Excuses, Excuses

I know it's been so long since I blogged.  I have no good excuses, except that I HAVE FINISHED MY MASTER'S DEGREE!  I started in June 2011 and finished on July 31, 2012.  I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty proud of myself:)  I worked hard at it because I knew that if I didn't take a full load, I might put it off and get totally burned out.  I'm glad to be done.  I don't have plans to use it right now, but you never know what the future may hold. 

In other news, a couple of friends and I went to Las Vegas for a girl's trip in July.  It was so super fun.  I enjoyed getting away for a couple of days and hanging out by the pool and doing a little shopping and sightseeing.  I gambled a little, but it tears me up to lose money, so I'd prefer to spend it on something material instead.  Ha! 

For one vacation, we went to Arlington to watch my fabulous nephew be sworn into the Air Force at the Texas Ranger's Game.  It was amazing, and sad, and wonderful all at once.  I'm so very proud of him and it didn't hurt that we got to watch the Rangers win!  I REALLY wanted to catch a glimpse of George Bush and Nolan Ryan, but it wasn't to be... :( 

Besides getting to go to the game, we went to Grapevine Mills and visited the aquarium.  It was very cool and the kids were able to get up close to the fish.  We all enjoyed it. 

THEN, on our big family vacay, we went to Concan on the Frio for five days.  It was amazing.  We stayed in a great house that had a bathroom in every room :) and a pool.  I'd say we easily spent five or six hours everyday in the pool.  I loved it and I think we've pretty much decided that we'll be doing it every year.  We may select a different location, but we'll stick with the rental house idea.  I miss it...

That's all I have for now.  I'll try to be better.  Maybe...

I Wonder

Do you ever wonder what other people say about you?  Not speaking ill of you, just describing you.  I was describing one of my dear friends to my sister.  They've met, but are merely acquaintances.  I used words like: funny, always, never, and you'd really like her.  It got me wondering how I'd be described- not remembered, just introduced.  Using words like 'always' and 'never' really don't describe anyone (besides Jesus) because none of us are ever always something.  (I have a point, I'm just not sure what it is.)*  I suppose I wonder what my husband might say about me to others.  Am I always loud or very outspoken?  Am I generous or sometimes selfish?  Do I keep house well or leave things lying around?  Am I spontaneous or a planner?  Would he consider me creative or just beige?  Am I an involved mother or do I stand on the sidelines?  Am I kind and compassionate or do I lack mercy?  Do I forgive easily or turn the other cheek?  Am I quick to anger or patient?  Do I make sound decisions or act on impulse?  I can answer all of these questions for myself, but I'm curious what others may say.  I catch myself telling my own children and students that they shouldn't worry what others think.  That suggestion is ridiculous.  It is quite easy to pretend that we don't care, but ask yourself why you don't pick your nose in public.  ( Don't say it's because it's gross, because it really isn't.  I mean they are YOUR boogers... They're probably cleaner than your feet...)  That's enough of that.

Last weekend was Mother's Day.  It was a nice weekend.  My hubby was out of town, so the kiddos and I spent Saturday and Sunday with my mom.  We had Jambalaya and ice cream.  The grandkids and my sister and I gave mom a hand print frame thing.  I think she really liked it.  I'm thinking of doing one for myself.  I love how it turned out.  The kids had a great time playing together.  We need to do it more often.  Now that it's almost summer, hopefully more of my pictures will include my niece and nephew:)

Not that I'm Counting...

but there are only 27 school days left until summer break.  I CANNOT WAIT.  This has been a long, hard school year.  I'm tired, the kids tired, my kids are tired, my hubby is tired, the dog is tired (not really- just got on a roll).  The only concrete plans we have are going to Concan for a few days and eating.  Mainly eating.  And sleeping- lots of sleeping.  Come on summer- we've been waiting on you.

Sin City

Over Spring Break, the hubby, some good friends, and I took a mini vacay to Vegas.  It was fantastic.  I'd never been before, but TP has gone about 30 times, so I had a good tour guide, only he didn't guide.  I thought I'd want to hang out with him and see what he saw and watch him play poker, etc.  However, the oxygen being pumped into my lungs in the casino must have gotten to my head because I grabbed Maranda and we walked up and down the strip for about four hours.  It was fantastic!  It was so cool to see it in a 'girl' way.  We took a few pictures, looked at the things we were interested in, and gambled in every casino we went it- just so we could say we did.  The second day we were there, we walked further down and took the men.  We also took a taxi to the 'old' part of town, Fremont Street.  They had a light show that was amazing.  It's on a dome covering the streets and I've never seen anything like it.  I cannot wait to go back.

In Pictures

On the weekend before Valentine's Day, my sweet niece and nephew came and spent the night.  We had a great time.  We ate chocolate candy for breakfast-

Then, they came last weekend.  We had just as much fun.  This time we didn't have chocolate, but we played in the clean laundry.  We played "Mean Socks." It turns out that when you have socks on your hands they take over and attack other people and tickle them until they hurt.

Wyatt thinks AA's panties are his necklace.

This weekend, we cooked out with mom and dad.  We played with the hula hoop on the patio.

Have you ever tried to take a picture of two boys?  It's practically impossible.  Here's what I got-

Then this appeared in front of my lens

Attention seeker deluxe.

Guess What's Going Around

Hand, Foot, and Mouth is going around Robert Lee.  All of my friend's kids have it/ have had it.  One just went through his second string of it.  I thought you were only able to get it once, but so much for that theory.  Hopefully my kids will steer clear of that.  They've both had it...

This week my sweet father-in-law has been home with Aidyn.  Our sitter is at the stock show, so he came to town to watch our sweeties.  They have really enjoyed their time with him and will be sad to see him go home tomorrow.  We've all loved having him.  Lane asked him if he'd like to come live with us.  PawPaw asked about what Grandma would think and Lane said "She doesn't care!" ha

Tonight is a boy date at the rodeo... TP, my F-I-L and my dad are going out there to see it go down and I'm staying home with the chillins.

This weekend I'm going to get to keep my sweet niece and nephew while their parents have some alone time.  I've missed them, so I'm super looking forward to it.

Right now I should be doing homework, but, well, I'm lazy.

The Big 'V'

Today is Valentine's Day.  It irritates me to no end when people (especially adults) call it Valentime's Day.  Really?  You haven't seen it on the calendar enough in the last 30 years to know that you're saying/ spelling it incorrectly?  Anyway, this morning I gave my children their Valentine candy and let them eat it for breakfast.  Then I sent them to be dealt with by others... Bet they're cussing me today:)  I got my husband a box of chocolates and am making him chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, black eyed peas, gravy and chocolate dipped strawberries for supper.  He got me............................wait for it......................................Nothing.  It doesn't fit and it's the same thing he got me last year.  Dang.