...typing on the computer...enjoying a warm cup of coffee.

This morning went flawlessly. Neither girl 'allowed' me to walk them in this year. Summer gave it some serious thought, but decided that she could find the gym all by herself (she was having to enter through a different door at the back of the school this year...so she gave it VERY serious consideration...we're talking a back-and-forth-many-many-times type of consideration). Kyla, on the other hand, quickly made up her mind that her mom was NOT to come in with her. A friend from church was a God-send...she was walking her son in and asked Kyla if she wanted to walk in with them...PERFECT! She walked in w/Cheryl no problem....so apparently it wasn't a no-mom rule...just a no-Mom rule. ha!

It is so quiet here because Luke spent the night with Granny & PopPop. They thought it might really help to ease some of the stress on the first day of school...especially since Luke doesn't really understand that he doesn't start school the 'exact' same day as his girlies. They were sooo right! It was downright peaceful this morning! What a blessing!

It took about 30 minutes to do the round trip driving from the house to the two schools this morning - it isn't a far distance...the elementary school is only about a 3 minute drive from the house...the intermediate school is about 2 miles away...but there are 4 school zones that you have to drive through to get from our house to both schools - CRAZY! And I saw the signs - NO cell phones in the school zones now, too - that's new! I guess I'll be staying off the phone...I'd have to hang up every few minutes - ha! I better get used to all of the driving around - this is only the first of many years when the kids will be at different schools.

Back to School Pedi-s

2009-08-21T14:47:00.015-05:00

Well, my girls feel like they are super stars!! As a very sweet back-to-school surprise, their Granny and PopPop treated them to their very first pedicure.

They were sooo funny - Summer spent a lot of time giggling because it tickled when they exfoliated her feet. And the women who performed their pedicures were impressed with their manners and how kindly they talked about their parents, so they painted flowers on their toes for free!! I guess the girls will have to figure out what shoes they have that will show off their toes...and match their first day of school outfits.

School starts on Monday. I don't really care for that...it will make for one very LOOOONG first week back. I'm a firm believer that the first week of school should start on a Wednesday or Thursday. That way by the NEXT Monday, most of the glitches in schedules and classrooms are fixed and the real learnin' can begin! But they don't ask my opinion when figuring out the school calendar around here - imagine that!

Summer had a back-to-school night last night and we found out that she will have Mrs. Maryfield for 3rd grade. I'm very pleased - she was Kyla's 4th grade teacher last year...excellent teacher...sweet but firm.

Kyla won't meet her teachers until Monday - no meet-the-teacher/back-to-school night for her. It is a little odd to me, but I guess that will be the 'norm' for intermediate school. Intermediate school!?! That just doesn't seem possible. Some of my most vivid memories of school start in the 5th grade. I don't know if it is because that was the year that I went from private school to public (talk about a culture SHOCK!)...or just because of the age. They are going to post the teachers up at the school sometime this evening...and we'll drive by the school and see. It won't really do us any good - we don't know but a couple of teachers there anyways...and from what one of them has told me - she isn't in her class. But, at least she'll have names - a name is better than no name, I guess.

And then there is Luke. He is going to "preschool-school" two mornings a week this year. He won't let us just call it school...or preschool...it is only to be called "preschool-school" and he has decided that they will teach him how to drive. Wow! I hope that he won't be too disappointed. He could be talking about the tricycle track they have in the center courtyard -they will ride around it and learn 'traffic laws' - but I'm not so sure. You just don't know with that one - he could be talking about driving a car...a motorcycle...heavy equipment...you just don't know. He will have to wait until after Labor Day to start school. The 2 weeks between the girls going to school and his starting may be the looongest two weeks of his and my life...ha!

WAY! WAY! WAY behind!

2009-06-29T16:19:00.006-05:00

WOW! I wonder how home-school mom's do it!?! They manage to run a household...stay up to date with life...all the time having their kids under foot. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE having my kids here...I LOVE the summer schedule - or is it the 'lack there-of'?? - but somewhere along the way the time to keep things current vaporizes!! ha!

I always go into the summer forgetting that. Then, for a few weeks I am frustrated with how hard it is just to run the register for the checkbook...or fill out the bill spreadsheets...or get to the grocery store...or POST TO THE BLOG! :) But then, I remember that in just a few short months...life will be back to the school-schedule-pace...and I'll be wishing for summertime once again. So for now - I am trying to EMBRACE the fact that I am behind! That is what the summer is ALL about - at least for me!

I have pictures on the computer from Kyla's birthday, Luke's birthday, the girl's haircuts (Summer's is HUGE - a donation to Locks of Love!!), and even the trip to the beach we just got home from. But then again...all of that has happened in the past month. NO WONDER I'M BEHIND!!

I had this picture of Summer that I took on Saturday...I had to post it. I think I'm going to get it blown up...and printed in black-in-white. I didn't ask her to stand like this...or hold her hand up like that (she is actually touching her necklace)...it was just one of those moments...it reflects her TRUE self! I want to have it hanging on my wall FOREVER!

My grand plan was to get some great pics of the kids on the beach...however, I knew that the lighting was going to be an issue. My delima - I could get the kids out of bed at the crack of dawn so that we could drive to the beach for the pictures w/GREAT lighting...or I could wait, let them sleep in...so that even with not-so-great lighting I might actually capture a smile! I chose the later...especially since we were going to the aquarium for the rest of the day...and naps were not on the agenda. These were some of my favorites...I'll post the more candid playing in the ocean photos later...who knows when...school may be back in, first! ha!

Jazz Under The Stars

2009-05-29T08:20:00.008-05:00

I must say...as an adult it is genuinely FUN to hang out with my mom and dad. I thought that my parents were 'fun' when I was a teenager...but I would NOT have ever admitted it...nor would I have desired to hang out with them. By the time I would have enjoyed their company again...I was married and living 1000 miles away. So yet another benefit of moving back to Texas is being able to hang out with my parents (Kyle's parents too btw!).

They invited us last weekend to a jazz performance at my 'little' brother's school. My 'little' brother, Adam, may be 19 years YOUNGER than me...but he is now OFFICIALLY taller than my husband...oh my! He has spent many years playing classical guitar, and he is REALLY good - at least he has been on those rare occasions where we can convince him to put on a mini-concert for us. He picked up the bass guitar just so he could play in the jazz band...and he has some MAD SKILLS!! (that IS a compliment...right???...ha!) Not only does he play with the jazz band, but he also plays in the jazz combo - a smaller, more exclusive group, that travels and performs at functions, etc.

My grandmother was also present for the concert and my how she enjoyed it!! Alot of the music was from the 1940s and 50s...what she considered "her music." They even played "Sentimental Journey" - which was my grandfather's and her song. She mentioned that she couldn't count the number of times the two of them had danced to that song. My grandfather was VERY musical - he picked the guitar up very late in life - and it would have pleased him to NOOOO end to see his youngest grandson playing guitar. Alas, he died in 1995...Adam was not quite 4 years old. So, it was bittersweet for my grandmother to watch - enjoying it herself...but missing my G-dad terribly!!

I must apologize to my mom for the antics with her phone. OK - so perhaps the 'apology' is more of an excuse to re-live the hilarity?? I hope that by now she has taken the time to figure out how to use the camera....and change the wall-paper. Kyle and I might not be so 'kind' as to reset everything back the NEXT time. moooo-waaaaah!!! (diabolical laugh)

15 years!!!

2009-05-28T22:33:00.003-05:00

Well, I think it is kind of funny that I am upstairs posting a blog about my 15th wedding anniversay, meanwhile Kyle is downstairs playing the Wii game that I gave him (Tiger Woods golf...or something along those lines). I guess that is what 15 years of marriage does! ha!

We had a fabulous evening! We ate at the County Line...really pigged out would be a more appropriate term. It was a great evening - just the two of us - and we took some time to reflect over the last 15 years and allowed ourselves to think about the next 15. Oh my! That was eye-opening!! It occured to us that our baby boy would be about ready to graduate from high school in another 15 years...let alone the ages of his sisters...23 and 25. At that moment we hoped and prayed that the next 15 years would NOT fly by so quickly as the last 15 years have. Although I do think we should have added a caviat that would allow us to change our minds when our girls get to that 'oh so pleasant' teenager stage...I have a feeling that I will want to speed through that time period and get to the mid-twenties when they will consider that Kyle and I will again have an IQ that can be respected.

I wish that I can say that 15 years of marriage has been easy-breezy...but I have to admit, there have been times when it has been hard work...for BOTH of us. However, when it is all said and done, there isn't another man on the planet that I would rather spend the REST OF MY LIFE with! I thank God for crossing our paths 19 years ago (almost exactly) at that scholarship interview...where Kyle held my purse for me. That is the man I feel in love with...that is the man I am in love with...that is the man I will be in love with...forever.

Summer's Dance Recital

2009-05-18T14:54:00.003-05:00

After missing two weeks of dance rehearsals due to the swine flu break, I wondered if Summer's dance recital would be postponed. However, in true show-biz fashion and 'the show must go on' mentality Summer performed with the Cibolo Hermann Sons dancers at Texas Lutheran University yesterday. She complained most of Saturday about being nervous and not really wanting to perform, but once she was out on the stage during the dress rehearsal she was fine. She loved it! She couldn't WAIT for the performance!

She has danced for 3 years now...but she hadn't performed since she was 5. The year we moved she missed the recital and then last year she choose soccer over dance...so it had been 3 years since she had been on stage...I think a few nerves were justified! The girls danced to True Blue by Madona - (that is the blue tap outfit) - and Sunrise by Nora Jones (that is the yellow ballet outfit). I liked them both, but my favorite was the tap routine - the parents and kids voted for that for their group photo as well.

Summer was blessed with LOTS of family to watch her - Granny, PopPop, Mime, Grace, Dustin, Lisa, Caitlin, Taylor, and of course Kyla, Luke, Kyle, and me! Yet another instance when it is WONDERFUL to be near the family - they can share in your children's exciting moments. It's GREAT! I was able to make two flower arrangements for her out of all of the flowers she received - she felt like such a DIVA! You can probably tell that by the smile from ear to ear in her pictures! ha!

Busy! Busy! Busy!

2009-05-18T13:43:00.000-05:00

After our swine-flu break, life seemed to pick up at a rapid pace and I have felt about 10 steps behind ever since. The break extended our soccer season yet another week. However, we FINALLY finished the season Saturday - a close game...but sadly, a loss. Kyla played goalie the 2nd half of the game and did an OUTSTANDING job. She even had a stop where she went for the ball and was practically tackled by an opposing player...she has a scrape right at her hair-line on the nape of her neck - a battle scar. A little frightening for mom...but it was something for her to talk about all day. ha!

It stresses me out to watch her play goalie. I wonder if she realizes all the pressure that 'should' be on her in that position?? There were 3 different kids who played that position this year...interchangably...and the coach awarded them with a special trophy at the end of the season party. Can you tell how proud Kyla is of hers??

Coach Mark has been an excellent coach these past four seasons that we have played with him. We learned at our last game that this will be his last year as coach of the Prowlers. His son, Stephen, was accepted by one of the Lions' teams - no surprise, he is an EXCELLENT player - and so we will be without him AND Stephen in the fall. It will be interesting to see what the fall will bring. I'm sure whatever it is, will be a fun new adventure to Kyla.

Swine Flu Break Week #2

2009-05-18T12:55:00.000-05:00

By the second week of the swine flu break the natives were getting a little restless! Luke LOVED having his girls home all day long - they provide him endless hours of entertainment - but with no swimming pool open....and really nowhere to go....the girls' patience was running thin. You can imagine this was doing the same thing to mine!

Granny & PopPop stepped in just in time to save us. They had Kyla and Summer spend the night on alternating nights. Kyla went first, on Monday...and Summer was going to go on Wednesday...after we were to get home from the Dinosaur Musical (another sneak out and about). However, just as quickly as it all began - it was to end. We got a phone call on Tuesday evening (5/5) that the kids were to be back at school on Thursday (5/7). It seems the CDC reversed it's decision to close schools for 2 weeks and so our district had permission to re-open. Luckily, Summer could spend Tuesday night at Granny and PopPop's house and THEN we could go to the musical and finish our swine flu break strong!

We saw the Dinosaur Musical at the Magik Theater. What a GREAT job they do! We have seen 3 productions there now...and it is fun to pick out the actors/actresses based on the other roles we have seen them in. For instance - we knew the prince dinosaur was also Cry Baby William from Junnie B...and we recognized Junnie B...and Meanie Jim...and the actress who had played the mouse in "If you Give A Mouse a Cookie", etc. ha! :)

When Thursday morning rolled around, it was as if it were the first day of school. The girls were excited to see their friends....of course! We have since found out that the days will NOT have to be made up. The state is allowing us an exemption because the circumstances of the closure were not in the school district's control. However, we have had to deal with the cancellation of sooo many fun, end-of-school activities - field trips, field day, talent show, even the science fair. But I guess we can deal with that, if it means we won't have to stay in school until mid-June!!

Swine-Flu Break Week #1

2009-05-18T09:45:00.000-05:00

Well, let's just say that life took an interesting turn a few weeks ago here in Guadalupe county! The swine flu 'epidemic' hit a local high school and before you knew it the ENTIRE school district was shut down for almost two weeks. We found out the schools were closing from a recorded phone call on Sunday afternoon - April 26th. We were told to keep the kids home for the week...avoid contact with other kids...stay away from crowds, etc. It was CRAZY! However, we did our best to comply (until Friday). I must admit I did have to take the kids to the store with me in the middle of the week. With such little notice, I didn't exactly have the pantry stocked for 24-7 home life.

The first week was novel...we stayed in...played the Wii...or played in the backyard. We weren't supposed to go to our neighborhood park - and ALL the city parks were closed...and the library too. However, on Friday, we headed north on I-35 and went to Mime's house. Mime treated us to Chuck E. Cheese for lunch and the kids had a WONDERFUL time! Luke must have tried EVERY game in the place! It was sooo nice to get out and about - but we DID use Germ-X at every turn...just in case!

On the way home from Mime's, we got a phone call from Kyle who had just driven past the school district office on his way to grab a bite to eat. The automated sign read that school was also closed for the next week. By this point, Kyla and I were over it and disappointed, however, Summer was excited for yet another week at home.

2nd Annual Morgenroth Easter Egg Hunt

2009-04-29T09:33:00.000-05:00

Granny and PopPop outdid themselves this year in the 2nd annual Morgenroth Easter Egg Hunt. I think the total number was 22 family members and friends in attendance...7 kids hunted eggs. The younger children hunted eggs in the 'backyard' area...but the older kids hunted them out in the back pasture - a CHALLENGE!! :) They had a blast...although by the end, when there were only a few more eggs to find, it seemed that patience began to run thin and meltdowns were only a few more minutes away. Why is it that the LAST egg is the hardest one to find?? ha! :)

This year, my parents, brother, and sister were able to make the trip over from Pflugerville...so we were able to celebrate w/EVERYONE at one time...VERY special!! Also, since Summer's birthday was the next day...on Easter...we went ahead and celebrated her bday with the family as well. I think my mom was in 'shock' at the amount of food that is served when 'us' Morgenroths get together...she just couldn't believe it!! I thought it was funny....'cause I thought we did a MUCH better job at being 'conservative' this year! Imagine her shock if we had really out-done ourselves in the food department.

There were sooo many years that we couldn't be with our family on Easter and we usually had something we could do -- many fun memories of Easter at the Hughes' home come to mind! However, there is something very special about being near our family once again and watching the kids hunt the eggs that their grandparents have carefully hidden for them. It brought to mind the egg hunts that Granny Opal used to hold...however, her eggs were MUCH harder to find!!! The orange egg hidden in the pomegranate tree was 'Granny Opal-esque'...to coin a new word...I think she would have been proud of that one!

I LOVE to tell the story about my first egg hunt at Granny Opal's home. When your boyfriend tells you that his 80 year old grandmother had hidden Easter eggs...and each person is in charge of finding ONE egg...what comes to mind? For me...I thought 'how cute!' I didn't think it was so cute when I was practically digging through her flower beds looking for my ONE egg. She had a 'knack' for hiding those eggs. The first egg I ever found was BURIED under a very large bush. I had to move the branches back just to see a nickle sized glimmer of brightly colored plastic. Then, I proceeded to DIG that puppy out of the ground...I was ready to be DONE! ha!

It makes me smile to think that my children will have memories like that with their grandparents!! I hope that this slideshow will help you enjoy some of the moments that we enjoyed that day....

Easter Sunday 2009

2009-04-29T08:41:00.000-05:00

How is it that time seems to escape me whenever I am trying to stay on top of posting pictures and writing about the events in our lives!?! I realized this morning that I posted these pictures on my facebook page, but never here on the blog. So I decided to make a slideshow of them in order to show more pictures...in a 'smaller' space. I apologize to those with dial-up internet...I think that it doesn't give you access to all of the pictures, however, I think that I forwarded the facebook link to those of you who I knew look at the blog and might have trouble seeing them all.

Easter Sunday was busy...but FABULOUS. We not only celebrated our Savior's resurrection...but Summer's 8th birthday as well. What a blessed day!

Lessons Learned from Our Children

2009-03-27T08:49:00.000-05:00

I hope that is no secret that I am a Christian. It certainly isn't something that I EVER want to hide! It is actually something that I wish and hope for anyone that would ever read this blog. Usually, my posts are light...they are great 'fluff' pieces on my family...the writing is meant to entertain...the pictures are full of the fun we have had. But today, I want to post something just a little different. I want to tell you the AMAZING lesson that Summer taught me yesterday.

I must admit, I often don't give Summer enough credit. She is almost 8 now...and drama! drama! drama! I don't enjoy drama...I don't have TIME for drama...and I feel I loose patience with it rather quickly. I have often thought that her DRAMA is a way that she will NOT be overlooked as the middle child! She was born with drama...9 weeks early...bedrest for 6 weeks before that....so why does drama now suprise me!?! ha! However, in the midst of all of that drama is a soft heart...a heart that I now respect more than ever...let me explain.

This has been a tough week for Summer. She has two friends who have turned against her...I know, drama!...but it has wounded her. She got into the van two days ago and told me her day was "terrible!" and that two of her 'friends' said that she wasn't their friend anymore and ignored her the whole day. Sadly, my first response was more like 'what did YOU do?' instead of 'what happened?' and it put her on the defensive all over again. Perhaps I need some lessons on mothering. :(

Yesterday, the same problem - neither girl would talk to her all day. She tried to figure out what had happened. To the best of her understanding, they think she said something negative to them while they were standing in the lunch line...and for that...they are no longer her friends...have I mentioned how much I DON'T LIKE DRAMA!?!

Anyways, last night Summer and I sat down and just took a few minutes to talk. I know the girls' parents...I know the girls...I wondered if I should intervene...I wanted to know Summer's opinion...I wanted to be her advocate, if that is what she wanted. I wanted to 'educate' her on friendship and what a true friend really was. And then she WOWed me!! She told me of a brief exchange that she had with one of the girls. She tried to talk to one of those girls...and from the best of my recollection the conversation went a little like this:

Summer: Why won't you talk to me?

Girl: You aren't my friend anymore!

Summer: Even if you say I'm not your friend anymore, I can still treat you like one.

Girl: Well, don't!

O.K. As a Christian...as a mom...really even just as a human being her response AMAZED me! I immediately responded with - "SUMMER! That is EXACTLY how Jesus would have responded!" I could tell her in the midst of this - God was showing her how to be just like Jesus! That brought a smile to her face! It brought tears to my eyes!

There was a framed Ann Geddes picture in the girls bedroom for many years that had a caption that said something like - having a child means having a piece of your heart walk around outside of your body for the rest of your life. That is sooo TRUE! I see what Summer is going through and it breaks my heart. However, what an awesome opportunity for God to shine through her. I found myself praying this morning that God would take this away from her...but then I stopped myself...and prayed for God's will in the situation instead. Boy...that was a HARD prayer!! It brings tears to my eyes even now. But I remind myself that God is faithful! He is right there with Summer and he can show Himself greatly in her time(s) of need!

I just wanted to share that you you. Perhaps it will encourage you! Perhaps it will challenge you! I know that it has challenged me. Let me also leave you with this scripture:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV

Big Boy Bed!

2009-03-15T23:18:00.000-05:00

SOOOO much attention to Kyla and Summer...and Luke has such exciting news! He is now sleeping in his BIG BOY bed...AND he is working on potty training. We/he has been fairly successful at BOTH. He spent his first night in the bed on Saturday...and he giggled and giggled as I tucked him in. He also spent his first FULL day of potty training on Saturday...and did EXCELLENT until the evening...when he had accident...after accident...after accident. I felt bad for him...having no nap may have been a factor. But today was a new day and w/a 'rough' start this a.m....a couple more accidents...we were accident free all evening.

I am thankful that he seems to be 'catching' on...and each accident is getting less and less of a 'mess.' We figured that spring break would be as good of time as any to train...I have my extra sets of eyes (Kyla and Summer)....and hopefully, we will spend less time out and about because most of our activities are on hold this week.

That is all I will mention on that subject...some of you may be squeemish about it. (sorry) But hey!...when you are writing about a two year old...your subject matter can turn squeemish REAL quick. Just be thankful that I don't have pictures of him on the potty...or of the 'mess' in the potty. I watched a re-run of John and Kate Plus 8 (or as Luke calls them - John and 8 Plus Kate) and she actually takes the children's pictures WITH their first 'poop' in the potty. I like photos...but NOT that much....you can say, "THANK YOU!" now. ha!

Parent Watch at Dance

2009-03-15T22:59:00.000-05:00

I am beginning to think that Summer is really learning dance. I'm not trying to be cruel here, but what parent hasn't watched their child attempt something and thought, "I'm not sure they understand what they are SUPPOSED to be doing." ?? This has been the first year for Summer to be in dance that I see her learning the routines and trying her BEST to remember her steps...I love to see the effort she is putting into it! It makes it as ENJOYABLE for me as for her.

We had the opportunity to peek in on their dance class last week...so of course, I took a few photos too. They are working hard on their numbers for their recital - they will perform one ballet number (to a song that had the word "sunrise" in it alot...I wasn't familiar w/it) and one tap number (that one is to "True Blue"....a blast from MY past...ha!). I can't wait for May 17th to come around!! I think my girl is going to WOW me!

A 'little' blurry...but I love the action in this photo!

Great extension of her arms!! She is improving sooo much this year!!

Dancing buddies - Jenna, Katie Jo, & Summer (all Schertz Elem. 2nd graders)

First Soccer Game....

2009-03-15T17:52:00.000-05:00

I would think that all of the rainy days we had last week would have given me PLENTY of opportunity to get caught up w/my blog postings...but somehow I am LESS productive on rainy days. Today...the first SUNNY day in what seems like FOREVER...and here I am, up on the computer, uploading pictures. Go figure...but at least this week is Spring Break...I should have PLENTY of opportunity to be outdoors by week's end! (this includes a camping trip to Choke Canyon - please send up prayers...ha!)

Kyla is on the SAYSAT Prowlers team for the 4th season now (two seasons each year...one fall and one spring). I like that we have had the same coach and several of the same players from year to year. The consistency is nice! It is fun to see how much the kids have actually learned the game of soccer - they have come such a LOOOONG way! I snapped a few pics from the first game....I'll just post them w/a few captions. BTW - they won...4-0...Kyla even scored a goal. GO PROWLERS!

SAYSAT Prowlers (U-10)

Kyla - All Smiles....As Usual!

Kyla - She DOES have a game face!

Chasing Down the Ball - With Intensity!

Luke - Practicing his "Good Game" slaps for after the game

Spa Party

2009-02-28T11:24:00.000-06:00

I am amazed at how quickly my youngest daughter, Summer, has become a young lady...liking all things that make her feel more grown up. Her friend...and neighbor...Jenna had a Spa Party for her 8th birthday. It was an event that I would have enjoyed myself!! They soaked their feet and hands, had manicures and even facials. Jenna's mom, Jennifer, fixed 'spa foods' - such as fruit skewers and wrap sandwiches - even the cake had a 'spa-like' feel thanks to the beautiful fresh fruit on the top. It was priceless to see these girls light up when they were pampered. But why should I be surprised!?! Doesn't a spa day do the same for me!!

Now That's Just Silly....String (?)

2009-02-28T10:32:00.000-06:00

OK - so you have to know my mom's playful side to get these pictures. My mom has always been able to lay out the rules and boundaries...but she could always balance it with fun and laughter. She was the mom that had fake puke, fake poop, and a conehead to wear (remember them from SNL?)....and knew just when and where to place them to get the most horrified response. It brings a smile to my face now...not always the case as a teenager. ha!

This year, despite my mom being very sick around the holidays, she went to the Dollar Store and STOCKED UP on Silly String. She was determined to have a silly string fight with her kids and grandkids . It may not have lasted but a few minutes -- but more laughs and joyful screams were uttered in those few minutes than probably the whole day (...and it was a fun day). I think these pictures captured a glimpse into that fun!!

Future Hall Of Famer

2009-02-28T10:18:00.000-06:00

OK - so I don't know if it will be the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame...or the Baseball Hall of Fame...but what parent doesn't think their kid is destined for greatness. :) If we could just take the 'drug' factor out of either prospect...it wouldn't be so bad. What has this world come to that we have to mention 'drug factor' in the same sentence with baseball!?! Enough of that soapbox!! I just had to post these pictures of Luke....just being Luke....which to us is just so "stinkin' cute." (to steal a favorite quote...about Luke...from one of my friends).

Blogging Update....

2009-02-19T09:08:00.000-06:00

Wow!! So much happens in such a short period of time...and then the pictures, etc. add up and quickly I'm overwhelmed...much like in my scrapbooks. I would like to add that I HAVE done a little scrapbooking the past few weeks...and I'm FINALLY to my cousin's wedding. Of course, that was in October....2004....but how fun it will be to design layouts for that BEAUTIFUL 'event.' I have never been to wedding more beautiful...nor probably ever will be to another one quite so nice...so it is fun to relive that moment over and over again w/the pictures. If any of you have 'dabbled' w/the idea of scrapbooking - I highly recomment it!! It isn't something that you have to do all the time...it obviously isn't something that you have to stay caught up w/ - just look how FAR behind I am...ha! But I like to think that it makes me a better mom emotionally - much like Starbucks. hee! hee!

Anyways...stay tuned for pics to follow...I was able to change my blog background today...that was a new and surprisingly 'easy' experience...not sure that I will keep it like this...but it was the first one that caught my eye. I didn't see spending alot of time picking out the 'perfect' background when I wasn't even sure I would be able to make it work. ya know!?!

Wii!!

2009-02-01T22:10:00.001-06:00

Well, I have broken ALL kinds of "rules" with this post...but they are MY rules to break. Rule #1 - never post things out of order...well, once I post this I will have jumped forward and backward and now I have left myself chronologically CONFUSED!

I wanted to show a few pictures of the girls from Christmas...when we first got the Wii. That had to be the all time GREATEST gift that Santa could have brought....and it kept us busy virtually ALL of Christmas break! We didn't spend very much time in the great outdoors (a shame too, because is was BEAUTIFUL here!)...we spent many hours on the Wii.

We were trying to defeat Bowser (sp?) on Super Mario Galaxy, trying to learn all the dances for High School Musical 3 Dance, learning how many different types of instruments are played on Wii Music, sinking battleships, playing Sorry, bowling, tennis, baseball, boxing, or MY FAVORITE...learning how to 'play' electric guitar w/Guitar Hero. I'll have all of you know that I can 'ace' the songs on medium level now...my next step MUST be as a professional axe for some GREAT band. :-)...or maybe just learning how to play a REAL guitar. ha!

I would probably be horrified to know the number of hours we actually spent on the Wii during Christmas Break, but I am glad to report that we have been able to wean ourselves from it slowly. Honestly, considering it was our first video gaming system...I think we did pretty good.

Look It's Me...With Junie B. !!

2009-01-19T23:09:00.000-06:00

What fun we had at the Magik Theater this weekend as we attended the production of Junie B. Jones and a Little Monkey Business!! Granny Gerry was generous enough to take the girls and myself and I think we can honestly say that a good time WAS had by ALL! The actress who played Junie B. was FABULOUS...she had the part nailed...as did the other cast members. It was a small cast - a couple of actors/actresses played multiple roles - and the set was minimal - but PERFECTLY served its purpose. The GIANT school supplies grabbed our attention the minute we walked in the room. The show had song and dance numbers that were choreographed so that the adults were laughing at one thing while the kids were laughing at another (much like a Disney Pixar movie).

If you haven't ever read the story...or had your daughter read it to you :-), the story revolves around a show-and-tell in Junie's class. One of Junie's friends, Lucille, comes dressed as a princess for show-and-tell. Because we were sitting on the FRONT row of the theater, we were able to see Lucille's shoes VERY clearly. It was sooo funny! Summer was wearing the EXACT same shoes as Lucille. I mean - EXACT. We each bought them at Target last year. ha! Of course, I had to get a photo of that!!!

The next production at the theater is of the book "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." I am curious how they will make a production out of that adorable 'picture' book. After the GREAT experience we had this show, I think we will try to make it a priority to go back and see for ourselves!

Christmas08 Slide show

2009-01-13T12:38:00.000-06:00

I am a facebook addict....

2009-01-13T12:18:00.001-06:00

Yes, it's true. I am a facebook addict. :-) At least in the way that all of my 'spare' computer time has been spent finding friends and chatting on facebook these past few weeks. I warn you...it can be VERY addictive. But it has been GREAT fun finding friends that I hadn't seen since high school and reconnecting with several friends from Alabama. I still love blogging...and why wouldn't I?? Blogging is just like talking...except for you never have a chance to respond to me....and we all know that I LOOOVE talking. :-) However, with facebook...the conversations are two sided...you don't have to be creative or clever...you can say as little or as much as you want...and no one can look at your info. that you don't want to.

So that is where I have been. Life has continued on at a rapid clip. The Christmas Break was very welcome...but so was the return to school. :-) I was part referee/part mom those two weeks.

We now own a Wii and it also consumed our life for the first couple of weeks we owned it...we are doing better now. ha! It is the first gaming system we have ever owned...and it is a BLAST. We even had Granny, PopPop, Dustin, & Lisa playing it on New Years Eve. That little machine is BIG fun for ALL!!

I'll try to get back on line and post some more pictures in a day or two....if I can stay away from facebook. hee! hee!

Basketball Begins....

2008-12-22T03:09:00.000-06:00

One of the things that began while the computer was off to the repair shop was basketball....so I thought I'd tell you a little bit about Kyla and HER game of basketball. Kyla loves sports but it doesn't seem to be the competition that draws her to the games...it seems to be the social aspect. She spends a lot of time talking to teammates...or her opponents...and she always has a smile on her face.

Don't get me wrong...she does enjoy winning, but she never seems to think that is the most important thing - and for that I am GLAD. We aren't playing Upward Basketball for the first time in 3 years. We just couldn't find a league around here that measured up to the one at Friendship, so we decided to look elsewhere. She is playing on an all girls teams with BVYA...a local youth organization that puts together several different leagues in several different sports. Her first game was Dec. 6...unfortunately, they lost 4 to 6. Yes, not alot of offense...but Kyla did score 2 of the 4 points for her team.

Last year Summer cheered for Upward, so she seemed to think that the Shock needed their own cheerleader...perhaps she was right. She made a sign for Kyla...saying "Go Kyla Go!"...and she lead Luke in the chant...over...and over...and over. It was a fun day all around. I'm sure you'll be seeing more basketball posts in the future!

She's BAAAACK...

2008-12-18T23:34:00.000-06:00

That might need to say..."It's BAAAACK!"...refering to my computer. For the second time this year, it has been to the 'dr.' to recieve a new hard drive. Thankfully, it was covered under warranty....again!....but I have a feeling that HP is going to start investigating me if this happens again. Is there some sort of PC DHR???

Well, it is going to kill me...but I just can't take the time and go back and catch all the photo moments in chronological order right now....no telling how long it will take just to organize the digital images. So just let me leave you with a Christmas photo.

Worth the Wait??

2008-11-18T14:04:00.000-06:00

Ok - You tell me...but I think some things are worth the wait. Thanks to my procastination on posting my Halloween pictures, I was able to post them in a NEW and EXCITING way! At least it is new and exciting to me!!! A big shout out to my friend, Sarah, who spent some time with me the other day teaching me some of her 'tricks.' I'm a long way from her exciting blog with video clips, customized backgrounds, and music...but it's a start!! I never realized just how much MORE there could be to blogging!

The pictures from Halloween only capture a fraction of the fun that the kids had...and the candy they received! Dustin, Lisa, Taylor, Caitlin, Granny, and PopPop all came to our house which served as the base camp for the trick-or-treat trek. No telling how many lollipops and candy bars were consumed by the nights end...I'm sure A BUNCH! Luke really caught on to the spirit of trick-or-treating this year. It was several days before he stopped yelling "Trick or Treat!" at me. Oh my!

Halloween Slide Show

2008-11-18T13:59:00.000-06:00

Would you trust this face??

2008-11-17T16:07:00.001-06:00

Ok - this is TOTALLY out of character for me!! But I couldn't resist posting this picture (taken on Monday night) of Summer and her missing top front tooth. At this pace, by Christmas we might truly be singing, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!"

I just wanted to be sure that all of you could check out this grin...more photos to follow - especially our Halloween ones...stay tuned!

Happy Birthday to Kyle!

2008-11-10T21:52:00.000-06:00

Like I said in my last post...I feel silly posting things that seem so out-of-date. However, I am only a few weeks behind on this blog...in my scrapbook I am (brace yourself for this one) FOUR YEARS BEHIND! I know - it is sad! I have worked on it over the past few months... completing a few pages here and there, but I am going to have to get into a serious 'groove' in order to make up 4 years of photographs and events.

Kyle celebrated his 37th birthday on October 28. I like to mention his age because he is once again a year older than me. ha! The girls spent many hours making him a diorama out of a shoe box. They couldn't wait to give it to him on his special day!! If you can't read it - the top of the box said,"Dad is cool and a star!" They placed birthday messages on the inside of the box, as well as 3-D figures that they made of themselves and him. They also pooled some of their allowance money together and got him an Academy gift certificate. Those girls ADORE their dad!Luke was excited about Daddy's birthday. From the moment I began to make his birthday cake he repeated that it was Daddy's birthday. Really, it was more of a question - "It's Daddy's birthday today?" And one of those questions that he asked over...and over...and over. ha!

Granny & PopPop came over and babysat the kids so that Kyle and I could go out to eat at the County Line. The food was fabulous!! And it is amazing how much more we can converse when the kids aren't with us. I love those kids...but it is sooo much more peaceful to go out to eat without them! When we got home, we had birthday cake - 1886 Chocolate Cake - one of Kyle's favorites - as well as icecream....HEB Creamy Creations ice cream...OF COURSE! The girls were hoping for 37 candles...but I decided to settled for a few less. No need to set of the smoke alarm! hee! hee!

Fall Festival

2008-11-10T21:16:00.000-06:00

I am beginning to border on the edge of being so delinquent in my postings that they no longer seem relavant to me by the time I put them on here. Case in point...the Fall Festival at church was actually the Saturday before Halloween...but the pictures are just now being posted. Not to mention, there are pictures from Kyle's birthday, Halloween, and Kyla's soccer season...all of which need to be posted. I say "need," because for whatever reason (I suspect it has something to do with my life as a scrapbooker) I can't seem to just skip some events and come back to them later. I want to post 'chronologically.' That is fine when I am up to date, but not so great now!Anyways....expect those pictures to come in the not-so-distant future. Hopefully, before all of the turkeys and pumpkins are replaced by the Christmas trees and nativity scenes ha!

The Fall Festival at our chruch - CrossPoint Fellowship in Schertz - was actually a combination Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff. There were many fun activities for the kids - facepainting and crafts, as well as all the cotton candy and popcorn you could sneak past your parents. The chili was available to all...after the judging, of course...and there were hot dogs for anyone who couldn't stomach the chili. There was a hayride, but it was almost more of a limb dodge than a hayride....hopefully, they will trim a few limbs before driving through the trees next year.

It was just an outing for me and my girls. The guys stayed home and took naps.

One last picture - there was a pumpkin carving contest and grand prize winner was an amazing carving of the downtown San Antonio sky line. This picture doesn't really do it justice, but I think you can see why it won.

Hall-o-Scream

2008-10-29T23:19:00.000-05:00

Last Friday was the PERFECT day to be at Sea World San Antonio. The weather was mild - I think the highs were in the mid 70s. So maybe it wasn't perfect if you were wanting to ride all of the soaking water rides or if you wanted to sit in the splash zone (Summer and Kyla). But for those of us over the age of 9 that were there...it was GREAT!

We wanted to use our season passes at least one more time this year...we bought them last year when Kim, Isaac, and Rebekah Evans came to visit at their fall break. I would say that the passes have paid for themselves...we have gone 4 more times...and we hope to get one more visit in before the end of the year. This time, we invited Granny and PopPop along. The park has been open for 20 years...and they hadn't even been. But then again, until last year, the last time I had been was the year it opened, 1988.

We took it upon ourselves to be their 'unofficial' Sea World tour guides. We obviously saw the dolphins... taking the time to feed them. We have been there at times when there were sooo many people that they were hardly interested. This day, there were sooo few people that the dolphins were coming to the surface and practically BEGGING us for fish.

We took in the Cannery Row Caper Show. I wish I had my 35mm shots back because I got some great ones (or at least I hope I did) of one of the characters from the show (human, not sea-life) interacting with Kyla & Kyle. The reporter from the show wanted some of their popcorn and even turned it into a game of them trying to throw it into his mouth or him trying to throw it into theirs. I didn't think it was possible...but I believe it even embarassed Kyla just a little bit.

The fall celebration at Sea World is centered around the theme of "Hall-o-Scream." Well, perhaps I should have paid a little bit closer attention to some of the 'scream' zones that opened up after 6 p.m. in the park because we found ourselves eating dinner...outdoors...when what can only be described as a pack of very realistic warewolves began to 'roam' around the area. Poor Luke! He may require therapy later in life! He was genuinely frightened...which was not our intent AT ALL! The girls, however, realizing that they were just people in costume, played along with them and would distract unsuspecting park patrons so that the warewolves could then jump out and frighten them. The girls had several good laughs! OK - so they may need therapy now too.

My favorite Sea World show up to this point was the Halloween whale show from last year. The "Believe" show is good, and the "Summer Nights" show was good, but that Halloween show was amazing. I was hoping for a repeat this year that didn't let down Granny and PopPop...because I had talked it up A LOT. Fortunately, Sea World didn't let me down! The whales just seem to have more fun - can that be possible?

The trainers wore wet suits that were black and had skeleton bones on them. They had the fog machines that blew fog out over the water. There were pyrotechnic effects. The music was fun and rockin'. At one point in the show they had FOUR whales in the water at the SAME time. That is the only time I've seen that!! I think the only one who complained about anything in the show was Luke. He told us he didn't like the m.c. of the show -- I can't say that I blame him, he was dressed as some sort of zombie pumpkin-headed man. And, after his experience with the warewolves, he was understandably leery of anything out of the 'ordinary.' Much to my relief (because it had really cooled off by dark), for the first time EVER we didn't sit in the splash zone...and Luke was pleased that "password"...his strange and funny name for all things Sea World...didn't get us wet this time.

Since I wasn't in the Splash Zone, I was hoping to finally get some good pictures with my 35mm. However, my 35mm began acting up and I am afraid that I am going to have to take it in and get it looked at. Maybe it will finally be time to go "big" digital??....or maybe that is just wishful thinking. Let me leave you with this parting shot of the trainer being catapulted out of the water by the whale. It is a little hard to see her because of the black and white wetsuit and the dark background...but she is the squiggly line in the center. I am glad she is willing to go that extra mile for our enjoyment...but I would have to say a big, "NO THANK YOU!"

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-29T16:46:00.000-05:00

I don't think I tell our family enough - but even though I still miss our friends in Alabama, it is NICE to be near our family once again. For instance, we were able to meet up with Dustin, Lisa, Caitlin, and Taylor on a Sunday afternoon and take some great pictures at the pumpkin patch. I haven't developed the film from my 35mm yet...I'll be excited to see what I was able to 'capture.' But thanks to Dustin and Lisa, I have this great shot of all 5 kids to post.Our attempt to get this picture was reminiscent of our attempt to get a Christmas card photo of Granny and PopPop and all 5 kids. I think the only person to be completely successful at it has been Gwen Sawyer of Be True Photography. I was AMAZED at the pictures that she got of all 5 kids last winter! Photographers just don't get enough credit for how hard their job is!!

The day was beautiful... sunny...but far from fall like. Even though the morning started out a little 'chilly', in true Texas fashion it was warm...almost hot...by the afternoon. The kids roamed around, looking at pumpkins here and there. Then, at some point they decided that sitting on the pumpkins was the thing to do. We would just look over and one of the kids would be sitting on some BIG pumpkin, smiling, posing for the picture that they knew was inevitable.

By the end of our 'photo shoot', I think that my kids, my husband, and myself were spent! It all seems to go downhill so quickly when crankiness sets in. We jumped in the car and left so quickly that I don't even think I told my sister-in-law goodbye...Sorry Lisa!

What Life's Been Like...

2008-10-06T14:33:00.000-05:00

I can always tell what life has been like by the number of posts that I have any given month. The ones that have more seem to be 'calmer' months when I have a chance to catch my breath and catch you up on the latest and greatest news. Or maybe they are the months where I have become accustomed to the hectic pace that life has become and I have just figured out a way to get to the computer. ha! Either way, life did speed up last month...but in good ways.

We had two birthday celebrations in September - Poppy Rohan (Granny Gerry's dad) turned 87! We celebrated as a family at Beef and Bourbon in San Antonio. And then...there was ME! I turned....well, lets just say that 40 seems to be getting closer and closer every year! ha! My birthday was spread out over a couple of days...which is ALWAYS nice. Kyle and I were able to go out to eat the day before at Red Lobster...just the two of us thanks to Granny and PopPop. And on my birthday my mom drove over and took me out to lunch. She brought all kinds of goodies...including a cake! As an adult, I have always had a little 'childish' hangup on NOT getting a birthday cake. I LOVE getting a cake...I don't know what it is...perhaps my belief that the calories don't really count if you eat the cake on your actual birthday? Whatever the case, I was fortunate to get one this year...see...

Kyle and I also traveled with Dustin and Lisa to College Station, TX...to see Texas A&M play the Miami Hurricanes on September 20th. After looking at the final score the word "play" may be a little misleading...we are pretty sure the Aggies showed up. We know Miami did because we only sat 5 rows off the field, just behind the Miami bench. In all of my years at A&M I NEVER sat so close that I could actually read the players names on their jerseys. It was odd...the stadium doesn't seem nearly as big when you aren't in the 3rd deck. The game wasn't all that we wished for, but the experience of being back in College Station was WONDERFUL. We all loaded up with t-shirts for ourselves and our kids...we will all be sporting our Aggie apparel for months to come!

Some of the little spare time that I did have lately has been spent trying to get back in 'shape'. I'll spare you the actual weight goals, etc. but I have plans to at least get healthier. We live so close to a nice paved walking/jogging trail...it runs all the way down Schertz Parkway from our subdivision to the interstate. If I walk it that far and back then I go approximately 5 miles. I have been trying to do that at least 3 times a week (hopefully 4 or 5) - pushing Luke in the stroller the whole way. He puts up with it....because he knows that when we are done we will stop at the neighborhood park and ride the slides for a while. Hopefully, when you see our family Christmas photo this year you will be able to tell...we'll see!

A dancer once again!

2008-09-10T10:49:00.000-05:00

After a year off from dance classes...and many evenings, mornings, etc. on the soccer fields...we have a dancer in the house once again. Summer began dance classes on Monday evening and she couldn't have been MORE excited! She may have been too excited, because I have been told that she and Katie Jo had to be separated...too much talking and giggling. oh my!

We had the usual countdown...how many days until dance classes begin?...and then we also had the hourly countdown on Monday afternoon. We are fortunate that the classes are held at the Civic Center here in Schertz...just around the corner from our house. Although, if Summer had her way...we would have left at 6:15 pm for our 7 pm class...just to be SURE that we weren't late. She dressed her American Girl doll in a ballet costume and practiced her 'moves' up until the moment we left.

I am thankful that she had a WONDERFUL time. Sometimes the things 'we' participate in don't equal the anticipation, but this did! Summer loves her teacher - Miss Kim. In addition to her good friend, Katie Jo, we discovered that another girl from her school takes lessons here...a girl in her class....who we also just learned lives on our street! Perhaps they will be able to get together some afternoons and 'practice' their dance moves together so that I won't have to try and try and try to understand and replicate what all Summer is trying to teach me. ha! ha!

___________________________________

When Summer first chose soccer over dance last year, I was a little sad. I had always thought of Summer as a little dancer - her build, her personality, etc - but she was really set on playing soccer. I am glad we allowed Summer to play soccer because I think she always would have wondered what it would have been like, however, I am more pleased that she is dancing again. We'll just see how it goes!

Back to School!

2008-08-25T13:07:00.000-05:00

I know that I should be excited about back to school...especially after 3 months with 3 kids around ALL the time...but I'm always a little sad when school starts. First, I have to be more scheduled...yuck! Second, the pace of life torpedos into warp speed - for example, we also begin soccer practice today. And thirdly, I miss those girls - and this year, SO DOES LUKE! I cannot count the number of times I have answered the two questions - "Where is Kyla?" and "Where is Summer?"

However, my lack of excitement about school starting is countered in the universe by the extreme excitement that the girls had about school this year! Do these pictures capture it, or what...

The girls knew what outfits they would wear weeks ago and school supplies were all purchased back in July.

Summer had a countdown going just for the "Meet the Teachers" night - which was last Thursday...and she continued to ask me "How many days until school starts?" multiple times all weekend. At first, I was concerned about her - I wondered if her short term memory was failing her at a young age...ha!...but then I realized she just liked hearing how close the school year start was.

For the first time, the girls set alarm clocks to wake themselves up this morning. Since it was the first time, they popped right out of bed and promptly got dressed. I hope that the trend continues, however, if they are anything like me....and maybe you...over time the sound of the alarm clock can become incorporated into dreams, or just ignored completely and suddenly you're not getting out of bed at the time that you thought you would.

One of the best treats of the morning - Dad's Egg Bread. For those of you unfamiliar with egg bread...you may call it 'french toast.' Kyle had been in Bristol, TN all weekend...watching the NASCAR races with his friend Brian Evans...and the girls hadn't seen him since Wednesday night. They were tickled when they came downstairs and Dad not only was home, but was also cooking them one of their favorite breakfast treats.

Before school was out for the summer, I put in requests for the girl's teachers...something I hadn't ever done before, but I did at the encouragment of Kyla's teacher, Mrs. Lanham. I feel fortunate that we were able to get the teachers that we 'wanted,' and both girls have close friends in their classes (that can be a positive or negative...depending on the "talking factor"). Summer's teacher is Mrs. Coronado - a familiar face to her because she is only a few doors down from her classroom from last year. Kyla's teacher is Mrs. Maryfield - she is also a familiar face because she is in the second-half of the same portable that Kyla was in last year. Well, at least that is where their classes are for now...come December/January...if everything continues on schedule...they will move into their new school facility. Mrs. Maryfield actually hinted that they may begin to use the new gym and cafeteria even before that!

And now it begins...another year of reading, writing, 'rithmetic', and all the rest. It will be the last year...until high school...that the girls will be at the same school due to the intermediate (5th/6th) and Jr. High (7th/8th) campuses. Can my girls really be starting 2nd and 4th grade?

Do you notice anything different??

2008-08-18T14:19:00.000-05:00

Just wondering if from this picture...can you tell what is different about this girl? Look closely...just above the bottom lip. That's right! She has lost a tooth!! And let me tell you...to say she was excited is a gross understatement! ha! To be 7 years old and to have never lost a tooth was making Summer very anxious. Plus, her permanent teeth were beginning to come in behind the baby teeth and that was unnerving to her as well.

She was funny about letting Dad pull the tooth and it soon became his mission to succeed at getting that tiny tooth out of her mouth. I say 'tiny' because I have never seen baby teeth as tiny as Summer's. They have always been small, but the 7 years of wear have worn them down even farther. The dentist remarked that they just weren't made to hold on this long, however, her permanent teeth look strong (and rather HUGE in comparison) and should come in without incident.

The tooth practically fell out in Kyle's hand...it had become sooo loose. And we promptly went upstairs, found the tooth fairy pillow that I used as a little girl - my Meme made it for me, and tucked that tiny tooth safely in the pocket. We didn't want to risk loosing that little chip of a tooth.

By the next morning, the tooth fairy had left Summer a $1 bill in the place of the tooth. It should be the first of several visits from the fairy in the next year. As loose as the other bottom tooth is getting, I doubt it will be more than a month until we 'see' her again. I'm just thankful that Summer will be able to start back to school with a tooth 'gone.' She can't wait to see if Katie Jo has lost a tooth too!

The beach was a blast!

2008-08-17T22:58:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness we had a vacation at the beach to look forward to when we left north Alabama...I wasn't really ready to leave. There were not enough days to visit all the people and places, but we were thankful to spend time with and at the ones that we did!

We stayed at the Phoenix All Suites in Gulf Shores, Alabama. I highly recommend it! There was a bedroom with a king-size bed, bunk-beds built into the walls (the girls LOVED them), and a pull-out couch we didn't even use, 1.5 bathrooms, and a FULL kitchen. It was everything we needed...and all the rooms are gulf-view. I couldn't believe how much Gulf Shores had changed...we hadn't been there since 2000...long before Hurrican Ivan. There are sooo many more hotels and condos now, but it was still clean...and you just can't beat those beautiful white sand beaches!

I don't think Luke remembered the beach trip we made last year to Port Aransas, because he just didn't know how to react to all of that water chasing him on the sand. ha! He had fun...but he didn't get out too deep. He spent most of his time either just on the water's edge or asking us if we could go to the pool.

The girls received some birthday money from Kim when we were visiting and they promptly spent it on boogie boards once we arrived in Gulf Shores. That provided them (and even me) with hours of water enjoyment! However, every now and then we would find ourselves bolting out of the water due to some strange stinging sensation -- never seeing jellyfish, but feeling like we had been dipped in some of their 'poison.' We learned that if we walked up to the showers at the pool and showered off, we would be fine by the time we walked back down to the beach. It was very strange...we never received a 'good' explaination of it.

Once again it was time to leave BEFORE we were truly ready...although the prospect of everyone in their own beds and no more sand in mysterious places was appealing. More than likely, we won't be making a trip to Alabama every year...but it sure was perfect timing for us to go this year. It made me appreciate both where we have come from and where we are now. It was refreshing to see that being gone for a year hadn't changed the friendships that are still so important to us. I don't know how to describe it...but it made it easier to embrace my life away from Alabama once I got back. Don't get me wrong....I LOVE being back in Texas! The only problem...being back in Texas meant I had to leave Alabama...and I LOVED Alabama too. I think the best way to explain it...this trip taught me that I am allowed to LOVE them both!

Friendship Church & a Pool Party

2008-08-06T11:25:00.000-05:00

When we arrived in Alabama, one of the first things we did...even before stopping at the Evans' house...was to stop by our 'old' house in Cairo Hollow. We just couldn't resist getting a peek at what the Craigs had done to it. We were impressed with how great it looked...although we were surprised when we later found out that they hadn't moved into it yet. We stopped back by on Wednesday...just before leaving town....and just after eating breakfast at Sportsman's Park (yummm!)...and took a peek through the windows once we realized that no one was there. The inside looked AMAZING...they had redone all the floors (which would have required some subflooring repair)...redone everything in the kitchen except for the cabinets...redone the master bath...repainted all of the walls...and I'm sure much, much more. After seeing all they had done, it made sense why they hadn't moved yet...they hadn't had time!

I didn't know how it would make me feel to see all the changes to "my" house...especially since so much of ourselves went into it...but it made me sooo excited for them! I can't wait for them to enjoy that space - I hope that it brings them many, many years of happiness!

As I mentioned in the last post, one of the reasons for traveling on the 4th was to be in Alabama in plenty of time to go to church at Friendship. We ended up attending both services...and Calvin even performed an impromptu...no warning beforehand...interview with us in front of the whole congregation...BOTH services. He still calls us their 'missionaries to Texas.' It was a wonderful service...BOTH times...John David Crowe, the Contemporary Worship leader, lead everyone in an hour long worship service. I had missed the worship time at Friendship more than anything...so I couldn't have planned a better Sunday to be there! (No offense to Calvin's preaching...it is great too!)

After church, we were invited to the Parish house for an afternoon cookout/swimming party. It was so nice and relaxing to sit by the pool and visit with so many good friends. We had been gone from Alabama for just a couple of months when my dear friend, Lori Donatelli, found out that she was pregnant. For anyone who knows her story...it had been a long road filled with many obstacles that seemed insurmountable. Although we know that 'NOTHING is impossible with God' it was quite miraculous news! This trip meant that I could finally meet little Laci Grace Donatelli in person, and let me tell you, when I first saw her I cried and cried tears of joy! I felt like I was looking at Jesus' love in the flesh.

Laci Grace & Kyla

Allie & Luke

Isaac enjoying the pool

Summer soaking up some sun

The hours just flew by and I couldn't believe the day was over when the sun began to go down. Unfortunately, all of the days we were in Alabama were that way...and it was Wednesday before we knew it! At least we had the trip to the beach to look forward to...we might not have gotten the kids into the van otherwise. ha!

For the 4th of July we hit the road...

2008-08-05T23:11:00.000-05:00

OK - at some point I am going to have to speed this up...or else my blog is going to be like my scrapbooks and I am going to be writing about things that happened months ago, instead of the current things we are doing/dealing with...ugh!

Well, the day that Kyla got home from camp was hectic! I had her laundry to do...as well as some of our own...AND we had to get her stitches removed....AND I had to get all of our clothing/toys together for our trek to Alabama. We decided to travel on Friday the 4th because we REALLY wanted to be in Athens on a Sunday morning and be able to go to church at Friendship. That meant that about 2:30 a.m....I crawled into bed...and by about 7 a.m....I crawled out of bed. yawn. However, we still didn't get on the road until about 11:00 a.m. How is it that time packing luggage and packing a car seems to go by so quickly, but the time spent IN the car can draaaag on???

I took these pictures so that Granny Gerry could see the kids in their 4th of July outfits...a traditional gift from her to them. You can tell that they are excited about the journey ahead - plus, they have had a good nights sleep. No really...I'm not bitter about that or anything. ha!

With DVD players ready and a lunch packed for the road (thus the peanut butter on Luke's face in this picture), we headed out for Texarkana, Texas. We originally planned to watch the fireworks celebration they held there on the 4th - Sparks in the Park. I looked it up whenever we began to plan the trip around the holiday and we were excited to see they would have something planned. However, this year, due to budget constraints Texarkana, Texas was not able to host it.

Texarkana, Arkansas was willing to pick up the festival...but they wouldn't be hosting it until the Saturday AFTER the 4th. So we were one day early on that one. Fortunately...or was it unfortunatley?... for us there was a group of teenagers that decided our hotel parking lot would be a perfect spot to shoot off some fireworks and the kids got to see fireworks after all. We were lamenting that we weren't in Alabama already so that we could have watched the Sportsman's Park fireworks - but once we got to Alabama, we were told that they weren't able to have their fireworks either! Bummer! Something with their 'new' insurance company and the fireworks and how close they are to the gas pumps...you know...I'd always wondered about that!

Let me just say that the stay in the hotel went great and the kids traveled BEAUTIFULLY! The fact that the hotel had an indoor pool didn't hurt. I also must say that I still LOVE my van. The trip in the van just went so smoothly compared to the long trips we use to take in the car. By Saturday evening we were in Alabama at the Evans' home...what a wonderful sight Kim and Isaac were...but I'll post more on that later....