I'm Just Sayin'

Oh January!

2012-02-02T16:37:00.000-08:00

Not sure my pictures in this post will exactly correlate to my words but such is my life at the moment. One big blur of busy, fun, love, work, sports, life. January, such a big month in our home. Not only is it a fresh start to a new year, it is our anniversary month, my birthday month and the start to a new semester. Hence, the crazy busy life. Each was marked and celebrated perfectly. And, as we tuck away Janury 2012 I will remember....

My "aggressive diet and exercise regimn" as ordered by my doctor for my high LDL is still on track. I have found a new love of low-cholesterol cooking and I feel better than I have ever felt despite my over booked life. I can bike/run over 10 miles a day and though weight loss was not my intended goal it is a nice "side effect" to this plan. What it is doing for my cholesterol levels who knows....don't go for re-testing until April but I will tell you that this daily plan of almonds, oatmeal, flax, plant sterols and salmon better be doing somethig regarding the ol' LDL.

The start to my semester has been....ummm....intersting. I am pretty sure all the "characters" sign up for my classes. It keeps it entertaining and certainly not boring. Actaully, it is going really well they are just keeping me on my toes. Because our campus is under renovations, I am all over the place which makes my days fly by. All is good on that front.

Our anniversary and my birthday was great. I need to post our weekend in Fredericksburg (girls....cds will be in the mail by Saturday....promise!)

The littles are doing great. Cade keeps me totally running all the time...two baseball teams, basketball and a choir performance are on the agenda as of late. Camy girl has decided to turn into an acrobat which keeps me and MSW constantly gasping as we catch the tail end of one of her new tricks. Her bruising has been at an all time high but so has her crazy stunts. She has mastered the crib escape. We find toys in her crib the next morning that were clearly not in there when she fell asleep. We finally caught her in the act. Sister gets out in the middle of the night, plays and then crawls back into her crib and goes to sleep. Silly girl! As much as I was not ready to move her into a big girl bed...it will be delievered on Saturday. We certainly don't need an obstacle course for her in the middle of the night. I can just see her busting open her chin as she hangs over the side of her crib. So, big girl bed it is that will not require an acrobatic trick to get out of.

Though it is just the close of January, we are already planning our summer. Lots of fun stuff on the way. And that is the going ons around here lately.

Thoughts on 1st week of 2012

2012-01-03T06:57:00.001-08:00

The house is too quiet. Doodle is back to school and dada is back to work. Me and the girl linger in the warm covers and soak up the quiet morning. I never like the transition. As much as I long for a schedule and "regular" way of life in the midst of the holiday craze, I miss it just as much. Thankful for another week at home before I go back to reality....just would rather have this week with everyone else at home too. My list of things to do is ever growing but I am feeling really good about what I have accomplished. The house is sparkling from top to bottom and we've properly closed out all of our 2011 business. The wedding is edited, appointments are taken care of and our souls are refreshed.

We've begun 2012 in a low-key, family style. We spent New Year's day all together with a long walk, preparing a fancy meal together and setting our 2012 goals. Yesterday was our 13th wedding anniversary. MSW had to go into the office for a couple hours which gave me a chance to hit the gym. By noon, we met back up at the house and decided on a family lunch celebration versus a fancy dinner. We had a fabulous meal at Scenic Loop Cafe. The kids played and MSW and I actually had an enjoyable dining out experience with them. I am just being honest about how "not fun" it is to eat out with them (Camy) these days. But, I guess that was her anniversary gift to us! Nothing fancy but really perfect day to celebrate these 13 years.

Good-bye 2011

2012-01-01T12:59:00.000-08:00

We did not have a huge New Year's Eve celebration this year. Back in the summer, I agreed to shoot a NYE wedding. What a beautiful day it was for the wedding and I had a great time. So, when I got home I celebrated with one glass of wine and my glitter Toms.

I did celebrate our quiet evening with my most favorite man.

And I did get my kiss at midnight!

Good-bye 2011....you were pretty good to us. Hello 2012...glad you are here and look forward to all that you have to offer!

2011 Take-Aways
* Always, always back up pictures to the external hard drive. Ouch, that was a hard one to learn when our hard drive crashed this summer.
* I am totally competent to handle disruptive students. Remember this and have faith in yourself.
* My suburban does not fit through the car wash at the gas station on West Ave. I will hit a pole and dent my car. Another ouch!
* Celebrate the big as well as the small. Make banners, cook special meals, write little letters of congrats and love....my kids, family and friends will remember this stuff more than anything extravagant I may do.
* I learned I have high LDL and triglycerides, resulting in aggressive diet and exercise regimens.
* I discovered Malcolm Gladwell!
* If you wait long enough, people will show you their good side.
* It's all gonna be ok with Camy's Von Willebrand's.
* I love and need my friends, crafts and 30 minutes of cardio a day...all for mental well-being.
* Drink less tea and more water.
* It is really no fun to dine out with a 2 year old. Take out or cook at home.
* A little goes a long way with MSW. Set out his bath towel, leave a little love note, pack him a lunch...I'm telling you it is all in the little things.
* 35 is not old, I'm still in my prime (36 is young too, ummmm)
* After wearing Clinique for almost 20 years, I switched to MAC and love it so much more.
* I made the switch from PC to MAC...hmmmm, just noticed the theme.
* The best Mrs. Myer's scent is Honeysuckle, with Basil being a close second.
* Don't follow the pack. Stand on my own convictions. Even when it is scary to do so.
* I can run a meeting full of pretentious PhD's. They will listen to me and not eat me alive as I was sure they would at my first running of Senate. But brush up on Robert's Rule of Order.
* I'm still going to almost faint (or really faint) when I have my blood drawn.
* Baseball is a way of life in my family.
* Paint my fingernails more often...makes me feel fancy.

Hello 2012...you are looking good!

~Little Loves~

2012-01-01T12:58:00.000-08:00

Kiddie Land park

2012-01-01T12:57:00.000-08:00

A day at Kiddie Land Park. I remember going their as a child too. What a great afternoon. Camy enjoyed each and every ride, some of them twice. Caden was such a good brother and rode with her on everything. With him by her side, she was fearless.

Santa...kinda

2011-12-13T20:06:00.000-08:00

I talked it up for a couple of days....we are going to go meet Santa. She was excited. She woke up talking about "santa claus." I got her all dolled up and headed to the mall. She was good right up to the point of actually seeing santa and then she clamped on to me like a crab and wanted nothing to do with santa. So, the only picture I got of her with santa is with me in it too. Boo! Maybe next year. So, we came home and took a couple of pics in front of our tree.

Spartan Nation

2011-12-13T06:32:00.001-08:00

Since June, we have been immersed in select ball. We are now in the "off season"....time off all the way until January. Ha! We just came off a huge win so of course I want to brag about that but more importantly I want to hold on to my memories and thoughts about these times. I received a comment from an old high school friend who have kids older than me. He was sharing with me about how much he missed watching his boys play at this age. It made me want to freeze this time, tuck it away nicely and have it forever. Thus, I blog it.

Select ball is a whole new world for us. MSW did not play select...it was Pearsall, folks and select ball has really just emerged the last few years. When Cade was invited to try-out we were a little skeptical but alot excited. Caden was born one day before the age cut-off so he plays with boys a year older than him. Good for his development but at 6 and 7, a year makes a big difference. We were worried about him making the team but thought it would be great experience, none the less. We were so proud of him to make the team of 12. And so the adventure began...

From the long, hot practices twice a week this summer to the first tournament where they could not even hit the ball into the outfield. We did not know any of the boys before he made the team. None of them go to his school and none had been on his previous MPLL tams. There was an awkwardness at the beginning. The boys getting to know each other and the parents figuring each other out. I remember one practice early on in which they picked two boys to pick their teams for a scrimmage. Caden was the last boy picked. I wanted to go get him and take him home. But, I sat there and watched my boy move on un-phased by it and play his heart out and show those boys just because he was one of the smallest he could still play.

We played a few local, summer tournaments and by the second tournament we were placing and then winning. The boys came together in an amazing way, the parents bonded and we became the San Antonio Spartans. By early fall, we took the show on the road. Winning San Marcos, then the State tournament and finally the World Series. What a ride for these boys!

We've had some bumps in the road. A coaching change, some cuts, some adds...through it all we've remained respectful, united and standing for the ethics we've had all along. Our boys are not flashy, the coaches don't yell or belittle, the boys are always, always expected to be respectful of everyone and most of all reminded it is a game and to have fun. Oh we have seen some teams. From the $200,000 custom painted team tour bus, to the teams decked out from head to toe in the most expensive, matching gear. We see the teams that make their kids run for an hour after a loss to the coaches and parents that yell so terribly that I would call it verbal abuse. The teams that travel with sound systems so that each players theme song is played as they take the plate. Oh it is a totally different world from Little League. The level of competition is unbelievable. These little guys can play.

So this past weekend it did not surprise me a bit that the SA Spartans played their little hearts out (going unbeaten, I must say), had a complete blast and showed everyone what playing with class looks like! After leaving SA at 5 am, playing 3 games on Saturday we all went back to the hotel and let the boys cut loose. We let them swim in the indoor pool for hours. The parents sat around laughing and telling stories while the boys acted like boys just as they should. I love that no one looses site of the fact that it is just a game and they are little boys that should just be having fun. Nobody mentioned that a World Series Championship was on the line the next day or put pressure on the boys to settle down, or focus or go to sleep. We all know what has been instilled in these kids. We all know that them having fun together is much more important than anything else and we all have complete confidence in our boys to take the field the next day and give it their all. And, that is exactly what they did. The friendships and life lessons they are learning from this experience is priceless. The memories they are gaining is far better than any championship ring or trophy they can put in their room. I really hope we can keep this train rolling for their childhood.

If I ever wonder if all the time and money we spend is worth it...look at that face! Pure joy after the State win. The boys in the background are not our team...just so happens that Austin has a Spartans team with the same uniforms.

Your 2011 Winter World Series Champions!!! These are some of the best kids around. They all have amazing personalities.

His first ring!

So proud of our boy! It was cold, cold, cold but so worth it! You can't take away the experience of watching your son play a game he loves so much and winning it all. Our hearts swell!

Test

2011-12-03T15:11:00.001-08:00

Testing from my new MacBook Pro.....let's see if this has solved all my PC issues I was having.

Rambles....

2011-11-27T18:52:00.000-08:00

Two weeks....I can do this. One more week (4 days) of lecture, five final exams and then a month of vacation during the Christmas season! I cannot wait. Life continues to be moving swiftly. Such a beautiful time in our lives yet so, so busy.

A big contributor to our crazy schedule is Cade's baseball. His select team has done amazingly well for their first season! Last week they won the Super Series State Championship!! I never thought that I would be traveling, staying in hotels to watch my 7 year old win a state championship! There really are no words to watch your child achieve that doing something he loves so much. We've made some amazing friends through the Spartans and we really are blessed to share this experience with wonderful people. Next weekend the SA Spartans are headed to the Super Series World Series. They have only been together since June so this is pretty incredible! This will be the last tournament for the Fall. I cannot even imagine how crazy the Spring will be with the heavy season for select ball and a competitive Spring at Little League too. I just think we are busy right now.

I have once again taken on too much. I know this about myself yet I just don't know how to turn down an opportunity. I have been asked to join the Honor's Academy and soon will be advising a case load of honor students and teaching in the Honor's program. An amazing opportunity....but more work. I have taken on way too much photography business lately. I just can't miss out on meeting a new family! I am going to have to slow it down...right after the wedding I shoot on New Year's Eve....I can't believe I signed that contract! It has been interesting trying to schedule shoots around everything else but I've done so and unintentionally 2011 will probably go down as my most profitable yet...which is bad, bad for my CPA husband. My business is supposed to help our taxes and show a loss. I am about to have to purchase a new Macbook Pro and some lenses for some write-offs...darn the bad luck ;).

Camy is as precious as ever. She is talking so much and everyday presents us with a new phrase. She is "my best girl" and my constant shadow. I thank God everyday for the gift of my camy girl.

Michael is doing well in his new position. He is learning the ropes of the banking realm and has been wined and dined by most banks already. He just finished up year end close and just needs to finish up the yearly audit and things will look a little easier for him after the holidays. It stinks that this is his busiest time of year but just the way it goes. We spent two weeks trying to figure out how to go on a trip for a few days in December. Pathetically, we could not come up with a string of days we could be away during December. We will try again in May.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I really enjoyed the days with my family. We even finished all our Christmas decorating! Can't wait for the best time of the year!

The Dossier

2011-11-03T15:22:00.000-07:00

I have not blogged in ages and for that I am regretful. We've been living life, fully....in the fast lane....and while I am making the memories there is just not time to document those memories. There are pictures and come February there will be a retreat and I will scrap those memories appropriately. That makes it ok for me.

However, today is such a significant day in my professional life...anti-climatic in many ways....not something to pop a cork for (yet) but after 6 years of working on it, the final day deserves a blog, at least.

It takes 6 years of tenure-track teaching, hours of service, publications, peer reviews, classroom observations, chair evaluations, student evaluations, justification upon justification to even apply. Today I turned in my Tenure Dossier. All 762 pages. I should have taken a picture of it, huh?!?! I said a little prayer and placed (more like dropped) it on my Chair's desk. It is out of my hands now. It will travel its way through the Chair, Tenure Committee, Dean, Vice-President, President and finally the Board. Let's hope it's approved. I won't know until late summer/early fall if I have been granted tenure. For us in academia tenure is a big deal, huge in fact.

Wouldn't you know that the year I am up for tenure is the year the Board decides to review the worth of it. Yeah...fun! As an officer of the Faculty Senate, I have given that my best fight. We've stood strong on the issue and as of now, it remains in tact. Maybe I just got in under the wire?

So here we go, waiting on that decision that is months away.

Updates....

2011-08-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

No pics yet because my camera is packed and ready to head out to Cade's baseball tournament in a little while and then I will do one big photo dump onto the computer....

"So busy"...that is just an understatement around here. Always on the go and our days beautifully filled with activities and friends. I went back to work on Monday. It was fine. I am still working hard on a good balance and was able to keep it up all week despite my extra duties since being elected as a Faculty Senator and Secretary of the Senate.

Tomorrow will bring excitement as Caden will begin 2nd grade! How in the world did that happen????? We met his teacher last week and she seems really great. We sweetened her up with a Crayola Wreath so hopefully that will keep her sweet with my boy. ;) Cade is excited about school beginning and was lucky enough to get one of his best friends in his class so all is good in his little world.

I get to met all my students tomorrow and Tuesday. I will be teaching 19 hours....yikes!!! 3 different courses....some Internet, some flex....those overloads are just too hard to turn down! Extra $$$$$$$$ for play is always good stuff. Feel free to remind me of that when I am knee-deep into it all!

Camy Lizzy spent a couple days at Ms. Laura's last week and did just fine. She was so tired when I picked her up from all the playing...the sad thing is that I picked her up right after nap time so sister is playing hard! On the 3rd day, she was a little mad at me because I think it was starting to sink in that this would be a regular thing and not just a random treat of playing with her friends. poor love....

Busy day that I need to get started. Cade and MSW are already 40 minutes into the first ball game of the day. That was a little early and a very long day for us girls so we will make the 2nd game here in a little while. Tonight we will have our annual "Back to School" dinner. As always, the school-boy, Cade picked the menu...cheese enchiladas, Spanish rice and beans. This year's theme is "Give your best."

Clothes are lined out, bags are packed, lunches will be made, attitudes directed....tomorrow begins a new chapter!

The funk and the fix

2011-08-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

It started....the slide into a funk. Maybe it is this relentless heat, maybe it is the inevitable thought of going back to work, maybe it is the guilt of being a little excited about going back to work (what a dichotomy), maybe it is a product of being stuck inside all day because of the heat...whoops, I already mentioned the heat. Whatever the precursor to my funk, that slide became a fall when Camy fell (literally) Saturday night. A hard hit to the pavement. A joyous game of ball in the front yard that was transformed instantly to a trip to the ER. A big bump to her forehead that no doubt needed a dose of Humate-P. However, the bump paled in comparison to the hell she went through trying to get in her Humate-P. As Cade would say, "Curse you Von Willebrand's!"

We go to the ER at Santa Rosa because this is the hospital that houses her treatment center and where all her records reside (and arguably the best children's ER in the city and I hate that I have to know that ). It is in the heart of downtown SA. We are blessed to be served here so graciously. No wait....straight in...they know she is Type III the second they type in her name. We also skip any skepticism of child abuse ( a very touchy subject for this mama that I will touch on in a minute). Straight back to start her IV...7 nurses, 2 hours, and 5 pokes later. Finally the IV was in and Humate-P was administered. You know it is bad when they call in the airlife nurse because "they start IV's in helicopters" denies trying to start her IV because they can't see a 'good' vein! I cannot even remotely describe the hell that Michael and I go through during this process....much less our baby girl. It rips my heart into tiny shreds that are trampled over and over again. She yells Mama, mama over and over....I feel the burning in my stomach. I want to rip her away from them and run. But, we are at mercy to their training and this drug. Michael gets mad and protective and his so-out-of-character reaction shakes me even more. WE DON'T HANDLE THIS WELL and need to get so much better because ultimately Camy reads our stress and reacts accordingly.

She is such a hard stick. We keep thinking her veins will get more visible but we just aren't there yet. And they think that we will be able to do this to our daughter one day.... A CT scan was ordered to check for bleeding. At this point sweet girl would not let go of me. If you ever need tips on how to hold a 30lb baby while you squat over a toilet to pee just let me know....I can do that! Luckily, they were totally fine with me going up to CT with her. I had to laugh when the tech had me put on a protective vest...really? You do realize I am going in this tube with her because she is not going to let go of me. Sure enough...in we went! It was the first CT scan for us both. By the grace of God, no bleeding. We were clear to go. Scared....but released to go home.

You don't go through those experiences and not continue to reel from them. I let my mind go to the what-if's, I get absolutely pissed that a bump that would be a bag of ice for most kiddos turns into a ER, IV, CT scan for my daughter and then comes the sadness. I feel so sad that she has to deal with this bleeding disorder. I feel guilt...I should be able to save her from each fall and we can't deny that it is hereditary. I don't sleep that night...the thoughts swirling around.

Sunday we all feel like we have been hit by a ton of bricks. Sissy is clingy and fussy and has every right to be so. My neck is stiff, I'm quiet and I just want to crawl up into a ball and cry. MSW can't look at baby girl and not feel like he should have been able to stop her fall, he's mad she has this disorder. Caden is confused...a little frustrated as he knows we won't be playing a game of ball again that was so much fun before the fall.

I spent 5 years with the title of Counselor behind my name. It does nothing to change our feelings, only allows me to put labels or stages on what we are feeling. The truth is one that stings my tongue to say...Von Willebrand's absolutely affects our baby girl but it also impacts us all. Not everyday, not all the time but when it does it takes the wind out of us all.

New month, new week, fresh start....I can hope, right? But nope my funk hangs on to Monday. I clean, I cook, I rock babies and sit in the driveway working three digit math problems with doodle. But deep down I still fell my gut stirring. Snap out I tell myself! Despite a nasty bruise, she is fine. You are so lucky. She is good. The self-talk goes no where.

This is absolutely frustrating for me. I treat this stuff....I talk people from this all the time. I have a Master's Degree saying I can fix this stuff. I am no help to myself.

Tuesday...new day. We already had an annual appointment for Camy with her Hematologist so this will serve as an annual and a post-follow-up to her fall. We usually go on Thursdays....Tuesdays are also clinic days for the oncology kids. HEART WRENCHING! Very sick, precious children. A great kick to my gut. How lucky am I to be here checking out a bump to the head? I only weep for these beautiful, bald-headed babies. Check-up goes great! We see the physical therapist, dentist, hematologist, HTC nurse and social worker. She blows them all away.....don't come back for a year!!! Also, obtained a letter to carry with us into the ER (which there will be no more visits ;)) that directs on how to stick her and with what gauge of needle....doctor's orders. And don't think for a second this mama does not have the names of who and who not to let touch her!

We've stayed close to home and I cannot deny that it is in large part to my baby's big bruise. Which brings up the other side to this coin. A large percentage of VWD children are reported as abused by someone who is unfamiliar with VWD. There is not a time that you will not find a bruise on Camy. Sometimes I know how they happened, most the time not. It is part of the disorder. It is the biggest everyday struggle that I deal with. I cringe every morning that I see a new bruise on her. She is unphased by them....but I know each and everyone. I'm told one day we won't even notice them....yaright!

While I would much rather have someone who suspects abuse call and be wrong, it puts the ball in a whole different park when it is your child. I am no stranger to calling CPS so I am in no way passing judgment on anyone who calls CPS, in fact, applaud that child advocacy. However, the thought of someone looking at her and thinking that crushes me. We are protected in so many ways. Anyone who keeps Camy (Laura, Church, Gym, etc...) have been trained and informed of her condition and to expect bruises on her. Any possible CPS call would be fielded by her social worker and HTC nurse which would absolutely shield us from any harmful questions. That's not really it... People look at her bruises....I see it. I don't want her for a second to become self conscious of those bruises. The comments...well, she doesn't need to hear it.

Finally, today...the fog lifted. Nothing particular, I guess. I'm blessed with a fairly consistent mood and she came back today. We threw caution to any stares or looks and headed to watch the Smurfs...in the 3D, no less. Camy's first movie and she did great. Caden said it was the coolest thing he's ever done! We picked up mimi and ampa from the airport and they loved on her and did not linger at all on her bruise. We got back into rhythm and all feels right again. Will there be more bumps (literally and figuretively)? Undoubtedly. More trials? Without a doubt. Times for no reason or with reason we feel in a funk? Absolutely.

I blog today to share some real, raw and unfiltered emotions. We all carry so many responsibilities, burdens and for many of us moms, we serve as the hub of the family and don't allow or forgive ourselves for the funk periods we sometimes feel. I'm here to say they happen....they are normal....and you just gotta let yourself feel and move through it. Early on during Camdyn's diagnosis wise advise was given to me....let yourself grieve for your daughter. I did not get it at first and I'm still learning but I get it more and more each day. I would not let myself "feel" in the beginning because it felt so selfish and self-serving. It was not me I needed to help, it was my daughter! But I get it a little more today and I can be sad about what she has to endure and until I let myself feel that...we all get nowhere or better. I have learned when to tell my husband that I am sad for Camdyn and just want to feel that today and him understanding that and not feeling responsible for improving my mood.

Hope no funk is in your future but if you do find yourself in this spot...don't feel guilty or alone...we've all been there. And call me...I'll hold your hand and feel through it with you- gosh, wish I had the insight to have done that myself Saturday night! I might even drag you to a ridiculous 3D movie about little, blue people to snap you out of it!!! Love to all my strong, smart, insightful and amazing mama friends. We rock!

What I'm loving Wednesday

2011-07-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

* I'm loving watching doodle and MSW outside my window as I blog. To no surprise, they are throwing a baseball. I love that they do this every night.

* I'm loving zumba!

* I'm loving that sissy now calls herself, "the baby." Last night when MSW was eating she was wanting bites of his food. If he took a bite instead of giving her one, she would say...the baby?!?! Love that girl.

* I'm loving my lavender bath salt.

Rainy day

2011-07-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

Finally...after many days without rain, we had 3 back to back storms. We stopped dinner to run outside and enjoy the rain.

Big brother teaching sissy belle about the rain.

Monkey see...

Monkey do.....

Not rain related but I'm proud of this cute little shirt I made for Camdyn. She is my little assistant!

10 on Tuesday

2011-07-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

10 random thoughts....

1. It rained today! We stopped in the middle of dinner to go stand out in it. Camdyn was not sure what to think of it....pictures coming soon.
2. I have been trying all different kinds of classes this summer. Today, I took a ballet class. I consider myself fairly in shape as I run 3-5 miles almost every day. I thought this class would be relaxing and fun. It was fun and more difficult than the butt-kicking kickboxing class I tried last week. There is a good chance I will be walking like a 90 year old woman tomorrow.
3. In preparation of my ballet class, I pulled out my old dance bag from my hope chest. I am confident it had not been opened since my last dance recital in 1994. As I pulled out my pointe shoes and tap shoes the smell of Delia Light's dance studio filled the room.
4. I love pinterest....'nuff said about that.
5. Mrs. Myers has a new scent...Honeysuckle. Can't wait to try it!
6. I'm about half way through the party prep for Camdyn's 2nd Birthday party. Yes, it's not until the end of October but I live for this stuff. Just waiting on the fall boots to hit the shelves at Nordstrom's so that I can do her pictures for her invitations.
7. Caden has his first Select Baseball tournament this weekend...I'm nervous/excited for him....he. of course, is unphased.
8. I want to start a weekly bible study for doodle's friends....very light, fun using our favorite daily verse book. Don't know how to approach parents without seeming fanatical (not sure of their religious affiliations, etc...)
9. I want to be in/start a monthly book club....never been part of one before and I think it would be fun.
10. I have 3 huge blisters on my fingers from hotgluing Crystal's birthday present.....Rita failed me!!!

Florida 2011 Trip

2011-07-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

Another amazing trip to Destin.....love, love, love these vacations!

Summer Afternoons

2011-07-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

Sprinklers, green grass, tricycles and cartwheels....all part of our summer afternoons. Little laughs, big smiles and funny little sounds....all part of our summer afternoons. Childhood wonders that I hope they always hold in their hearts.

him and her....

2011-07-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

He is rambunctious, inquisitive, growing, loud, energetic, adventurous, curious, helpful, busy and confident.

She is rambunctious, growing, funny, busy, loves shoes, loves jewlery, curious, learning and sweet.

Different....but more the same. I often think they are the greatest blessing to one another...sometimes :)

TLU Girls' Lake Weekend

2011-07-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

I always thank my lucky stars for the wonderful friendships that Texas Lutheran University (TLU) brought me. We were so fortunate to spend the weekend together on Lake LBJ this year. I love that we have created a yearly reunion!

We spent hours on the boat, tubing and some wake boarding (go Nette). We had dinner at a fun little pizza place, we chatted, we sat under the stars, we laughed and laughed and laughed. It was a perfect weekend. These girls are the best!!!

Me...the embarassing mom?????

2011-07-12T19:07:00.000-07:00

On the way to the dentist....

Me: Caden, are you OK with me staying with Camy in the waiting area instead of going with you into the exam room.
Caden: minute of pause....actually, I prefer that. You are embarrassing.
Me: I'm embarrassing???
Caden: Yes, totally.
Me: How do I embarrass you?
Caden: For starters, like making me wear this Polo t-shirt.
Me: Why is that embarrassing?
Caden: Because I'm active you know...I'm athletic and this shirt is not.
Me: Really?!?!?!
Caden: (after a few minutes) you are probably going to be that kind of mom that runs onto the football field the first time I get the air knocked out of me yelling, Caden, Caden are you allright?

2011-07-04T19:37:00.000-07:00

Perfect Day!

2011-06-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

I absolutely adore Fredericksburg. In many ways, it is my happy place! Love it all! What a beautiful day we had, today. We started at the Peach Orchard, then to the strawberry patch. Memories made of Camy eating all our "micro-strawberries" and Caden finding the perfect peaches. We wandered through the grooves of peach trees....Camy was sidetracked by the "moo cows" that she wanted to touch so badly. Just as the sun positioned itself high in the sky, we loaded up and headed to lunch at Rather Sweet. YUM!!!! We casually strolled main street. A stop into the toy store proved successful for two littles I know! Until next time, Freddy!

Pedal time

2011-06-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

After dinner, we usually ride bikes in the drive way. Camy is getting really good at her plasma rider (coolest thing ever!)...shhhh...when Camy goes to sleep Caden and I take the plasma around the corner and take turns flying down the street. Oh to be a kid again!

Top goal: Laughter

2011-06-08T13:08:00.000-07:00

"A day without laughter is a wasted day." e.e. Cummings

I have one top goal each day....hear them belly laugh. I love their pure, sweet, deep happiness laughter. Sometimes it is spontaneous, sometimes constructed.

~Summer culinary creations~

2011-06-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

Afternoon treat....smoothies!

We have new daily tea creations. This was Blackberry-mint sun tea. Mint & blackberries from our garden.

Caden helping me roll our Buffalo Chicken Wraps

Weekly Menu- I try to keep it pretty but Camy loves to write on it too. Often times, MSW will tell me as soon as he walks in the door, "I have been thinking about your________for dinner all day" which tells me that he checks the day's menu each morning!

My love of cooking and creating in the kitchen multiplies during the summer. I have more time and the summer harvests are some of my favorite fruit and vegetables. I am still trying many new recipes and even making up some of my own. Pinterest....do you know it? If not, you are missing out BIG TIME!!! I can sit down and find 50 amazing recipes in 15 minutes. It is my inspiration these days. Farmer's markets, orchards and our own garden.....what gifts!

Summer sprinklers

2011-06-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

Each afternoon, sometimes twice an afternoon, we go outside and play in the sprinkler. They both love it and make up the silliest of games. I sometimes wonder if this is a piece of their childhood they will always remember. I certainly remember playing in the summer sprinklers when I was a child.

NISOD Weekend

2011-06-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

Silly in the hotel room.

Love this man!

My college peeps

My official NISOD picture...too school for cool!

Each year I write out my goals for the year....I keep a professional list and a personal list. Five years ago, receiving the NISOD award was put onto my professional list. I was really honored to receive it this year. You are chosen by your college President. The award includes a 4-day adventure. It began on Sunday afternoon at the Four Seasons hotel with receiving our medallions, being cheered down a tunnel of UT cheerleaders to a champagne toast in our honor. It was pretty awesome. The best part was that I was able to share most of it with my family. Michael and the littles came up on Sunday and stayed the night. They had to go back Monday evening because Caden had school on Tuesday.

I had two nights alone in a plush hotel. Sounds fabulous, right? Well, not so much I was so lonely as pathetic as that sounds. I did met up with my sweet friend, Hope for dinner and we had a great time. Michael (along with my college administration) came back on Wednesday for the closing session. If all that was not awesome enough, my video was chosen to play during the ceremony. It was so shocking to see my video up there but it provided bragging rights for my President which plays well to my tenure dossier that will cross his desk in the fall!

IKEA-1 Dee-0

2011-06-02T13:50:00.000-07:00

It was a bad idea from the beginning (and I knew it from the start.) It was our first night in the hotel room. At home, Camy sleeps in her bed, Caden in his and Michael and I in our California, comfy king. The hotel sleeping arrangements left us all tired the next morning. We first started with the girls in one bed and the boys in another. MSW and Caden fussed at each other like they were both 5. Stop kicking me, you are making me hot, be still, you are not giving me enough room...blahh blaah bla blaaaaaaaaaaaa. Finally, at 3 am I made MSW switch with me. Which only lead to him falling asleep and him and Camy falling into a snore-a-thon. He claimed it was because the bed was too soft which resulted in him sleeping with his legs up higher than his head which caused the snoring....ya'right. Caden, well, he decided to grind his teeth the rest of the night. At that point, I would be lying to you if I did not think about how I would have the next two nights all to myself. We awoke, unrested.

However, I still insisted on an afternoon trip to IKEA. I am not an IKEA rookie. In fact, when we lived in Houston I was a regular shopper. I'm prepared for the greatness and horribleness that place produces in one. Yet still, on a bad night's sleep, a few hours at the pool, no nap...sure let's go to IKEA.

My search started months ago. The perfect kitchen-prep table for my kitchen make-over. I found an ok one right from the start on IKEA's website. I searched high and low from that point to no avail. The IKEA table would be fine. Knowing we would be in Austin, with the truck, that's when we would get it. So off we went.

An hour into being there, I find the table. I needed to see it in person. It checked out and I liked it even more in person than on the website. Good sign. If you have ever been in IKEA you know that you have to weave through a maze to actually get to a warehouse area where you pick up your goods. Finally there, we find the bin and row for the table only to find that it is "out-of-stock." GAWD!!!! Just then, Camy decides it is time to take a poop. Lovely- especially since I had no wipes or diapers with me.

Luckily Michael had a back-up plan for the part (top of table) that was out-of-stock. As we stood in line for an hour to check out, enjoying the aroma of baby poop, fussy kids I promised myself no more trips to IKEA in the near future!

Finding random fun times

2011-05-28T07:48:00.000-07:00

I love finding a "misplaced" memory card with pictures over a year old! Remembering the fun times of past!

One of those moments....

2011-05-28T06:14:00.000-07:00

*Not a great picture, P&S was handy to catch the moment as it unfolded. He had a swim party after school, so that is the reason for the swimsuit.

There comes those moments as a parent, in which you hold your breathe for your children. We've had a week of that. Caden was invited to try out for the summer select team that some of the MLPP (McCallister Park Little League)board members have put together. Just to be invited was an honor within itself, truly. Only about 20 of 100's were invited. We know he is young. Because his birthday falls on April 29th, he is the youngest playing at his level as the cut-off age is the next day. The age difference is obvious when he is on the field...the 9 year olds tower over him. Intimidation...not part of his vocabulary.

The try-out was last Sunday, the morning after a very heartbreaking loss in three extra innings. He was deflated and exhausted. We woke up early (gave praise to God at home...I'm sure he is a baseball fan and understood ;)), Michael and I both warmed him up and I have a bruise on my hand to prove it! The boys headed off as sissy and I stayed behind. Periodic texts let me know that he was not having a great try-out. He struggled at the plate but came back strong showing his defensive skills.

...and then we waited to hear. An e-mail would tell us either way within the week. It came on Friday. Michael honestly had no idea if his try-out was strong enough or not to make the team...they only took 10. Michael called me on Friday. Only 3 words but pride swelled in that father's voice, "He made it!"

He had been asking everyday. The night before when Michael was getting him out of the tub he asked, "Daddy if I don't make the Spartans is there another team that will take me?" I would be the one that would get to deliver the good news. I decided to construct a quick banner last minute. I picked him up, sent him in through the front door. His head looked up and read. He started at the beginning and read again, and then for a third time. That is when he turned and looked at me and said, "I made it?!?!" Elation ensued.

And so our summer will be filled with baseball! Max Lucado says, "children are our calling, not our hobby." Can it be both? The truth of the matter is that I love to watch my child play a game he loves so much!

A day at the zoo

2011-05-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

She did not care that it was 100 degrees outside. She did not care that most of the animals were taking a nap. It was her first trip to the zoo. She is loving animals these days and learning all her animal sounds. I thought it was time for a trip to the zoo. Just she and I. She loved the monkeys and fish the most. She loved the elephant until she blew air and then she cried, and shook her head "no" at the elephant. She talked to each animal with a very serious tone and would tippy toe up to each cage like she was timid of what awaited. Memories....

home making

2011-05-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite meals.

I love artichokes. Love the taste, love how interesting they look, and even love to say, "artichoke!"

Art I've been working on for the house. It looks better than what this picture allows.

My mother's day plant for my grandma is blooming. Beautiful!

Homemaking. I love it. Crafting, cooking, cleaning....love it all. Finding beauty in the items of the "everyday."

Mama's fun times

2011-05-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

McCallister Park Gala time!

Working on my "honey do" list for the kitchen make-over

Bench make-over

In between the hustle and bustle of all that it takes to be a mom and wife, I am making time for fun times too! We attended the McCallister Park Little League Gala on Friday night. The Spazmatics played and we had a really awesome time. We danced, had dinner, crossed fingers to win drawings (we didn't) and truly enjoyed a fun night sans two little people.

I'm not moving along as fast as I would like with my kitchen, partly because we are still super busy and partly because the granite guy is not moving fast enough for me. So, for now I take advantage of when Michael is home and get him to start working ahead on the things that we can. One of the projects is redoing our breakfast area. We are cutting down the table and chairs (to a more camy-friendly) height and adding a bench in to the eating area. I found the bench at a thrift store, repainted and put on new fabirc. I'm anxious to see how it all works together...eventually! I love redecorating. One question, can a house have too much of a DIY feel?????

Busy School Days

2011-05-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

I joke that I need a "wife" to help me keep up with all of Caden's activities. You know...someone who can help with the crafts, handles a hot-glue gun with precision, cooks goodies, good with the camera, remembers the suncreen, etc.... No doubt that my boy's activities keeps me running. Friday alone my checklist looked a little like this:

* Finish gala basket
* Rehearse website presentation with Caden
* Deliver gala basket
* Bake plaintains for presentation
* Put flags on chocolate mustaches
* Iron Costa Rican Outfit and pack it up
* Get blanket, sunscreen, toys for picnic packed up
* Make picnic lunches
* Remember camera!
* Be at school by 9:20 am
* Be in Mrs. Hall's class by 12 with him in full costume
* Buy dress and shoes for gala
* Get trophies from my mom
* Talk to Stacey and Berta about class party
* " " about teacher gift
* Toe nail color change (no blue!)
* Pick up sissy by 3:00
* Be at Gala by 6:30

Most if not all is for Caden's activites...FYI this is only 1st grade!!

I got it all done, we had a great night at the Gala and looking forward to all this week will bring.

~Baseball Mom~

2011-05-19T12:43:00.000-07:00

Anticipation, nervousness....at the start of the game.

Playing 2nd base.

At catcher

Get a hit!

I proudly sport a t-shirt that reads, "Baseball Mom." It makes me crack a smile and puts some pep into my step. My toe nails are currently painted, "Cubs blue" thanks to Caden picking out the color that "you must wear, mama." Yes, oh yes I am so that mom. No matter what resistance I thought I could throw at my boys against it, I might (just might) be as wrapped up into this whole baseball thing as my boys. hooohmmmmm....

Last night was our last regular season game, a must win to get into the play-offs. Our boys played their hearts out. They won...big...12-5! For me, it is not so much about the win as it is the smile and giggles that it puts on their
faces. It is the proudness I see on my husband's face.

I love how before the game, all gathered tight in a huddle, Michael reminds them that "baseball is a gentleman's sport. So get out there and play with respect but most of all, have fun!" I love how when I am done with my "team mom" duties in the dug out, Caden always looks at me, gives me a thumb's up and says, "i've got this mom" which means he is fired up and ready to play!

Maybe he will play for years, maybe this is short-term...for now, I'm baseball mom!

Big Aspirations...like BIG!

2011-05-17T17:53:00.000-07:00

It is here...finally....summer vacation. I'm closing down day 2 of my favorite time of the year! I have big plans to become a regular blogger again. Really.

So far...awesomely great! During the day it is just me and Camy liz. I hope to reset my circadian rhythm soon as I am still waking up at 5:45 am. Early morning coffee and chats with my Mr. before the sun starts to peak through the windows. The boys are out the door by 7:30 am and then I tackle that list of things I want to get done.

So far I have completely cleaned out all the closets, drawers and washed everything from top to bottom upstairs....25 bags to Goodwill/Salvation Army and the top floor feels clean! Downstairs...well, that is a whole different project. Finally, after 10 LLLLOOOOONNNNGGGG years we are remodeling the kitchen. It was the reason we almost did not buy this house. It is the most utilized room in our house. We love to cook. We love to entertain. Why do we not have a kitchen we love? We will soon. I hope. It will still not be close to my dream kitchen...need to save that for my forever house but it will be improved. So, I will save all of that for a post of its own. But let's just say I'm painting my heart out at nap time.

I'm trying new recipes every night and I am reading books for pleasure...it is lovely! I am soaking up my days with my girl. I love having this one-on-one time with her. You should see that girl's dance moves. We dance, we laugh, we go for strolls. She naps and I frantically paint. I have alot of painting to do!

My heart is full and I'm absolutely loving this time and looking towards the months ahead. What a blessing to have a job I love and then to get the time off that I get. What a lucky girl! With that greatness comes hesitation too. Last May was rough...I'm not naive to that. In fact, I am reading a wonderful book, "Heaven is for Real" which is a little boy's account of his brief "visit" to heaven during an appendectomy. We are right at that one year mark of Michael laying on an operating table for an emergency appendectomy. His life lingered as that darn appendix poisoned his body....Camy's diagnosis came 2 days later. That overshadowed Michael's surgery as by that point he was in full recovery mode...I think I am just now going back and processing all that. What a month May '10 was for us. I hate all of that stuff we went through but I have to say that it puts a sweet perspective on my days this May. Stay away bad stuff....you are not welcome here!

2011-03-20T05:58:00.000-07:00

I guess this will be a place marker of sorts....blogging has not been my thing lately. I have gone back to scrapbooking. While I love both, I seem to alternate between the two and find redundancy in trying to do them simulatenously. I went on a fabulous scrapbook retreat a few weekends ago and that was just enough to light my fire again. Caden has 11 books, I am only on Camdyn's 3rd...but her first year is done! She deserves to have these as a gift one day....pages of her mama's love to flip through. Each page of paper I picked out, just for her. My own handwriting, with little love notes to just her. Embellishments purchased, with only her in mind. Yep...it is worth it.

But while I am her, I will give an update on 2011 thus far....

1. We are wrapping up a fabulous spring break! We started with a trip to Rockport. My normal Type A self let go and let MSW plan the entire trip for us. So much fun! We fished (sucessfully), ate way too much seafood, shopped, adventured, spend sweet time with just the four of us and soaked up the beautiful weather. We had so much fun and are already planning our next trip down there. I had no idea Rockport was such a cute little town. The historic district has great shopping and they even have the most adorable scrapbook store.

2. We spent the last part of Spring Break on our yard and garden. We did some re-landscapping in the front and put in my garden in the back. So far we have, tomatos (celebrity, cherry reds, romas and grape), jalapenos and bananna peppers, onions, spinach, strawberries, green beans, zuchinni and my herb garden boasts about 12 different kinds. My seedlings are almost ready for the ground and they will add in carrots, cucumbers, okra and yellow squash. LOVE!!!! I love gardening so much....so do my kids which makes for some fabulous afternoons outside. I also started composting. This is new for me but I am 100% committed to an entirely organic garden from the seeds up. So, let's see how this goes. I'm told if my compost begins to steam that is a good thing, that just makes me want to throw up in my own mouth thinking about it.

3. I have also spent the last half cooking. Trying new recipes that take a little more time than I have on working, week nights. So far they have all been a hit. We brought home so much fresh fish and shrimp (bought) from Rockport that I have been able to experiment with seafood. I must say that my parmesean-crusted grouper topped the Lemon Sole at Wildfish! Last night we had a shrimp boil in the backyard...MSW outdid the Boiling Pot!!! I will have to roll into work tomorrow from all this food we have been eating.

4. Baseball season is under way. It is way more serious than seasons past and that is saying alot. MSW had to be chosen as a coach this year...no more just volunteering. There is also a season tournament at the end of the year and for the first time we are keeping a score board. We are the Cubs! My mom has already made me the most fabulous shirt and then decked out all the boys with awesome uniforms and embroidered hats. I'm team mom...only because no one else stepped up to the plate. So I have their water bottles ready (thank you cricut and your fabulous ways of cutting vinyl) and I've made their nameplates for the dugout. Hey, if I am team mom then by golly I'm doing it right. I'm actually very excited for the season. There is nothing like watching your child play a sport that they absolutely adore. Remind me of that when I am getting the bill for the upstairs window that Caden busted out yesterday with a baseball!

5. I'm on the downslide of work. Only the last part of the semester left. So far teaching 18 hours has been hard and fun. I'm ready for summer break for sure. There are still alot of exciting work things ahead for me this semester so it will make these last couple months fun and exciting.

All right so much more, but I need to start getting everyone ready for church...till next time whenever that might be.....

Snow Day 2011

2011-02-04T13:55:00.000-08:00

I feel selfish saying this, but I needed this day. This past week won...I lost. From the start of the week I was playing catch-up. The side of the coin that I am not used to being on nor like to be. Small daily hassles, the loss of a childhood friend, the loss of a dear, family friend, long, late meetings, etc... All part of life...all coming at me.

I woke up this morning about 5:30 am to a beautiful, prestine site. A quick check proved that doodle, sissy and I would be spening the day at home. Soon we learned daddy would be here for a while too. We went out to enjoy the fresh powder...there was just a little but being that it only happens about every 25 years this far south...snow is snow.

We played, we drank hot chocolate, I crafted, sissy napped. My house is full of kids, squeals and laughter and nerf darts and I don't even care about the mess. The kiddos are having a blast and so am I. Exactly just the type of day that I needed on this unexpected day off with snow!

We had ourselves a party

2011-02-04T13:35:00.000-08:00

We decided to throw ourselves a little party this year. My dear friend, Natalie, and I share birthdays that are within the same week. We had dinner (Carrabbas) and then went bowling. I had so very much fun. Every time I looked around I saw my favorite people, lots of high-fiving, laughing, hugs, fun and true happiness. These core group of friends are my people. Friends from different aspects of my life all coming together to share a good time. It was awesome to see everyone having a great time. Life is about moments just like these!

My daughter has a rare, severe bleeding disorder

2011-01-17T08:43:00.000-08:00

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

A mother's love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking” Helen Rice

My daughter has a rare, severe bleeding disorder...It took me 6 months to let those words come out of my mouth without tears. It has taken me 6 months to get my brain wrapped around, Type III Von Willebrand's. I don't want this for my daughter and I would take it all from her in a heartbeat if that were possible. It is very rare....one in one million odds. It is very difficult to get accurate information and it is a lonely club. With that in mind, I have created Camy Lizzy's Journey with VWD blog. This blog will serve 3 purposes. 1.) To serve as a record of Camy's journey. It is important in her treatment to have everything documented, etc... 2.) To keep family and friends updated. VWD does not define our lives and I don't want to give it much air time on my regular blog 3.) My greatest hope is that another Type III mama might come across this blog when newly diagnosed and I might be able to provide info, hope and comfort.

~35~

2011-01-17T08:07:00.000-08:00

This past year was filled with emotion….ups and downs. I learned that my daughter has a bleeding disorder and watched my husband be rushed into emergency surgery. We went on the most memorable and fun family vacation to Florida. We baptized our sissy belle. We spent so many “regular” days together…laughing, loving and dancing. One week in May pushed me to my emotional limits (Camy’s diagnosis and MSW’s surgery happened the same week). In August, we decided I would resign from my job. A week later I was offered a too good to be true offer to stay. I stayed and then announced as a National Teaching and Excellence award winner. Yes, it is fair to say that while not everything in my 34th year was traumatic or bad….it was a year that I emotionally and psychologically grew the most. I would also be remiss not to mention how my faith deepened too. I love more, I laugh more and I appreciate it all so much more after those experiences. Today, I gladly leave my 34th year behind me and move on to 35.
35 is a big year for me….a benchmark. Since I was 31, I have been talking about “when I turn 35...” So many goals I wanted to achieve by 35. I’m on track and happy to be where I am at 35. I still have so much to learn, though. A list of 35 unique things about me in celebration!
1. I sleep with 4 pillows. If I don’t have them, I don’t sleep. Yes, I travel with them.
2. I am becoming almost fanatical about being organic. I buy as much of our food organically as I can. I don’t use chemicals as cleaners and am very conscious about our water, etc…
3. If anyone had access to my google searches they might send me away to the funny farm. I can find all my answers with google searches.
4. I like living in San Antonio but dream of living in Alabama. My favorite Northeastern city is Boston and I could probably live there too.
5. I love to bake but rarely eat sweets so most of what I bake is given away.
6. As organic as I want to be, I still have my hair highlighted regularly.
7. I love my children more than words can describe, even when they drive me nutty.
8. I really love teaching. I get so excited to walk into my classroom everyday and spend a lot of time thinking and planning my lectures.
9. I personify almost everything. My car has a name as well as my ipad, etc…
10. I can recite the preamble to the US Constitution.
11. I am passionate about my faith and politics but keep both very personal. I don’t feel the need to convince anyone to believe in my beliefs.
12. When my friends and family are happy…it makes me in a good mood and happy.
13. I am becoming an early to bed, early to rise kind of girl. I can probably thank my children for this. Amazing how much you can accomplish before 7:30 am.
14. At 35 I have finally found my amazing core group of friends. I know exactly who I can count on, who can make me laugh, who I can go to for prayer, etc…
15. I love to craft and DIY projects. I have 10,000 projects I want to accomplish.
16. I love twinkle lights, Ferris wheels and hot air balloons.
17. My dream vacation is to Italy and Greece….specifically Tuscany and Santorini. It will probably be 10+ years before I take this trip but I am already planning it.
18. I am Methodist but have a very deep interest in Catholicism. I wish I could have a rosary. 
19. I fix everything I possibly can with my glue gun. Yes, she has a name too and it is Rita.
20. I love to garden and my favorite plants are my plumeria and hydrangea. I would like to include my peony on that list too but the truth is that she has never bloomed. Peonies are my favorite flowers.
21. I love music and have a soundtrack for my life. If I had to name my all time, very favorite, could listen to it 100 times and anytime song it would surprise you. It is Pachelbel's Canon in D major. There has never been a sweeter piece of music.
22. I love chalkboards. Maybe it is the teacher in me? I have them all over my house and office. They contain quotes, scripture and music lyrics.
23. I’m an avid reader. I average about 5 books a month…for leisure, work, learning, parenting, etc…
24. My perfect day is sunny, 85 degrees and dining outside.
25. I always have a vacation in the works. I love to travel and experience new things.
26. On my trip to Italy, I am going to take cooking classes!
27. I don’t like to text. I do it and answer text messages but I’m not a fan. MSW wishes that I would text him sweet notes more often and I should do that for him.
28. I take baths not showers. I cannot go to sleep without bathing. Does not matter if it is 4 am, I will bathe before going to bed.
29. I have been on a 5 year break from my doctoral program. I will eventually finish…one day.
30. I love meeting new people and being inspired by others. I love a good success story and always root for the underdog!
31. I see everything through the lens of my camera. I look at something and think of how I would frame it in my camera.
32. I have increasingly bad vision. Come to find out, I had gestational diabetes with Camdyn’s pregnancy that did a number on my vision. I am scheduled for Lasik next January. I have an overwhelming fear that it is going to result in blindness.
33. I am OCD when it comes to being clean and organized. This applies to me, my house, my children and so on.
34. I make all the beds in the morning and fold down the covers each evening…I should start leaving a mint too, huh.
35. I’m very disappointed in my abs. I had no idea that a c-section would do such a number on them and I am determined to get them back this year!

It's Friday....I'm in Love

2011-01-14T17:20:00.000-08:00

Just recently revived my love for the cure (hence the title) which actually has nothing to do with this post except that it is Friday and I am in love with my new record player!

I have very fond memories of my childhood. It was good stuff. One strong memory that I have is of getting to sleep in the living room on the hideaway bed. I remember my mom putting on a Disney album on the sound system, which at that time was a record player. I would drift off to the tunes of "When you wish upon a star." I think memories like that is what is stirring my love of....hmm...what are they calling it now...oh yes....."vintage".

For instance, I love my instax camera (Polaroid style). You know I love my music so it is only natural that my love of record players is coming back around. For Christmas we got Camy one of those vintage Fisher Price record players. I was totally excited about it!! That got me to thinking about getting me my own. Having never looked into them at this age of digital music, I had no idea where to get one, etc... And if I did get one (assuming it would be second-hand from a thrift store), where could I buy vinyl??? Well, who knew there was this whole vintage revolution out there! So, I find it fitting that for my soon-to-be 35th birthday I bought myself a record player. I love everything about it....lots and lots. I love the color, I love the portability of it and that classic sound...the hum of the white noise as the needle reaches the grooves of the vinyl that takes me right back to the hideaway bed. So far my vinyl collection consists of 3 but, BUT they are my top 3 artists, Norah Jones, Johnny Cash and Bob Marley.

I can't wait for nice weather so that I can host a dinner party in the backyard with tunes pouring from my record player!

a quiet afternoon ramble....

2011-01-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

Don't have anything deep or profound to blog...but it's my blog and I can write meaningless rambles {without pictures} if I want, humf! I actually have a rare, few minutes on the computer. Doddle is still at school and Camy is napping. I finished editing my photography session from this morning, so the computer is up and running, the house is quiet...so why not? Camy cannot stand for me to be on the computer. She has learned how to turn it off....not good when I am in the middle of an unsaved document or edit. Oh well, serves me right for taking up "her time." Sweet angel.

I am going to a training tomorrow with a guru in the field of Learning Communities from Valencia College. Should be interesting...we shall see. I am teaching 3 LC courses in the Spring so I could use any pedagogy I can get! I finished that book and test I was working on at the start of the week. It was dreadful down to the last page.

I ran 5 miles yesterday. Felt great. Could have gone more but my time was up and I still wanted to do an ab workout. Those abs refuse to ever be the same after a C-section, but I keep trying! Isn't it funny how one day 2 miles is the worst thing ever and then the very next day 5 miles is a breeze....what is that about?

I have had an eye twitch for 3 weeks. Is it stress, allergies? I don't really feel like I have either but something is causing it. Maybe it is my new MAC mascara? Hmmm...love it so much I might have to learn to live with the twitch? Surely not....right?

Do you know Zee Avi? If not, get to know them...they play on almost every play list on my ipod. I heart my ipad so much, "paddy" is my bff. She goes everywhere with me and handles all my biz-naz. She is currently playing my Zee Avi and in a minute will remind me of my phone conference at 3...oh and then she will pull up my HEB shopping list and show me Sunday night's recipe. She's cool like that.

I am currently reading the book, The Help {yep, you guessed it on paddy} and it has me a little disturbed. Discrimination makes me squirm. I'll give it a couple more chapters before I put it back on the shelf.

Ok...I hear my baby squirming around. 'Till next useless ramble...smile!

Reality calling....

2011-01-03T07:37:00.000-08:00

It is Monday morning of week 4 of my 4 week vacation. Bittersweet, is probably the best word to describe it. I crawled out of bed early to get doodle ready for school and daddy out the door. I look out my window and it seems the world has gone back to reality. I'm here...kinda in the middle. I am thankful for my time off, so grateful, and know that a week is still alot of time....there are still things on my list I want to get done and special girl time to spend with sissy belle. I also feel a pull to be part of reality too. A schedule, being surrounded by lots of people, a new semester of teaching waiting for me. Maybe it is the acknowledgement of the inevitable. Let's just "get to it" mentality.

This book sits on my desk....it bellows my name. A reminder of the in-between place I am currently in. The middle between still on break but with reality around the corner. A goal of getting three books read and tests taken before I go back. The book is dry and boring. Ten more test questions to answer to be done with it. I should be working on that, instead of blogging. I will get to it...the library due date is the 6th...I've got time.

I miss my boys. I miss doodle's constant requests...wow who would of thought I would miss that???? I wonder how his day back at school is going. Does he miss me? Nope...I'm sure. smile.

Ok...to that list and eventually that book. I will make the most of these last 7 days.

Celebrating 12 beautiful years

2011-01-03T07:20:00.000-08:00

Snapped right before we headed out for the night.

The delicious Lemon Sole that is still calling my name.

The divine Upside down pineapple cake.

When my mom was taking our picture, sissy was tugging on daddy's leg to also be in the picture. So of course, she needed one too with this amazing man. I love the look of adoration in her face.

He is....
* my soul mate (sounds so cliche but true) He knows how to make me smile, anticipates my needs and treats me like a princess.
* the father to our children that exceeds my hopes. He is sweet, involved, loving, a role model, spends quality time with them and the list goes on. They adore him and that makes me adore him even more.
* my inspiration. He has many traits I wish I was more of...such as, patient, forgiving, stress-free and relaxed.
* still giving me butterflies. After all these years (19 together) there is still no one that can catch my eye, except for him.
* my cheerleader. He gives me confidence, he roots me on, he is my biggest fan.
* my partner. A true partner in every sense of the word. We parent together, cook and clean together, play together, go on adventures together, I try his things, he tries mine. I credit this as one of the major factors to our happy and successful marriage.
* the yin to my yang. We fit together perfectly. My weaknesses are his strengths, and vice-versa... We have learned to accept our "roles" in our marriage, play to them, and it has made us so strong as a couple. I lack in mathematical skills, he is a math wiz. So, I don't question and fully trust in his financial guidance for our family. I'm the "sensitive" one. So, when it comes to parenting choices concerning our children's feelings, he listens and trusts in my way of dealing with the situation. It works....we truly respect what each of us brings to the family.
* a listener to my rambles...I go on and on....my stories take forever to tell but he patiently listens to them.
* my handy man. I need something fixed, hung, or moved...he does it, without complaint. I appreciate all that he does just because I ask him to do it. There have been many a night that he is outside in the dark fixing something that I insist needs to be done before the morning. He takes really good care of us and our things.
* my everything.

Yesterday (1-2-11) was our 12th wedding anniversary. I will be honest in saying that with it coming at the tail end of a very busy holiday season, it is difficult to gear up for our special day together in a huge way. We did not have firm plans until about 5pm. Mimi so graciously came into town to stay with the littles so that we could enjoy a few hours together. We celebrated on Saturday night, New Year's Day, so we were not sure what would even be open. I was in the mood for fish so we tried Wild Fish. LOVED IT! MSW ordered Lemon Sole....it was amazing! The sweet guy that he is, he traded plates with me half way through so that I could finish up the sole. Not that my plate lacked in any way. It was delicious crab-stuffed shrimp, but oh the sole was divine! We finished up with the pineapple upside down cake that the waiter insisted we try. Something neither of us would ever think about ordering...thank goodness the waiter had us order. It was simply put....the best dessert ever!!!!

We were not ready to head home so we decided to do something a little out of character and go watch a movie together. MSW checked the movie times on his phone and found that Little Fockers was about to start right down the street. We both enjoy a comedy so we decided to go for it. Not exactly a romantic movie, but something fun to do, together. We laughed and laughed at the silliness! We then headed home for a cozy sleep.

Mimi woke up with the littles and offered to stay at home with them so Michael and I could enjoy an "easy" morning at church. It was nice to just get myself dressed and leisurely walk into church without worrying about room drop-offs, little tears (sissy is still not a fan of baby church), etc... The sermon was great and MSW and I had a chance to reflect on it as we drove back home. We spent the rest of the day with a mixture of togetherness and a little time to ourselves. I got to go get a pedicure and sweet man went for a run and workout at the gym. Sweet little gifts and cards were exchanged...it was a perfect way to celebrate our 12 years of marriage. I love my husband in ways that I can't even describe.

New Year's: 2011

2011-01-03T06:42:00.000-08:00

The Wallis kids are ready to ring in the New Year!

Us...just before midnight!

Right at midnight we went out into the front yard. There were celebrations all around complete with fireworks. The boys were taken with the displays in the sky!

Posing with the New Year's Celebration Cake
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Last night we said goodbye to 2010 and hello to 2011 with very dear friends. A small, last-minute put together affair, at home…just the four of us with our four littles. I had a great time! My boy was way too wild all night, there was the perfect amount of bubbly…not too much, not too little and the company was just right. We all made it to midnight (except for sweet sissy belle who said adios about 8pm) we watched the ball drop, headed outside for an impromptu firework show by some neighbors and little boys running wild in the cold, blowing their horns.
Earlier in the day I thought about my “list” for 2011. 11 happens to be our lucky number by the way. I want to run a half marathon, see Norah in concert, entertain more, live more in the moment and celebrate each moment of this beautiful life. I want to make every effort to make my children’s lives memorable, enjoyable and fun! I want to nourish my marriage. The list goes on….
But, looking back….2010….it was a roller coaster ride. So much good and fun and trying times too. It was a great year of personal growth. May 2010 brought about health scares….learning about Camdyn’s bleeding disease and then Michael having an emergency appendectomy. That month put a lot in perspective for me. I am more in love, more patient, more vulnerable, more fragile and more appreciative for what I have been given. I had a self discovery about my professional life. I recreated my role as professor, I was named a national-award winner for my teaching and I relinquished my supervisory role. 2010 changed me. I walked the rocky road but came out better for it. I still have a lot of learning to do, though.
I embrace you 2011….let’s do this and make it good!

What I appreciated today....

2010-12-30T06:43:00.000-08:00

I think I have more fun decorating this dinner plate, than doodle has with it. Tonight homemade sweet-n-sour chicken, fried rice and snow peas adorn Mr. Funny Face.

Best running shoes ever! An hour today of straight running and my feet still felt great!

Him teaching her....love that!

Happy girls!

After the rain comes the sunshine

2010-12-30T06:37:00.000-08:00

The weather has been soupy lately....we need the rain but it is putting a damper on our daily plans. So, when the sun came out this afternoon we all jumped at the chance to run and play! Doodle is enjoying his new basketball hoop and bike! Sissy belle just loves being outside!

Christmas morning

2010-12-29T12:16:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

2010-12-29T12:13:00.000-08:00

It has become tradition to spend Christmas Eve at our house. Kinda a central location for everyone, gives us a chance to go to Christmas Eve services and I like to host! This year MSW and I opted for an Italian Feast! Homemade lasagna (truly all from scratch, lasagna), chicken piccata, salad and a variety of 'antipasti.' With Christmas music playing, the fire crackling and our littles playing all around us...we cooked our hearts out. I will always remember cooking this meal with my sweet man. We laughed, we sampled, we stopped to dance to our favorite Christmas songs. The food was yummy but the memories...even better! Wish I would have taken more pics of it all...

Us on Christmas Eve at our house before dinner.

Baked and decorated "cookeys" for Santa. The note inside was so cute....it is hidden away in my memory chest.

Sweet brother and sister...okay so she really did not want him to hold her and he really was squeezing her but I'll take what I can get!

Dinner....nothing was left over!

It was a wonderful evening!

Gingerbread House 2010

2010-12-29T08:16:00.000-08:00

I knew seeing all that candy would be torturous for the baby girl so we waited until nap time. I read a little tip that made all the difference this year. Instead of trying to put the house together with that impossible royal icing, hot glue it together.

The baby doll @ 14 months

2010-12-29T07:31:00.000-08:00

How can so much happiness and love be tied up into one precious, little soul? She is...

*smart, so smart! She has has a huge vocabulary and is very inquisitive. She asks, "what's that?" about a 1000 times a day. If you don't answer her right away, she will get right in your face and ask, "What's that?!?!"
*I bought her 3 new dresses yesterday and they were laying on my hope chest. She just brought them to me and asked, "Who's these?" When I told them they were hers, she hugged them and said, "Thank you!" GENIUS!
*when i pick her up out of her crib in the mornings, she hugs me tightly and says, "love you."
*she is a pro at walking and even runs sometimes.
*she is becoming a daddy's girl more and more each day. At Christmas in Pearsall after being passed around and around she finally landed in her daddy's arms, she looked up at him, patted his chest and said, "My dada!"
*she loves, loves, loves clothes and baby dolls.
*(knock on wood) is a great sleeper. She goes down in her crib easily and sleeps most night for 10-12 hours.
*has a sweet tooth like I have never seen before. Girl loves her some chocolate!
*handles her VWD like a rock star. At any point has several bruises but never slows her down much.
*she is a perfect mixture of sweet & sass. As the only girl at daycare, she rules the roost of boys. She bosses them around all day long and is very equipped to assert herself when need be.
*she is a genuinely happy baby.
*has a contagious laugh and smiles with her whole face.
*has the most delicious thighs and cheeks....totally could eat her up with a spoon.

I love you, sweet baby.

Working my fingers to the bone all the while with a happy heart

2010-12-29T06:37:00.000-08:00

It happens every year. I am so excited to get all the Christmas up and start right after Thanksgiving dinner. It is beautiful when I am done and I enjoy it ALOT. But, then about a week before Christmas I am over it. I am tired of the clutter and the dead tree. I hold on to Christmas Day but on the morning of the 26th...it all comes down. Maybe it is my OCD...maybe it is my readiness to start January with a different feel....I love a sparkling, clutter-free home to ring in the new year.

Up early, before everyone else. I start downstairs first, collecting every little trace of Christmas cheer. The fam wakes up and we migrate to the garage. Uh-oh....the garage. It needs a make-over too! I got a new car 2 days before Christmas and she does not fit into the garage without the Mr. tearing down some shelves. Might as well start there. A little demo work and reorganization of all my decoration storage boxes and the garage is done. The tree is out and Christmas 2010 is packed away. Now begins the real work.... (But the next day because that project took 12 hours!)

The upstairs was the first complete clean. Furniture moved around, bathrooms scrubbed, closets cleaned out and carpets steam cleaned....whew! A little new decorating going on too but I still am picking out curtains for our bedroom. Another 12 hour work day.

And then on to the project I am dying to do. It is my little motivation to do things in a certain order. I start with my least favorite thing and work towards what I am most excited to do....keeps me motivated to get to the "fun things." I have been over our living room for a while but was not sure what to do. I do not want new furniture yet...doodle is still way too rough and dirty to do that! So, a little face lift will have to do for now. I had two goals with this room: lighten it up and make it fun. New curtains and throw pillows and little details that make it happier. Pictures to come soon as some of the details are finished.... I sewed for 8 hours yesterday. I don't fancy myself as a seamstress but I am pretty proud of my Anthropologie inspired designs.

All that awaits me is my kitchen. The cabinets need to be cleaned out and baseboards washed. My new refrigerator is set to be delivered in February so I might wait until closer to that time so that I can really do a make-over on the kitchen but as cluttered as the pantry is right now I am sure I will do something in there this week.

In the midst of all this de-cluttering and cleaning are two little helpers. Sometimes requiring me to do the same thing 3 or 4 more times after their "help" and we have to take several breaks for snacks, diaper changes or cuddles but they make my work so much more fun. We crank up the music and "go to town."

Girls' Week with my baby doll

2010-12-16T06:16:00.000-08:00

I am officially in the first week of my four weeks off. Doodle is still in school this week and MSW is working so that leaves just me and my girl. It is times like this that I truly realize how much I love having a daughter! Don't get me wrong, I am so excited to have both boys home too next week. But, there is something special about just having some girl time. We have had a very productive week so far. Monday I had my annual doctor's appointment, so after a little morning "Targeting" Crystal came and watched Camy for a little while and then hung out with us for the rest of the afternoon. Tuesday was a little more exciting as the morning begun with Camy locking me out of the house. Yes, she was inside and I was outside! A quick call to daddy had rescue on the way. She sat at the back door watching me freeze as she giggled at me the whole time. We had a more low-key afternoon, cleaning out closets upstairs.

Yesterday was a busy day! We loaded up early and headed out to finish our Christmas shopping. 6 hours at La Cantera, a nap in the stroller and lots of gifts bought! She is such a great little shopping partner! Today she will hang out with daddy this afternoon while I have a shoot and tomorrow she will go see her friends for a couple hours while I host Cade's school party.

It has truly been a great week and I am looking forward to next week too! I promised Cade a Christmas activity every day! Need to get working on those ideas!

Girls' Christmas Party

2010-12-16T06:03:00.000-08:00

We are blessed to have so many wonderful friends who share such awesome Christmas traditions with us. One of my highlights is the Girls' Christmas Party that Natalie hosts each year. The food is amazing, there is always some type of gift exchange that is fun and exciting and I always have such fun with all the girls that Nat invites. This year was probably my favorite, they are all amazing, but this year's theme was...."My Favorite Things." It was so much fun to see what everyone brought and what everyone chose as their gifts...we laughed and laughed!

Laurel turns ONE!

2010-12-16T05:54:00.000-08:00

I'm not a fan of all these "characters" you keep trying to make me pose with, people!

After football and before an evening Christmas party, we traveled to Austin for Laurel's first birthday party. Such a cute party with a visit from Frosty! It was so great being able to celebrate the 1st birthday of such a special little friend!

Santa Party

2010-12-16T05:48:00.000-08:00

Every year some of our friends host a Santa party. It is a great party full of yummy food, great people and a visit from the big man. As I suspected, Camy was not a fan. I know the end of believing for Caden is coming, but for now, he still believes in Santa and I love that!

Update on the Wallis homefront

2010-12-06T17:33:00.000-08:00

The intentions of blogging are there...oh memories for my children waiting to be documented. Alas, it is the thing on the list that keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the things to do list. I love to blog...it is my reward for getting everything done; however, as of late, I just have not been able to mark through enough of my tasks. So tonight, with a hot cup of Abuleto hot chocolate on my desk...enough is marked of to blog.

Let's see a catch up of sorts!?? Doodle has become our star football player. He is one of the youngest, playing against mostly 8 and 9 year olds. It makes me sick out of my mind during the games but he is having so much fun. The season ended last Saturday but his team made it to the playoffs and those start this Saturday. School is going well and so far he has straight A's. He has lost his two bottom teeth and is growing tall.

That baby girl of ours is doing wonderfully well. She is walking all over the place and talking up a storm. Her favorite phrases are "What's that" and "Who's that?" She is starting that phase of stranger anxiety but so far the only time is at church. She cries for two minutes when we drop her off and then is all smiles and play as we watch through the two-way mirror before heading into the sanctuary.

Speaking of church, our family was chosen to light and recite the prayer for the lighting of the final Advent candle. This should be interesting. All four of us attempting to light the candle as we recite our lines and prayer. We are a bunch of clumsy clowns so this could be very interesting.

I am in the last week of work for a while. Last week marked the final lectures and this week is finals. Friday is my last day and I do not report back until January 10th! So ready for a break. Deciding to keep my job has been both a blessing and hard some days. Most days it is a great balance. I pick Camy up shortly after she wakes up from her nap and snack and doodle is picked up within a short time of getting out of school. Those are the days I don't feel guilt. But then there are those days that I stay later at work....a student with a crisis, a senate meeting, etc... There is a constant struggle to give my best to everything. I struggle with that. Then comes those moments that pulls it all together. It was announced on Friday that I am the 2010 recipient of a National Teaching and Excellence Award. I am really excited! To be honored with this award is really special, especially considering that 2 months ago I was about to walk away from it all. I have no doubt that I am where God wants me to be at this time in my life. It is not easy every day and it does not feel like the right decision every day but every day I try my best and to be recognized for that feels good. So in May me and my sweet husband will stay in a fancy hotel room and attend a special evening in which I will receive my NISOD medal and recognition.

On the home front, we are in full Christmas spirit. The house is decked out from top to bottom. There are a million twinkle lights and a big, fresh tree! Half of the shopping is done and the Christmas cards are sent. I think the season will truly begin this Friday when I am done with work. We kick off the weekend with 3 holiday parties so that should for sure get us in the spirit!

I hope to be doing alot more documenting of our lives in the next few weeks.

Fall, Family and Fun

2010-11-22T12:12:00.000-08:00

If I had it my way, we would go on an adventure every weekend. But, with sports and school activities and life....well, that does not get to happen every weekend. We did have a family adventure this past weekend. We went to Lost Maples park in Vanderpool. We took a picnic lunch and ventured out on some of the trails. The maples are not that colorful this year but that did not take away from our fun. I took my camera along to capture some fall pictures before we snap our Christmas photos this coming weekend. I love just spending time with these 3 people.

Good Day with a "snack"

2010-11-07T18:36:00.000-08:00

We were due for a great day! Camy's shots did not go well. NOT AT ALL! But that is a story for another time as I just don't have it in me to go through all of that again. MSW has been working very long hours all week due to year end close and on top of everything my dog of 9 years got out Friday night and is still missing. My strength, patience and heart have all been tested the past few days.

We were due for a good day.

Both littles slept through the night! Doodle has been dealing with a stomach bug of sorts and poor, baby girl was literally treated like a pin cushion on Thursday and has not slept well since. This mama and daddy needed some sleep and both angels, obliged. Of course, they were up at 5:00 am. Daddy got up and let me sleep a little longer. He brought up coffee about 7:00 which was his earnest attempt at waking me up for help...wink!

With already being up and it still being super early we decided to go to the 8:30 service at church instead of our normal 9:45. We learned the pre-requisitie of the 8:30 service requires being over the age of 65! Only one childcare room was open and there is no Sunday school at 8:30 for doodle so that meant into service with us he went.

We were due for a great day!

This morning we received Holy Communion and I soon realized this was doodle's first time. We sandwiched him in between us in line and he balked as soon as there was mention of blood and a cup thrust towards him. With an urge from either side, he lightly dipped his bread and went on. It was all lost on him.

The day was beautiful and glorious. We did some chores around the house, sat outside in the grass and finished up doodle's science fair project. We went to the gym as a family and I decided for some reason that I would take an 1.5 hour advanced yoga class. It was apparent very quickly that my core strength still has yet to return and my yoga language is rusty. My yogster lady spoke in Yogi the whole time. She eventually came over to me and pushed me lower into a poise and I am pretty sure that I will not be able to walk or move my arms tomorrow. But, I made it through and "passed" as she put it. It felt great to redirect my thoughts for that time. Nothing clears my head like a good workout.

We came home and I made a yummy dinner! Fall Pork chops, mashed potatoes and green beans. While we were eating we filled out our colorful leaves for the finishing touches to our 2010 Thankful Tree. You know, I would be lying if I did not hesitate and think about the things I don't feel lucky about. I am missing and worried about Sophie and I am beyond sad about all that Camy had to endure this week. However, I think the right thing...the healthy thing to do is focus on all the blessings. I worked really hard in church this morning to let go of the anger, frustration and self-pitty and move on and trust.

Before doodle went off to dreamland thinking about Nerf guns, silly bandz or sports; we talked about what the meaning of Holy Communion. He listened and nodded his head while I told the meaning. When I was done he said, "got it, mama and I just thought they were giving us a little snack to calm our nerves!"

Once I composed myself from laughing uncontrollably and kissing him all over for being so stinking cute, I had a second thought. You know what? I walked into church needing to find my peace with recent events and what I got was exactly a little "snack" that calmed my nerves. My clever boy!

And it was a really, really good day....all things considered.

2010-11-03T19:06:00.000-07:00

I don't think I have blogged the full story on Camy's bleeding disorder...I've talked it so much but not sure I've actually written it all out. Part of the reason is that everything is still so inconclusive. The last test results by our new Hematologist at Santa Rosa showed she did have low levels of Von Willebrand factor but that her specimen clotted which is contradictory within itself. So we've lived life the past 6 months as normal. She has had no problems at all...which is in no small part to the amazing prayers that are said for her each day. And so, most days we don't even think about Mr. Von Willebrand's Disease! But, then those moments happen that shake me to the core. The first few seconds of seeing blood on her or the glimpse of her smacking her head into something. And then came the biggest of all so far, her fall on the back patio.

What started as such a wonderful afternoon ended in crisis mode. Baby girl took a spill....no, more accurately she face planted onto the saltillo tile. The moment, the sound is forever imprinted on my brain. The look on doodle's face and his mix of hysterical laughing/crying that happens when a 6 year old mind can't process the gravity of what just happened makes the moment all the more vivid.

I was three short feet away, turning just in time to see it and not be able to react fast enough to stop it...guilt, oh the guilt I feel! She laid face down, I swooped her up straight into the crease of my neck. She was hurt, badly and I could tell that from the cry. I dug deep into my mothering instincts and mustarded up a strength that surprised me...a rational thinking in such a dire situation. It must have been 3 short seconds but it was enough time to gather my thoughts before I took action. I expected blood and lots of it....straight to the ER with her Humate P? Call 911? Don't let Caden see this too! Ice, pressure...all the training I have done. I sent doodle to the kitchen to gather ice packs, partly for first aide and partly to get him away so that I could assess the damage without him seeing. I still had not seen the damage on her beautiful face. With him out of sight, I pulled her from neck. An immediate calming went through me....NO BLOOD! None! Zip! She had a bump on her cheek bone that was growing and faint bruising already starting. Relief!!!! A VWD, Type III is not supposed to handle that hard of a fall that well! Thankful I sent the boy for an ice pack, I went into action. We iced, we called daddy and her HTC nurse. We watched for symptoms that never happened and we loved on the baby all night long. Of course, my daylight she looked 100X worse as the bruising darkened and spread. I took her in to see the Hematologist as how can you really be too careful in these situations. All was fine...in fact great, considering. Everyone says, "it does not look that bad!" But to me, it does. I actually am still getting a twinge in my tummy every time I see it. She, on the other hand, minus the first 5 minutes after it happened has not shown a sign that it bothers her in the least.

Tomorrow we go back to Santa Rosa. This time for shots. Because of her VWD, we do shots with them in a specialized manner. I would be lying if I did not say that I am beyond nervous. Last time, it took her 18 hours to clot after shots. My ice chest is already sitting by the front door...Humate P will go in first thing in the morning, our saving grace if you will. Should she run into any problems we will administer her factor and she will clot. I don't want to go down that road but if we have to...what a blessing to have it. The thought of her having to go through all of that tomorrow has kept a lump in my throat for two weeks now. I can't wait for it to be over with.

My heartstrings tugging for the boy

2010-11-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

If I am honest with myself, I admit that I feel such a pressure to raise a good, responsible boy. I feel such a responsibility to shape him into a wonderful man. I am not really sure why I see it as such a challenge? He has a wonderful role model in his father...I know that. It seems like everyday I am inundated with information on the implications of the "diminishing male" in higher education. And, it is just not education...though, I did just engage in an e-mail exchange with his teacher (go ahead and call me a helicopter parent) for I will absolutely and always be involved in his education. The boy brings home straight A's and is in Gifted and Talented and we are proud, oh so proud....but still I want to make sure that he is being challenged on a daily basis. Still it is more than all that. The boy thing...it is tricky for this mama to understand.

Maybe I will feel that way with Camy down the road but I am not so sure. I think I have a handle on the girl thing...being a girl and all. I guess time will tell on that one.

Boys have a physical energy that is exhausting. The boy plays flag football and baseball and still runs circles around my energy level each day. How to harness all that energy into a constructive manner. Don't misunderstand me...we let him be a child at every turn. We actually are holding him back from joining other activities to keep him from being "scheduled" each and every day. He needs days to just ride his bike, color in the drive way and play with the neighborhood kids.

But still....how to I ensure that he will grow to be a strong, confident, young man? I don't have the answers but just try my best everyday to mother that boy in a way that encourages the man I hope him to be. So here's to raising those boys...

She is one!

2010-11-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

Dearest Camdyn,

Today you are one! Today we will celebrate the sweetest, baby girl! One year ago I was lying on an operating table so nervous but so ready to meet you. For so long you seemed like only a dream or a hope to us. But, today we rejoice in one year with our sweet princess. I don’t know what we did without you for you add so much happiness and sunshine to our lives’. You were born at 10:17 am….4 days before your scheduled c-section. We bonded immediately, it was like I had always known you from the second I looked into your little dark eyes. I wanted another baby so badly…boy or girl, it did not matter. However, from the moment daddy held you up to my face I had an overwhelming gratitude that you were a girl. I had no idea how much my heart truly desired a daughter.
You are a perfect mix of sugar and spice. You can hold your own and that comes in handy with your adoring, big brother. You love to be loved on and you greet me each morning with a big hug and sweet little pats. Sometimes those little pats become swats during the day when things don’t go your way and you feel the need to assert yourself. May you always be a perfect mixture of both!
I have this overwhelming desire to make things perfect for you. I have obsessed over your party. You deserve the perfect day. So as I woke up to thunderstorms this morning, my heart wept for you to have your perfect day. Daddy assured me that it would be great weather by party time and he was right. Maybe it stems from the pity I feel for you for having to deal with your bleeding disorder or the pain I feel each time you have to get poked and tested. I wish over and over that I could take it away from you! However, you are handling it with the grace and strength that only you could do. We count our blessings each day that you have not had any significant problems and my greatest prayer is that you never do. In fact, if a blood test did not show that you have low levels of Von Willebrand factor we would never know!
You are smart…so, so smart. You say so many words. Mama, dada, more, uh-oh spagettios and thank you. I swear you said “bless you” after I sneezed in the car the other day and when you are tired you whine…..mama, night-night, mama, night-night over and over until I take you to your crib. You love your room. On nights when I would much rather snuggle you in my bed you won’t have it and want your crib. You fall to sleep each night to your itunes playlist and your love-love and blanket near by.
You are starting to walk! I suspect that you really could have done it a couple of months ago as I would catch glimpses of you cruise from one piece of furniture to another without holding on but you officially waited until your first birthday to walk.
You are beautiful! Daddy and I always marvel at your beauty….your cute little cheeks, perfect little nose and sparkling eyes. I am told all the time how pretty you are so I know it is not just our bias, my sweets. With that prettiness comes the sass too. You love all things pink and frilly! You can shop for hours and run your little hands over all the clothes. When I show you an outfit that you really like, you light up and hold on to it for the rest of our shopping. You sit with me each morning as I apply my make-up like you are learning just how to do it to yourself one day. We are going to have so much fun together!
I love your baby rolls and chunky thighs. At 12 months you weigh in at 23 pounds! In some ways you look so much like Caden but you are also very much your own. You love your brother. He is patient and kind with you. He will sit for hours and read to you or roll a ball to you. You eat up any attention that he gives to you most of the time. When he keeps picking on you when we are in the car you have learned very quickly to give him a screech and shove his hand away to say you have had enough.
My most favorite of yours is your belly laugh…it starts out like a little rodent growl and escalates to full-on belly jiggling laugh. We call you the Camster Hamster because of the way you start your laugh. You laugh with your entire face and it does not take much to get you going. You think splashing around in the bath tub is the funniest thing that you have ever seen, followed only by brother’s fancy dance moves.
You are the only girl at Laura’s and that works to your advantage every day. I am pretty sure you do whatever you please there. I think Jayce is your favorite and you always share your food with him at lunch. Laura and Jesse call you “pink lady” in reference to your attire. You dress up every day because you love it, I love it and you have the most beautiful clothes. I realize I am creating a fashion diva and it does not bother me in the least!
You have made my life so much better and that is saying a lot because my life was perfectly happy before. So, Camy, sissy-belle, camster, the sister, baby girl, Elizabeth Wallis, Happy First Birthday, baby doll. I love you all the world!

Your adoring mama

She is a good one....a keeper for sure!

A new day starts....Now!

2010-10-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

I often hear, " I don't know how you do it all." I do not take it as a compliment, because I realize that I am spread so thin that I am not sure that I do any of it all that well. After alot of soul-searching and prayer, MSW and I decided that I would resign from work in December. This was two weeks ago. A week ago I set my appointment with my chair, VP and HR. In my mind, it was a done deal.

I will confess that there are aspects of my job that I really love. I love to teach. Really love it. I see my opportunity to work with students who have never had anyone support them my stewardship. I have met some of the most amazing people. I love my hours and the time that I have off. With all that goodness comes the yuck too. For the past five years I have been a supervisor. I have several faculty and staff that report to me. I take on alot of stress worrying about these people.

When I laid out my plan for the higher-ups I got a great gift back that I never expected. I was offered the opportunity to resign from my coordinator position and teach full-time,keeping my current salary, title and tenure. An offer that really is too good to be true. So as of today, I reinvent my professional self. I am DW, Assistant Professor...that is it...no more coordinator behind my name (that comes with all the admin headaches I was having.) As of today, I am only responsible for myself and 100% work for my students. Deep breath.

Friday night MSW and I had a date night that included painting my new office. A cute periwinkle blue. Today I moved in...a fresh start in a cute office. I am already feeling more balance in my life. I picked up my littles, was home in 20 minutes (love the new super street!!!!), dinner was cooked, served and eaten by 5:30 and then we spent the rest of the afternoon outside until the sun faded into the distance. I think this is all going to work out just fine...

Bits & Pieces of our Fall '10

2010-10-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

The doodle bug is playing flag football. It's well....interesting. I am not sure of all the rules but he is having fun and that is all that matters. We are on the football field by early Saturday morning and by afternoon it is to the baseball diamond. The seasons overlap for a few weeks so we are crazy busy on Saturdays cheering on the doodle bug.

The sissy is less than two weeks shy of turning one. We are knee-deep in party prep! Her bangs are getting long and she now refuses to keep a bow in her hair (I knew the day was coming).

She loves, loves, loves her brother even when he carriers her like this (he was fetching her from crawling close to the street.) It looks torturous but I guarantee you that she was laughing so hard the whole time he carried her back.

Ugg! With her birthday being so close to Halloween I could not decide if I should decorate or not. Her party is not at all Halloween themed so they are not going to match with the How Sweet She Is decor. Oh well! I love me some Halloween decorations and doodle was not going to stand for me not decorating for it, so our guests will be greeted with Halloween only to become immersed in the middle of a pink sea of sweetness!

Sissy Belle's Tea Party Shoot

2010-09-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

T-minus one month until my baby love turns one. While that is incomprehensible to me, I keep myself focused on her party as not to think about the fact that she is almost one! I think I had this photo shoot in my head long before I ever had a little girl. I got bit my fire ants and huge mosquitoes in the process but finding the right spot was worth those minor inconveniences. She loves the frills and fuss...we make a great pair. She had so much fun during the shoot that I cannot wait to see her at her birthday party! I love you camy girl!

Now this makes me smile....

2010-09-07T18:29:00.000-07:00

MSW is coaching baseball again this season. Doodle is now moving up to machine pitch which requires a catcher. He could not wait for dad to go pick up the equipment bag so he could try out the catcher's gear. I just might have cried and laughed all at the same time when i saw him in this get-up....be still my beating heart!

Back to the grind....

2010-09-07T18:26:00.000-07:00

Mama...back to work as a college professor...load-5 classes...mood=sad
Doodle...back to school as a 1st grader...mood=ecstatic
Camy....back to Ms. Laura's....mood=she had no idea what was coming

And so begins a new school year for us all. Doodle loves his teacher and is doing great so far! The politics of my school year have been difficult with alot of changes but I have some really great students. One of my psych student says at the end of each class as he exits, "your the best, teach!" I laugh every time! It took Camy a couple of weeks to adjust back but she seems to be enjoying her little friends more and more each day.

Back to school dinner

2010-09-07T18:21:00.000-07:00

I have started the tradition of a "back to school dinner" the night before a new school year. Doodle picks the menu (this year was homemade lasagna) and he gets to enjoy a little back to school gift. Gosh....1st grade how did that happen?

friends & family celebrate Miss C

2010-09-07T18:18:00.001-07:00

I could kick myself for not getting pictures of everyone who shared this day with our baby girl. Though, to my credit, almost everyone walked in the door with a bag of clothes to change into....it was a hot day :) Such sweet people fill our lives and I still tear up thinking about looking out from the stage in the church to the pews filled with people who love and support our darling girl.

Sissy belle's Baptism lunch

2010-09-07T18:02:00.000-07:00

After church, we had our guests over for a celebration luncheon. I went simple with the menu...needed something that I could quickly pull from the fridge as we arrived home from church. The menu consisted of chicken salad, pimento&cheese and cream cheese cucumber sandwiches, pasta salad and fruit. The cake was a pink lemonade, 3-layer cake...it was pretty but was a little too tart.

Sissy Belle's Baptism

2010-09-07T17:55:00.000-07:00

She was baptized on a hot August day, just a couple days after daddy's 35th birthday. It was a small affair with huge love and meaning. She wore a Strausburg gown, personalized bloomers and socks and a James Avery cross given to her by us for this special day. For her, I carried her monogrammed handkerchief that I hope she will also carry on her wedding day. She didn't cry when the holy water was placed on her head and she was blessed by Pastor Lewis. In the pews sat our nearest and dearest that watched our baby girl receive this special offering. Tucked away in my hope chest is memories of the day for her one day to cherish....her baptism clothing, her handkerchief and a card from mommy and daddy explaining to her what this day means. To me this will be one of those most meaningful days that I will always remember.

'round here.....

2010-09-07T17:46:00.000-07:00

'round here...sometimes we paint the littlest piggies in the house.

'round here...sometimes we just love on each other.

'round here....sometimes we brave the 100+temps and head to Sea World.

'round here....sometimes we find a freshly bathed, naked baby roaming the house.

and so the blog must wait....

2010-09-07T16:50:00.000-07:00

I sat down at the computer to blog....an actual post with pictures and substantial writing. But, as soon as I did I feel a little hand on my leg followed by....ma maaaaa maaaa. And so off I go to dance with my sissy belle AND blog....well, you will just have to wait again.

Dear blog,

2010-08-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

Dearest blog,

I miss you....I really do. I think about coming to you and telling you all about life, doodle's first day of 1st grade, Camy's baptism, our (my) new obsession with outdoor movie night, etc... One day, surely?!?!

In my earnest attempt, I leave the following. She is nothing short of beautiful.....

House Tour: Sissy Belle's Room

2010-07-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

It was a year ago this time that I was obsessing over my baby girl's room. Yes- it is pink, pink, pink and I love, love, love it. The bedding is Caden Lane and the muse for her room is cupcakes (which I need to expand). She loves her room and is starting to really play in there too. She has baby dolls that she loves and books that she loves to pull off the shelves. It is very girly and very appropriate for the sister. I love that there are so many things in this room that were handmade for her by me, friends and family. I love all the personalization too! This baby girl deserves to be surrounded by all that sweetness!

More din-din

2010-07-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Sunday night's meal. An actual table that is set!
Menu:
Cesar Salad
Chilled broiled shrimp
Rice
Artichokes

Note to self: Buy 3 artichokes next time, 2 is no longer enough. Doodle bug ate 1.5 by himself.

Monday night's dinner...back to the work week.
Menu:

Grilled blue cheese burgers (this is a good place to use ground turkey)
Pasta Salad in creamy Parmesan
Cream Cheese filled jalapenos
Fixings for the burgers

Morning giggles

2010-07-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

*Make sure you have your speakers on!

Untitled from Dee Wallis on Vimeo.

Peach Cobbler

2010-07-25T20:08:00.000-07:00

These peaches are perfect!

Slice up 8 peaches and put in the bottom of a greased 8x8 dish. The crust is actually a crumble that you mix up and sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Gotta put the ice cream on top!

I got off track with the dinner/room posts. Doodle bug had a performance at church thursday night and Friday night is always our dinner out night. So, I'll stretch it out.... I just threw together a quick dinner Saturday since we were tired from being in Fredericksburg all day but I did have to use some of our fresh peaches that night! I made peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream on top. Yummy! I love the recipe because it is super easy and not too sweet! The peaches were delicious! Sissy belle is really enjoying them too!

And there goes his first tooth...

2010-07-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

Doodle bug woke up Saturday morning and came into our room. An announcement was made that his tooth was wiggly. Half awake I reached over to feel the wiggly tooth. I expected a tooth that maybe at the very best had a little wiggle to it. I had to do a retake after feeling that tooth. It was hanging on by a thread! It literally went from nothing to almost about to fall out. We spent the day in Fredericksburg cutting up all his food and treats into tiny bites to protect the wiggly tooth. I told stories of how my dad would tie dental floss to my loose tooth and the other end to a door knob and then close the door. We talked up the tooth fairy and wagered on how much money she would leave. We came home and I was making dinner and doodle was sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor. He looked up and in a very surprised and slightly panic voice exclaimed, "my tooth fell out!" Low and behold it sure did. Only doodle looses his tooth in one day.

A letter was written to the tooth fairy proclaiming that "My mom wants to keep the tooth", "I have a baby sister...you can go look at her", "She has 7 teeth." Sweetness!! The tooth was placed under his pillow and off to dreamland he went.

The tooth fairy did come. She left fairy dust, a twenty spot and a reply letter that checked the "yes" box that mom could keep the tooth and that she would bring it back.

So....we have one kiddo loosing teeth and one just getting them!

House Tour: Part 3

2010-07-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

This is the most lived in room in our house. These pictures will probably not accurately capture the size of our bedroom. It is huge! Because of the size, it is the central room upstairs. Over time, it has become our tv room, computer room and craft room. As we added each of you into our lives we lost a room that served another purpose (i.e. doodle's room used to be my craft room and Camy's room used to be our office.) So, we do alot of living in our bedroom. It is such a hard room to decorate because of it's multipurposeness. I keep bedding and curtains basic and then change out the accessories with the seasons. There is not a theme in here...mostly things that make us happy or that are here out of necessity. There is hot glue stuck to the carpet in multiple spots, wrapping paper peeks out from under our bed and the old hope chest (given to my grandmother when she turned 15 by her father that she passed down to me)really deserves an update. I spent weeks up here when I was on bed rest with doodle's pregnancy and recovering from camy's c-section. If someone brings me food, I really never have to leave up here. I have my crafts, my computer, my bed and most of the time all 3 of my loves are right here too.

Wednesday's Menu

2010-07-21T18:47:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago daddy and I went to dinner at Roaring Fork. I am not sure what tickled my fancy and made me order the carnitas. It was so delicious. I have been thinking about it since then and came across a recipe to make it. The meat had to marinate overnight in a mixture of stuff like orange peels, Pepsi and soy sauce. It then had to simmer all afternoon. I went ahead and made a pot of beans to simmer right along next to it. I must admit it was pretty yummy!

Tonight's Menu
Carnitas in fresh flour tortillas (thank you bakery)
Pinto Beans
Spanish rice
sliced avocado and tomatoes

*No picture of Camarita tonight, she had the squash left over from last night.

Does not look to yummy sitting there simmering. However, it was sure nice just to let the beans and meat simmer all afternoon while we were swimming

I love to make rice. I always use organic brown and white rice and Texmati is the best! Spanish rice is a fun one to make! The bell pepper was from our garden. Sadly, only the peppers, 2 lemons and 3 peaches remain in the garden besides all the herbs in the herb garden.

The finished meal!

House tour: Part 2

2010-07-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

Let's tour our dining room and living room. First up is the dining room. New color....doodle and I just painted this on our spring break this year. Before, it was a rustic red/orange. It was dark and I was tired of the color. I wanted something that popped in this little space. The evening sun pours into this area and I wanted a color that was bright, fun and opened up the room. Because daddy let's me do whatever I want, I picked this color. It is fun, a little crazy and blends in with the others. The furniture is a hand-me-down from momene. It used to be brown but I repainted it a couple of years ago.

We celebrate holidays, birthdays and other momentous meals in here. Our every day eating happens at the kitchen table.

The living area is mostly doodle's domain. We thought about buying new sofas but opted until the kiddos are older. doodle, you have destroyed this couch. There are marker stains, food and everything else under the cushions. If you open any cabinet you will find toys, markers, balls, etc...

I am working on an idea of what to put over the fireplace??? The whole room used to be a Noah's Ark theme and this painting is all that remains. Hmmm...I am thinking a personalized decal or another piece of art.

One might think that I am egocentric with all the family photos that hang in this room. For me photography is art and there is nothing that makes me happier than the faces of those that I love. Over kill? Possibly but I will never be convinced that I have too many family pictures in this room!

The stories behind this room that you cannot see....The corner of my marble top coffee table is hot glued together. Only doodle could be capable of breaking a marble table! This room has celebrated bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays and entertaining friends. It holds so many memories of welcoming family and friends into our home. It has been transformed into a dining area during Thanksgiving and often serves as our dance floor.

Tuesday's Menu

2010-07-20T17:59:00.000-07:00

Another grilling night! I try to serve fish at least once a week. We prefer salmon, mahi-mahi or ahi tuna. I always grill or bake/broil our fish. Another tip tonight is to always use Olive oil in your cooking. Olive oil is good for you and I don't think you can find a better tasting oil. So, on tonight's menu....

Caesar salad
Grilled ahi tuna marinated in olive oil and lime
Steamed brocollini
Roasted zucchini seasoned with olive oil, lemon and garlic
Parmesan and spinach pasta

A couple notes on the veggies for tonight. I love to use the steam bags. Steaming vegetables is the best way to cook them. When you boil, you loose nutrients in the water and chance them becoming rubbery. These bags are super easy and great to use! I mostly make all of our salad dressings. I enjoy making them and I appreciate the fact that I am not serving a processed dressing. I picked up this little salad dressing book when we were in Sonoma Valley...it is Divine!!!

Grilling is fast, easy and is my favorite way to cook our fish.

Dinner is served!

Camy's dinner is served. Tonight was more avocado, fresh banana and some of the pasta I made for dinner. She had a ball "playing" with her food tonight. She looked so cute and had so much fun I just let her play. I consider this her nightly facial...hey, isn't avocado good for the skin???

Your first home: Part 1

2010-07-19T21:13:00.000-07:00

To my little loves,

I was thinking today how much I have enjoyed you both this summer. I love spending every day, all day with you. I reflected on the trips, the pool time, etc...But, I also thought about the "everdayness" of our lives too. I think it is safe to say that our home is filled with love and good times. And that got me thinking....Will you remember your first home? Do I have pictures that appropriately document this precious space of ours? Will you have a visual of the rooms that were filled with so much laughter and love? Thus, the inspiration for this series of "Tour of your first Home." And because it is easier to do it all at once, I thought it would also be fun to also include a post of our dinner each night along with some of my cooking tips for you to have. Maybe, just maybe is 20 years you will look at this and reflect back to who we were in July 2010. Because, darlings this is our real life.....

A little back story. We bought this house, our first home almost 10 years ago. Our move from Houston to here happened really fast. I think I looked at 3 houses and just felt right about this one. Daddy only looked at this one. And the deal was done just as quickly. At the time, it was huge to us after living in an apartment for so long. We had big dreams about all the home projects we would do and yard work too. Truthfully, we have done almost all of those early dreams to this house. We made it our home. It is not the biggest, or nicest, or most expensive house by no means but it is ours. Each room has been made into space that makes us smile. We thought we would be here,4 maybe 5 years max but 10 years later we are still here. We have outgrown this house in so many ways but something holds us here. The truth of the matter is that we have made it into a space that we feel comfortable and love. One day we will probably move on but it will be so bittersweet. I attach myself to things and how can I ever leave the home that I brought my two babies home to?

Up first, the kitchen. Ironically it is probably the most used room in the house but also the most under loved. However, it was the first room I painted 10 years ago and the same paint is still up on the walls. It remains our least favorite room and was the only hesitation we had in buying this house. It looks a little better today but the pink counter tops still remain. We always said, "Since we are going to only be here a few years let's not put any money into the kitchen." And, we didn't until the last couple of months (mostly from necessity.)

Daddy and ampa put all the flooring in and I still love it after all these years. I decided to take it into the kitchen even though I was not thrilled with the brown cabinets against a brown floor. Ideally, the cabinets would be white and the counter tops granite. That fancy stove/microwave and dishwasher have not always been the case. In fact, the dishwasher arrived a couple of months ago after the other one stopped working and we just got the stove and microwave last week. You have no idea how a little appliance update helped! We should have done it years and years ago and had we projected how long we would live here, we would have.

Here in lies my current problem. See that large white fridge. Yep, that does not belong here anymore. I want a new one. Daddy says soon as I make room in the garage for this one he will get me a new one. Have you seen our garage?!?

Not another dish will fit in the cabinets or on the counter top but this kitchen has served me well. I have made so many meals for us, family and friends in here. Every evening about 5, the ipod clicks on, the stove heats up, Camy sits in her highchair and doodle either assists me or does homework at the table. We have laughed and cried in this kitchen....

Monday's Menu

2010-07-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

I love cooking. I love the process of creating a healthy and delicious meal. I hope that you both inherit my love for cooking. Hopefully, you will look back on this years down the road and pick up some ideas or maybe even be inspired. First things first....have a plan. I sit down every weekend and plan the menu for the week ahead. Everyone gets a chance to make a request (Camy your turn will come too). I have tons and tons of recipes that I like to go through too. I then make the grocery list. The fastest way to ruin a cooking mood is not to have everything you need on hand when you are ready to start dinner. We go as a family, usually on Sunday afternoons. Because daddy works for the grocery company, we hold nothing back at the ol' HEB. So, planning ahead accomplishes two things....1.) you are committed to cooking because you have stuff you need to use up before it goes bad (which is always a healthier choice than eating out) and 2.)you are set for the week and ready to go when dinner time comes around. No having to decide that day what to eat and then having to go to the store to buy everything and then come home and cook.

So Monday night's Menu:

Cucumber, Tomato and Red Onion Salad
Grilled Flank Steak
Baked Potato
Steamed Asparagus
Steamed corn

Some tips....Remember this order when it comes to choosing veggies: 1.) Fresh is always best! They are healthier and will always taste better They 2.) If you cannot get them fresh, frozen is your next best option 3.) Canned...avoid canned veggies if you can. They are left with little to no nutrients and they are usually lacking flavor and texture. I almost always start each of our meals with a salad. The more color and more vegetables you can incorporate into every meal, the better! Organic is always the way to go but I will save my tips on how to actually choose true organic foods and how to interpret those coded little stickers found on fresh fruits and vegetables.

Pretty Vegetables

Camy-at 8 months you are doing very well with your eating. You love, love, love to eat and prefer fresh fruits and veggies to anything that comes in a jar. I try to make all of your food that I possibly can. You love fresh avocados and this was part of what you had for dinner tonight. You are beginning to work on self-feeding and though it is a little messy you are doing marvelous! You finished your meal off with a fresh peach that I first poached and then mushed up fo ryou.

I have just recently became confident enough to grill by myself. I was sure that I was going to blow myself up the first few times doing it. Grilling has opened up so many more cooking choices for me!

The finished meal. Aesthetically, it would have looked nicer on serving plates, etc...But, where I fall short is having an actual set dinner every night. I start dinner at 5pm almost always. Dinner is served at 6pm. Doodle and I are usually the only two eating together. Camy eats her dinner while I am cooking and I then make a plate for the Mr. to eat when he gets home. He gets home much later than I would like to eat so we make it work. So, I have learned to serve everything directly to our plates rather than setting a serving table. It is not my preference. I wish all four of us sat at the table together every night but this only happens Friday-Sunday. The work week brings hectic schedules.

Girl's Weekend

2010-07-14T12:23:00.000-07:00

What a weekend! So much to say but the pictures do a good job of telling the story, I think. We have all been friends since college. TLU not only gave me a great education but also friends for a lifetime. I am so glad we made this happen and I am excited about the plan for next year.

Girl's Weekend in Fredericksburg from Dee Wallis on Vimeo.

Florida 2010

2010-07-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Appendectomy, Blood Disorder testing, oil spill, nor Hurricane Alex could keep us away. The trip had been planned since the first of the year. At one point, it seemed like so much was telling us not to go. We actually even called to cancel our reservations. With a great incentive to keep them and no other place sounding good to us, we thought "What the heck!" Everything about this trip was perfect. We truly had the best time. To be able to spend 6 nights and 7 days with our little family was incredible. Just the four of us. We loved it so much that we have already planned next year's trip and decided to stay twice as long. I HIGHLY recommend Sandestin to everyone! The place is perfect and so much fun!

The oil stayed away as did the rain from the storm. We played hard and had a big time! I am covered with bruises and my bones crack and pop when I wake up in the mornings. Too much boogie boarding and marco polo in the pool for this 34 year old body :) I don't regret it a bit.

The beach baby

2010-07-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

She was so patient with all my wardrobe changes and poses. She loved the sand. She loved to eat the sand. She played, napped at snuggled us at the beach.

Some of my favorites

2010-07-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

~LOVE~

2010-07-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

The Beach Family Picture

2010-07-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

I have been doing our family pictures for a long time. I know pretty much what I need to work my family. For the most part, they are very well-trained and know not to mess with mama's family pictures. The beach poses a set of new obstacles. Sand, challenging light, distractions,etc....My light-eyed husband will squint no matter what. Sissy will be so confused that there is no one standing behind the camera so she will not look at it, and doodle would much rather be in the water so he will be watching the waves. I snapped these in about 15 minutes. I know not to press my luck and had these two must have locations. There were others...oh heavens I could have done this all day long but it is what it is. At the end of the day, I have my memories. Though I could critique these pictures to a blank slate I do adore us at the beach and that it is captured....priceless.

And they called him the wave king

2010-07-05T13:17:00.000-07:00

Of the 741 pictures just about every one of doodle is of him and the waves. Thank goodness we made the stop at Publix and bought this $13 boogie board. This little guy would ride the waves for 12 hours straight each and every day. The tropical storm out in the gulf provided the perect waves for this thrill seeker! The goggles crack me up but he learned soon that the only thing that could stop him from the water was salt water in the eyes!

The Great Road Trip of 2010

2010-07-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

I am pretty sure a few people thought we were crazy to attempt a long road trip. Two days on the road with a 6 year old and an 8 month? Absolutely! So many reasons that I preferred to drive this trip. It proved to be the exact right choice for our trip. We truly had the best time! "Soul Sister" became the theme song for the trip and we took in every sight that IH 10 had to offer. The kiddos were phenomenal travelers. We spent the first night in Louisiana. We toured through New Orleans and was saddened by the devastation that is still the city. New Orleans was one of our favorite pre-kids city. Our quaint hotel in the French Quarter was gone and the effects of Katrina are still all around. Sad...

We rolled through Mississippi, Alabama and Florida the next day arriving at Destin just after noon. I love Alabama! I have such an attraction to the deep south. I really enjoyed driving through! We arrived at our beach house to find a place we would have all been fine with making our permanent housing. It was lovely in every.single.way.

A glimpse at 8 months

2010-06-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

She is so many things. At 8 months old she is.....
~beautiful.
~sweet, she is a really sweet baby girl.
~crawling all over the place.
~a big eater, preferring sweet potatoes and corn casserole.
~the proud mouth of 5 teeth.
~a happy, clapping baby. She loves to clap for herself and everyone else.
~saying mama and dada. She knows who to call and when, depending upon what she wants.
~still going through testing to figure out exactly what type of bleeding disorder she may have.
~a little fish. She loves swimming in her baby tube.
~the best laughter! You must hear that precious little giggle.
~funny. She has a keen sense of humor.
~the master of peek-a-boo. Loves the game!
~a cruiser in her pink convertible.
~a 2x a day napper.
~not a super great sleeper. Still wakes up a couple times at night just to make sure we are still there :)
~a huge fan of her brother.
~the perfect fit for our family and is loved beyond measure.

Camdyn at 8 months

2010-06-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

Sissy belle & Doodle Bug

2010-06-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

He was going to be my "assistant." That lasted about 5 minutes before he decided to go put on a "fancy" shirt and get in some pictures too. And it was as it should be...both of my babies in the pictures.

~Antique Chest and baby love~

2010-06-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

You've got some 'splanin to do.... :)

2010-06-18T08:43:00.000-07:00

I truly have not thought about my blogging or lack there of....but after the 5th person contacted me this week asking about why I was not blogging, I made a little time this morning. No real reason, in fact, until it was pointed out to me I had not realized so much time had passed. The truth is that we are soaking up every second of summer 2010 and I just have not wanted to sit down at the computer. When I am working, I am forced to be on the computer and I have a little more "desk" time. These days...the pool, outside, and different activities call our name. I went back to scrap booking so anytime I would have spent on blogging is now devoted to Camy's series of scrapbooks. Maybe I will go back to blogging at some point? For now, enjoy this week's images of doodle bug and sissy belle. I cannot even begin to express how much light these two littles put into our lives!

He operates in 5th gear all.day.long. He is a hard living little boy who truly gets the most out of each of his days.

Together they are peanut butter and jelly! They just belong together. He would let her do anything she wanted, she is his biggest fan. 5.5 years apart is working out just fine for this protective big brother and adoring baby sister.

See that finger in her mouth? She is doing some hard core teething. She has had two bottom teeth since 4 months, at 7 months she is working on 3 or 4 more. I wish those little pearls would go ahead and come in so mama and daddy can get some sleep!

Just what every little girl needs....a pink convertible! Is this not the most adorable walker that mimi bought her. She loves being mobile and scooting all over the house!

Easter 2010

2010-05-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

Camy Easter Egg hunting at Laura's Annual Hunt

Us after church on Easter morning

Caden's Easter Eggs

Sissy in her Easter Bonnet.

Looking back at my folders....did I really not post Easter Pics yet? Better late (and chronologically out-of-order) than never.