Wow time flies

Ok well I would have sworn I just updated this and low and behold it is like 3 weeks old....so again with the catch up.

We ran up to Dallas, the first weekend of October for the State Fair and the TX OU game. We had a great time. Got to spend a little time with Troy and Carolyn and sweet little Emory, and see Mama Sam, as well as some other great friends, so it was time well spent. The kids loved the fair and all things fried and the game was great as well. Would have been better had we won but none the less fantastic times. Carolyn made so awesome bbq that I have actually been craving ... it was yummy yummy

The boys football teams missed them that weekend and both teams lost, Reid's team had a total of 16 yds.... and Dales held them till half and then final score was 53-19...eeekks however we play them again and my boys are out for vindication. We had games this past weekend as well and both boys played great, Reid ran 2 of the 3 td's and was again a strong defensive player. Dale had to step up and play running back since our starter was out of town. He did a great job, he basically never left the field as he is normally on kick off and kick return and defense and that day offense ....so he was tired and kid took some searious licks he had one that he never saw coming and was hit did a helicopter in the air and had 2 guys land on him....and then he had a bunch or runs where I was so proud to see my little 63 pound guy drop a shoulder and plow through with his feet pumping against kids 30-40 lbs heavier and a head taller than him. He ended up straining his hammy the top of the 4th and played through it as much as he could and then his coaches pulled him out we won the game 26- 19 it was intense and a great game. I think he will be glad when Blake is back for next weeks game.

I have been volunteering at the school and gotta say that is the best way to get the kids ..... they send them up front so at 3:15 you walk out with them and hit the car....better than hanging in line for an hour wasting gas and time. I also am reading with Macy and Reids classes, and they need assistance so works out well on all sides. We got grades and Macy had all excellents, Reid had all A's and one 89 in composition .... and deserved bc he is a sloppy writer and Dale had all A's so they are doing well. Dale told me the one thing he missed most about San Antonio besides freinds was Mrs. Caruso his GT teacher ( she was really awesome) but then said but if we moved back I would miss my new friends and really Mrs. Saenz bc I like her alot. Dale has always been one to get attached to teachers not students.

Not too much other nonsence happening here... I want to decorate for Halloween but uuugg finding the stuff in the third bay is overwhelming and might not happen which makes me kinda sad but it is allready the 11th so thats alot of work for 20 days . Side note my dog is asleep on my leg as I type this and hes having vivid dreams hes chewing and pawing at the air.... kinda funny. He has become my running buddy and does great unless there is another dog he sees b/c then I no longer exist and he wants to PLAY... but usually we see none however today saw 2 and a horse. Kinda nice running around here I stick to neighborhood streets but since this area is so ecectic I have numerous streets with normal lots and houses and then also numerous mini farms lots with animals and tractors ....keeps it interesting.

Dale and Reid TD's

REID



DALE

Weekend with the Rents...

So to continue I get the kids on Friday...head home to meet the granparents and am told Macy got a bad mark in her folder for punching a kid in the stomach b/c he would not stop singing...NICE ...I scold and know I will not be really able to punish her effectively with my folks here so I did take away a few privlidges and I hope it is enough to deter her next time.

We loved having my folks here....been way too long. We swam and swam and hung out and ate some great food. Saturday we went to the boys games. Reids team won, he was the QB for the most part, but also ran one of the 3 touchdowns. Dales team did not do quite as great and lost but he played great....which considering how crazy hot it was on the turf and how long they had to wait to play I think they did great.

We hit La Pulga and had some yummy tacos and fried spiral potatoes and bought a few movies and gave my folks a tour of Dukes model homes....and then swam some more and sadly they had to head back home....but hopefully next time it will be for longer. Love you tons Grandma and Bepaw!

FUN FUN FUN

Ok as I sit here and wait for my kids to get out of school I realize I have time so I will blog a bit....yes I am one of those Crazys who waits 45 mins in the pick up line. However, I am not at the top of that crazy lady list bc there are 30 cars infront of me I use this time to read sing blog and sometimes doze. Today, I blog of the frog frenzy.

My folks are coming for the weekend which means some to do items that were ignored and moved to the back side of page two on the to do list came back to the front top. I got rugs for the kids bath, covers for the work room doors, moved some still unpacked and not gonna be unpacked in this house boxes around and then decided to fix the Patio furniture that we had tied down for hermie. That I say her-me not Heir-may... back to story so outside I set up one umbrella go for the second and pick it up and hear a splat look down and a huge frog that had taken up shelter in said umbrella has landed by my feet. I scream javelin throw he umbrella, jump, grab a bucket Tupperware tub that is out side for just this purpose and try to breathe. Like I said this is common for us here, the largest talley has bee 3 frogs and a possum in one night, but they freak me out. They are not cute frogs these are bumpy ugly big poisonous variety of frog. Frog contained and i intended to keep it there until Duke comes home and so I keep cleaning watering plants getting out rafts and notice the bucket is hopping so I go over and intend to place my toe to weigh the bucket down and grab a citronella candle to put on top well the frog bucket is apparently sun worn and brittle bc my toe punctures the top of the bucket. I feel frog at my toes, I freak out imagining a frog about to eat me, scream again jump again catch my sanity for a second and realize the bottom well top is cracked but still holding, I put the candle on it and decide to be done with outside stuff and retreat inside for a sanity coke and I TURN only to have a Huge butterfly coming right at me and I scream again and make it inside to the AC a Coke and a quiet 45 min recharge I went to grab the mail and opened the lid real slow bc I was sure a snake was gonna be in there next.


The dog scarede half to death the other afternoon he got into a bottle of motrin so I had to give him hydrogen peroxide to make him vomit never saw pills bit he sure was sleepy. So I have invested in some boredom buster toys to appease him while we are gone bc he will eat anything it is possible he might have eaten Jimmy Hoffa I hope the new toys help.

Kids are doing good they are really excited to see the grandparents this weekend and take them to la pulga.

Sold

Hip Hip Horray our home in San Antonio is sold.... and I am kinda surprised at how excited I am about it....I suppose being in a different city and paying double mortgages helps but I thought I would be much more attached to that house simply because that is where 2 of my babies were born, and massive amounts of memories made. I am sad that we had to leave people we loved and enjoyed but I guess the financial responsibility in this bad housing market did have me concerned more that I wanted to admit. We have not made any plans to build yet and will be excited once we feel comfortable enough to do that... since I think both Duke and I are hesitant to decorate this house and hang pictures b/c they will all have to come down in a 9 mos.

The boys had their kick off weekend of football and both did great.... Dale is doing wonderful on defense and is playing safety and his defensive coach does not want him tired and will not allow him to play offense and risk him. Reid however is playing both ways as corner on defense and running back and quarter back on offense, both have made friends on their teams and are enjoying. They get uniforms tonight and both picked #8.... and will be pumped to have them.

This past Sunday we put 2 options up for a vote... beach or blowup slide... the kids chose beach so we went to the island. The kids had the bast time, Dale initially said he did not want to swim in water where Sharks are but once he hit the water did not come out until forced. Reid and Macy also loved it next time we will have to take some shovels and buckets the Whataburger cups did a substandard job in scooping and building castles. We did take the boogie boards and masks. I have a feeling that the beach will be requested again and will be a regular stop. We got home late and I made dinner and the kids jumped in the pool and swam....needless to say bedtime was fast and quiet.

My dog is now a water dog...he has realized the pool is fun and cool and now a wet dog in the house is a common occurrence as well as a running tally of what he chews up. Actually I have to admit he is doing better and we have realized how to dog proof...but he knows he is a tall dog on his hind legs and can get to and into lots of stuff and when unsupervised messes up but either we are getting better or he is or both b/c I come home to no mess more than anything else more than before. And dang it if I do not love that dog.

My arm is much better and I am out of my sling, and actually did some easy arm weights today so I hope I am on the road to recovery....

I loaned the camera to Duke to use and he lost it so I am in the market for a new one so hopefully soon I will have photos here again.

Update to the Update

Dales records made it to school and he was transfered to the GT class and had a practices test on his spelling in there that the other kids had a week to study for and he did not....he got a b but the words were crazy .....belligerent, cantankerous, luminous, absurd, dividend..... his other words from his other class were no longer than 5 letters and super easy but he is excited they are challanging lets hope he continues to feel that way.

I ended up tearing ligamants in my arm ..... getting out of bed of all things ....I think my muscles were just sooo sore and worn out that when I went to get up and applied pressure after all night of rest some gave way. So I have been in a sling for the last 3 days but think it is helping because I can use the arm but am trying not too to not mess up what is healing. I start again on Monday with training on legs only for a while.

We have our first football games this week so hopefully I can snag some pics to post.

Valley Update

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Ok so school has begun and the kids seem to be doing well. Macy does not like getting up in the morning huge surprise while reid is raring to go.....we hwve to leave much earlier than we are used to ....the lines to drop of start early here. So out the door at 710 and on that note i have to be in line to get the kids like a hour before school is out if i want to be anywhere near close to the front example today i am here at 2:15 and there are 30 cars infront of me. Yikes so i guess. I have time to blog a bit. Dales records for gt have not made it to the new school so he is in a regular classroom and i am doing my best to get the records here i have copies to give them so hopeful that will fix the snafu...not a huge deal but the longer it goes the harder it will be to change things and he needs the challenge. Reid confessed that the fell asleep I class yesterday bc he was so tired i hope we adjust soon. also we get free breakfast and lunch at school
daily wow that is huge in my case that i would be paying for 3 each day but reid is a little bummed he only can have one milk and he wants 2 so i have to send money for that. Other weird thing is recess is walking the track....no running as someone might get hurt...when the heck did recess become structured i thought that was one of the few places for kids to let go and play. Hopefully that will change or i will figure out why it is that way.

I have started with a trainer and he is sufficiently kicking my tail my arms are so sore it is hard to imagine I have to take my face to my hands to wash it....no joke holding the phone to my ear hurts....today we did legs so i am certain that tomorrow i will be unable to walk but has another session to do arms again I hope to heck in a week or so I will feel more comfortable.

We went to our 2nd roadrunner game and Jose conseco was there now playing for a minor league Laredo team...thats what cheating gets you ....anyhow Dale and Reid ended up with 3 foul balls and one was the only one he hit all night....we tried to get it signed after the game but he was too big shot to sign anything....whatever mine were just happy running after the balls.

Duke is doing well and I gotta ice a shout out and reflect how blessed I am to have a good wholesome honest hardworking husband. He is amazing to me and the kids and i am so lucky. I also need to note that as said as I was to leave san Antonio i love how close my kids have become dale and reid arebest friends and they hang out and laugh more than i can recall, we do so much more as a family and just enjoy each other more i think....so if nothing else that is good. I also have been given several compliments on the kids being well behaved and curtious to others. I snapped a picture the other night when they all wanted to sleep on our floor all three of them snuggled together yea i know those days are numbered but amazing none the less.

Football is going well too it is just hot hot hot and those boys in pads and helmet are melting...wish there was a way to keep them cool. Macy is also doing great in tumbling and she loves it and wants to go which is huge and she has just about mastered cartwheel and a handstand.....way to go little monkey.

My puppy is doing good as well although he is a chewer big time I have toys and bones all over the place and he still finds a random box, sunglasses, trash, goggles on occasion....but dang it if i do not love that dog like crazy he has a go button that when you set it of he takes off and just bolts all over for like 5 mins .....cracks me up...he is awesome at fetch and loves loves it. We took he and Sami to a dog park that was empty....one other dog did show up for like 5 mins and bevo liked that but she was old and not really playful, maybe next time.

Macy has told me on many occasions her stummy hurts that's stomach and tummy combo and i must agree that currently my steamy is sore now too...ok well the line is finally moving so here's to another day under the belt and off to a rapid afternoon of homework gymnastics and football and then home to collapse to do it all again tomorrow

So we have been here a little over a month. I have the boys registered in Pop Warner Football, with the Mission Vipers....first Rattlers now Vipers you would think I like snakes and if so you would be very wrong. We have started practices and Dale is playing up on a competitive team, since he is one of the fastest of all the boys, and has experience. Reid is running back and QB ,one of the fastest if not the fastest on his team. I was asked to be the team mom...and agreed and it is actually a big job, before anyone talks to a coach they have to talk to the team mom, any weight issues...team mom, snacks, team mom, practice water, team mom, roll, team mom, dicipline of team kids...team mom...so big job apparently, but I have met several moms and at least have someone to talk to durring practices. Funny Dale asked after practice "dad what does whetto mean? Dale it means white guy. "oh thats why coach was callin me that, and Blake said thats us dude come on." There are a total of 3 white kids on the team... Reid, Dale and another kid on Dales team. Macy also is involved in gymnastics 2 times a week and so far is loving it....only bad part is that her gymnastics is the same nights as football so we leave the house at 4:40 and do not return until 8:15...which now is not too bad but once school starts could be tough since the kids do not get out until 3:15 and that leaves little time for homework and downtime.

Bevo is loosing teeth left and right and the kids found one and wanted to put it under his pillow to see if the tooth fairy does animals....she was tired and forgot but Bevo did not seem to care at all.

Kiddos are all registered for school and we meet teachers next week....hard to believe it is that time again. Macy is reaping benefits since they do not want sleve-less or tanks and most of her dresses are sleveless so I have bought lost of new clothes for her and shoes since all hers were sandals with open toes which are a no no and I agree with all the ants around here....so biggest issue is NOT wearing it now...waiting is hard!

The house is a home and all rooms are unpacked but one....work room but it has all the garage sale stuff in it so that should go away soon. My pool is looking good as well, we bought some palms and other plants that look pretty and my gardinas are blooming and smell amazing....so for the most part life is good here.

I do have to admit that I am a failure at sushi making...the kids are sushi hounds and that stuff is expensive so we decided to try it at home and not so much...kids said there was no flavor and have to agree the sticky rice was bland so if anyone has tips I am open.

This is sorta a rambly post as I have typed it I have "called" several wii fights, and pc fights....ahhh thats the only bad deal about living on the sun... its hot out and hard to stay out for any length of time and since they have 2 hours tonight I feel bad tossing them out now and wearing them out.... other side note...this move has made Dale and Reid so close...best buds most of the time.... which kinda warms my heart....

Move to the SUN

So the end of June we were packing up and 3 weeks later I am still surrounded by boxes....I am pretty close to a home setting, all the bedrooms are bedrooms, and the kitchen is a kitchen, as well as a family room but that about covers it.... there are very few things on the walls and mr flu-fallo is living on the entry table but we are getting there. The garage is another story it is packed full and I mean FULL of stuff so there will be a garage sale soon and hopefully lots of it goes away. Huge plus is the pool .... it is a true blessing and has created lots of family time in the evenings together....another huge plus. Everyone I have met is very nice which is not too far from what you would expect but sadly people surprise you daily. The kids made out pretty well the TV in the play room did not fit the cabinet we put in there so they got a new one and their computer was trash so they got a new one of those too....so they are very happy and very connected. I got my new iphone that I do love but got by default when Duke broke his blackberry on day 2 here and took mine and swapped sim cards so for 2 weeks I was back in the 90's with no phone.

I signed the kiddos up for football and kinda funny the head coach was having a hard time committing their names to memory and admitted that he did not have too many Dale's or Reid's and may have to change their names.... but I am excited to meet folks in the immediate area. Learned that their school is amazing and competitive and the bast one in the district, found a hook up for a good doctor for the kids and Duke and I....which is not much but at the same time good info. I think I am doing a good job at boosting the local economy in purchases to local stores since this house is lacking in storage space I am making good use of what I got. The dogs now have a dog door so YEA for not letting them out 50 times a day just to be safe...but will have to at night...we lock up like fort knox then.... and i assume so do the neighbors EVERYONE has multiple flood lights on their property.... but it is nice to go out at 3 am and have light. My fur kids are doing great, Sami loves us home all day and Bevo well he is just happy anywhere the is something to chew....his favorites are water bottles, which are ok, tp which is NOT and goggles.... which is totally avoidable.

We already took a weekend trip to hang with college friends and it was amazing and low key and perfect.... the kids and dogs went to kerrville and had a good time as well. Reid lost his other front tooth... so now he really has a hard time eating tough stuff he is like an old man w/o dentures in...hehehe....

so cheers and jeers of today.....cheer : a surprisingly relaxing swim with 3 kids jumping around and over me.... jeer: no sunscreen in said afternoon swim and I am a little lobster-esque....

jeer: i was really frustrated with my hair and let duke cut it....well actually buzz the bottom side of my neck and he did ok so cheer: .... less hair for me and it is not too crazy looking.... I will do a pic soon....ok I have 2 of 3 kids asleep on the couches around me so time for bed pn el sol I am trying to learn spanish too.

Productivity and lots of mouth happenings

The last couple weeks have been super busy and productive here in the Daniel House. I have accepted the fact that I am moving, and am now packing.

I HATE packing, but have managed to box up a huge amount on non essentials and now have to side step boxes in every room so I guess that is progress although a tripping hazard and sorta makes a middle of the night trip anywhere in the house dangerous I suppose a good step. I finally picked a moving company and wow those guys are tenacious in trying to get your business. Went with Allied, a national mover with big trucks, and they are gonna pack some too....which I am really grateful for, since 2 days ago while I WAS packing Reid and Dale were occupying themselves wrestling and Reid bit thru his tongue....MOUTH 1:so I had a minor detour from packing to the urgent care....all is fine, tongue is fine, no stitches since it is in the middle and 2 days later you would not know it even happened....however point to story is kids with one occupied parent is not the best idea. So yea for packers....

... phone rings it is the kids dentist...a cancellation happened with their IV sedation appointments which is where we are at to have dental work for Macy since we have tried numerous times over the past year and she cannot cooperate and keep her tongue out of the way and not bite them...so we have to fully sedate her.....of course the most expensive option but a dentist I know and trust and I have seen firsthand the numerous failures....so I take the appointment and have to schedule a medial clearance from the pediatrician....ok they got me in the same day....all is working out well and now my Friday morning is booked at the dentist for her....MOUTH 2....and have to have Dale with me to watch her on the way home since they want 2 adults but my 7 and 9 yr olds will have to do as an adult.

...Mouth 3:.... Dale lost his retainer AGAIN....recap he lost it 2 times on day one..once in the yard playing catch, then at preschool graduation in a napkin, then Friday at the movies he left it on the seat. I call and low in behold they found it, we hop in the car go get the retainer and I am telling him over and over how lucky he is....fully aware it is not sinking in. Saturday we drive to Austin and back and as Duke and I are cleaning out the truck we find the retainer AGAIN. So we decide to hold on to it.....7 hours and 2 meals later he remembers....we let him fret and then give it back with a punishment. Monday we visit the urgent care, come home they eat lunch, and again 8 hours later he realizes he does not have it.....I have 3 large bags of trash that I have accumulated over the day of packing, and a car FULL of goodwill and he thinks it is in the trash, then the car. I bring in the trash from the curb that was to go out Tuesday morning and we dig....and dig....search the house.....I yell....we dig...we search....we take a break I open the fridge and FIND the retainer next to his tray of sushi! AHHHH found and hopefully a lesson learned as I was going to sell the ps3 to help pay for a new retainer.

CLOUD MOUTH: Final bit of fun is we had a HUGE crazy storm last Wednesday night....and we lost shingles off the roof....not a ton but enough to see a large section on felt paper, we see it on Saturday....so Duke from Mcallen called a roofer Monday who was to come on Tuesday and guess when it starts to rain....Tuesday, and is still raining today....nice so I am up in the attic numerous times a day looking for dripping water and if I had a way to get on the roof to put down a tarp you know I would but even our extension ladder is not tall enough....and a wet roof is not the place I wanna be in rain. So here's praying the felt paper holds water tight for a bit longer!

ROARING MOUTHS: Final bit of news is we have passed on the heritage of the Lions to the Corner Shoppe in Austin, TX. It is this cool eccentric hole in the wall place in Austin we love with everything bizarre and taxidermy....defiantly keeping Austin weird. We stop in a couple of Saturdays ago on our trip back from visiting Troy, Carolyn , Emory, and Sam and I randomly ask "Do you ever buy other people stuff?" "All the time!" was the response and we took a card and a few pics later had a come see from the owner. SO a couple of LONG hot afternoons of digging, looking, loading, unloading, unpacking, repacking.....he ended up taking the majority of the lion stuff and we kept the sentimental things Duke wanted and what ever we liked and also got in trade a Shoulder mount longhorn, raccoon eating cracker jacks, and an antelope of some kind....so all in all fantastic that others will be allowed to purchase and enjoy the items and we got something we wanted too.

......So I got that going for me which is nice!..........

what....What.....WHAT!!

This was my response when Duke calls to say "you wanna move to Mcallen?" He was sought out by a company to take over running the Mcallen division. SO in very fast motions we got my parents to watch the kids and made plans to drive to Mcallen and look around. I had visions of barren desert and illegals running around. To my surprise it was not like that at all....it was actually very much like the area I currently live in so quite livable. Also, our lifestyle is pretty re-creatable.... kids sports, work, movies, and dinner out....big change is leaving all the friends and comfort zone of what I have known for the last 9 years. So it is with a heavy heart we are moving.

We got the house appraised and its value was good so the plan is to move us out, re-paint, clean, repair and list for a under appraisal and hope for quick movement. I would rather have a little less profit and peace of mind that it is no longer a headache than more later.... bird in hand worth 2 in nest thing I guess.

So the kids have to leave their teams, I have to leave the cheer director job as well as the day care that has become somewhat of extended family. This will all be sad but hopefully the right move. At church the Sunday after we visited Mcallen the pastor said " If you change nothing in 5 years you will be in the same place" which spoke volumes and although out of context spoke to both Duke and I. You can never hit a home run if you are not swinging.

We are going through the house and cleaning out unused items and hauling them to goodwill and the dumpster and if NOTHING else will be some amazing spring cleaning. Also we are going through the lion stuff we have inherited and Duke is very sentimental and I am not....so that will be interesting to say the least but he had forgotten the massive amount of stuff packed away in boxes and just HOW MUCH there is.

In more normal news Dale got a retainer and lost it 2 times the first day, once in the yard and again at Macys preschool graduation when he wrapped it in a napkin and set it down....Reid picked it up (love that kid) and I instructed Dale it is better to leave it on a table 100% exposed with the gross factor rather than wrap it up b/c no one will toss/ touch a retainer but tons of people will toss a wadded up napkin. Then last Thursday he chewed a prong off and after today's unnecessary visit to get a new mold is wearing the prong less retainer since there was no structural damage. And yes I know he WILL loose the retainer at some point and even though I know that I will still want to strangle him when it happens.

We also met up with my folks and brother for Mothers Day and here is my sweet nephew and my kids. He is so funny he was all about boats and bepaw and macy and dale that day.

We visited the Alamo after 9 years of living in San Antonio we figured we should see it before we move so we took an afternoon and discovered down town SA....and my kids loved it as we usually do not venture there.

I have a picture in this same log as a kid

Macy graduated Pre-school and is all ready for Kinder...her ceremony was funny and with all the important expected elements including pomp and circumstance, she wants to be a singer and a fashion designer, and a mom. We celebrated with cupcakes and punch and the easter bunnies favorite restaurant ....ihop.

We finished up our football season and not to brag but the boys did awesome....and have turned into some great players...I truly love to watch them play ball it makes me shine inside. I lost count of the touchdowns run and the stellar tackles made. Macy cheered a little but really just wanted to do stunts...and now wants to do gymnastics just like mom. She is all healed from the tonsils and was given a clean bill of health so 100 % activity it ok again.

The end of school is in sight and Dale still has straight A's and did amazing on the TAKS test he was commended on both tests and on math missed none! He obviously has Dukes brain and my athletic skill! Reid is finishing 1st grade and is reading better every day ... pretty soon we will be prep-ing for college!

My puppy Bevo is amazing and super smart and although needed to be told who was the Alpha (me) he is so eager to please me ...potties on command, keeps crate dry all night....and so stinking cute. But he is at pup training for another 7 days to get super smart. Hopefully the kids will be able to interact with him easier....since he sees them as rough playmates and they have not given him any reason to NOT too. Also we will rent for a year in Mcallen and a well trained dog is easier to sell to landlords, however my peace of mind that a 500 dollar deposit is all I am out IF he did destroy something is pretty nice but obviously not my goal...since it is my stuff in the house as well. It is funny that I was the one who was hesitant to get another dog as Annie was amazing and irreplaceable but I have fallen in love with this dog and he is all mine.

So Duke leaves this Thursday and then down again Sunday for the week from then until we move....take about HUGE change about to happen and when I should be doing something I sit here an type. It is easier than tackling a task and actually we were pretty productive this weekend....although no laundry was washed and no groceries purchased but we have dinner plans tonight and clothes for tomorrow so those sound like issues for another day right! I Agree!

However I am at the end of my thoughts so I will sign off but I am so Proud of Duke that in a still faltering economy he has proven to be a commodity in his industry. He truly is an amazing father, husband, and provider....wow that was all sweet and heart felt and it is not even fathers day! see ya....until the packing drives me nuts

May Madness

So the monkey went in to have her tonsils and adnoids out this past Tuesday. She had no idea what she was in for and when she woke up irate and in pain she screamed "I want my tonsils back in! It hurts!" They gave her 2 shots of morphine and she fell asleep and woke up a little better. She has been a trooper and really wants to eat and tries a little but it hurts, she is drinking, that is all I am really concerned with. This afternoon was a little tough when the boys went to swim at a neighbors and she could not go so I gave her some ice cream to try and buy her off and she said I am gonna go look at a flower in the yard.... and went to the neighbors house and got the boys and said they needed to come home to eat ice cream....so they came and I said that I had not requested them and they could go back...so they did and then she said I just wanted to share my ice cream....nice try at a cover but I'm not buying it. But she did not cross the street so no major rules were broken. She has been pretty good on the pain factor...she hurts and is now not on as much and is CRANKY so we may need to bump it back up and that is her normal reaction when she feels dumpy.

Football has been going great for the boys. Both are in great physical shape and able to play 80% + of the games and are not winded at the end...amazing to me. Reid has had numerous LONG runs for TD, and both are tackling like champs. I hope this is a pre-cursor to an awesome fall. I plan on charging my camera so I can take some photos this weekend to share. This is one of Reids td's.

Mothers day is this weekend and I am sure I will get a few handmade momentos that I will cherish, however I want my second dryer hooked up. I have 2 washers and kinda 3 dryers one unit is a washer and dryer but the dryer cycle on it is like 3 hours so not real efficient, but it is ventless so an option. My real 2nd dryer needs a vent and more voltage or something so heres hoping I get that too!!! I m also hoping for a pandora bead....we will see.

In the next few weeks we will wind down school and Macy will graduate pre-school... so let the pomp and circumstance commence...hard to believe that chapter of our life is closing....thats huge.

Well I found this Mothers Day Poem that I liked so I will share it:

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,

the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE MOMS OUT THERE

At a loss

Lately here we have been loosing alot of things..... Dale lost 2 teeth last Thursday with the dentists help, has recovered well, and is no worse for the wear. Reid lost 4 today again with help and is really sore as one was really in there and some gum tissue was torn up getting at it. But I am sure, he too will recover and be no worse for the wear. Macy next week, will loose her tonsils, with help, and hopefully this will end the never ending streak of strep she keeps getting.

Last weekend however we did not LOOSE but won.... Reid scored 2 touchdowns in his first ever tackle football game, and had some really good tackles too, Dale also had some awesome tackles, recovered an onside kick, and even went in as a receiver.....it was a great day of football, a long day but great none the less.

Macy has left me for a loss more than once this week. I am not sure if she is feeling out boundaries or quite what is up but she has been pushing the envelope with what is ok and what is not. She told a story at school and said as a punishment option I give them a choice of being pushed down the stairs. I can assure you this has NEVER happened, and would never happen. Thankfully I have a good reputation with her teacher, Macy has a history of embellishing and talking just to hear her voice and she knew this when it was said, she prodded for more info and Macy said she was just joking but this is NOT a joking matter as some kids are not treated right, something she is clueless about but hopefully her loss of play date, extra chores and some time in her room has cleared up my stance on that issue. She messed with a friends art project at school and messed it up which is disrespectful to that friend and was punished at school and I covered that at home too and she lost another privilege. However, today I was tending to Reid since he had 4 teeth out and full sedation and there were numerous directions to follow and we were all watching a movie....so was she..... and I even gave her a few cookies and ice cream to eat during it.....well later I walk into the kitchen and happen to notice my medicine out next to the open cookies ....and a bunch are punched out....5 out of 31 pills to be exact. I calmly say Macy did you punch these out? no answer.....Macy this is important do you know where they are now. Thats easy Momma...right here and leads me to the carpet and I find 4 of the 5 pills . I asked about the 5th....and she insists she did not take it....it is in the carpet too, sigh of relief. I sent her to her room and we had a LONG talk and she lost her chair to the trash, ( that honestly was on its way anyway) all play dates and computer until further notice, and she got spanked too. This whole messing with touching things that are not yours, telling stories that are untrue.....ends now, I am not at a loss about that! But I do have to admit that it scares me she did it, the pills were in the box, out of her reach, she is fully aware medicine is not a toy and only handled by mom or dad. She is very intelligent and knows right from wrong....but here lately I am not sure what is going on with her little mind. Here is saying a little prayer that Duke is fixed and so is a pregnancy from tampered birth control. geeeeez

Easter and Macys bday

Happy Easter...we had a wonderful Easter and our church did a helicopter egg drop of 20,000 eggs. It was really cool...here is a link to pics and a video. Egg drop video Egg Video The kids had a wonderful time too. And I was so impressed by Dale he went and shared some of his eggs with a few little kids who did not get too many themselves....made me smile.

We did a little egg hunt at the house and last monday I spent HOURS blowing all the leaves out of their play area out back and then ALL the pollen decided to fall so it is all green out there and was for the hunt .....yuck makes me wish I had a trees less yard this time of year.

Macy and her pink dress up hair that was in her Easter Basket

Pollen filled play area
Macys Easter Dress

We celebrated Macys 5th Bday at Sharkeys. Where she and her little friends had their hair done, makeup, dressed up, nails painted and played games. It was a great party and she LOVED it. She also loved her outfit so much that she wore it the next day to church too!

All in all a great couple of weeks... pretty quick and draining but good none the less.

a few pics

My soon to be 5 yr old.

Her special outfit

The fam on the mountian

all us on the lift

swimmin

Wow it has been so long since my last blog that football has actually started again! This time I have 2 tackle guys to watch and worry about. I also have a whole lot more on my plate as I accepted the Cheer Director position....which is not too bad for the spring but lots of planning now for the fall.

We just got back from a great ski trip to Breckenridge for Spring Break. Dale did blues, blue blacks and blacks, the terrian parks and half pipe. I can still out ski him and he had Duke and I on the terrian park as well and we did it and managed to stay intack and upright, so he is not out of ski school yet. That is the stipulation in our family....once you can out-ski mom and dad you do not have to do ski school ...its your choice then. Reid did great too, has great form and was all over the blues and would have gotten poles had he choosen to go to ski school the last day but he wanted to ski with us. Macy did awesome as well. She did green runs unassisted, made great turns, in total control and she drug me down tree trails all afternoon Friday. It was cute she just skiied and hummed and sang to herself 100% content. It was really neat to have ALL the family on skis and able to hang out together. Also Duke and I did the nastar race 3 times and I beat him every time....yippie me...good times.

My Macy also turns 5 this Saturday....YIKES that is so bizzare to think all 3 of my kiddos will be in elementary school in August. I know she is ready and I know I will not be one of those boo hoo moms....never have been but a crazy realization none the less. We have a princess makeover party planned and she is so excited....so pics of that will be coming soon as well.....well hopefully I am trying to load from my mac and it does not want to cooperate so this is all for now and I will keep trying.

OH FOR THE LOVE

Angel
Devil

Ok so my sweet little 4 year old sassy coy Macy was in RARE form yesterday. I did not find any of her incidents humorous but I am sure some of you will...I only record this for posterity sake. So yesterday was not the best day for me my a kidney stone decided to pass and I was running a fever from that....allergies were kicking ....so not my tip top. The day began with the kids arguing over the computer.... actually Reid was playing and Macy wanted too and was being UGLY so she lost her turn. I walk into my bathroom later to find that she spilt my powder all over my cushion in the bathroom and then put it up to hide it....no attempt to clean it up. Then downstairs she takes a balloon and sticks it in the fireplace and rubs it in soot and begins to play in it....I popped the balloon and threw it in the garbage.....she CUT her dress right across the tummy making a 6 inch hole(oddly the dress in the Angel photo).....I made her throw her dress away and sent her to her room....where she threw all her clothes all over the room..... I made her clean it up. Then she found some playdo and took it upstairs....A BIG NO NO.....and went and found her brothers new psp (that is OFF limits to her) that was charging in HIS room....and stuck the playdo all over the screen....I spanked her for this one and sent her to her room again.....well by this time it was almost dinner so I made the kids dinners and asked Reid to go get her....and he said she was asleep in her room. Duke was home and went to wake her up and found that she took the wick from a candle and rubbed it all over an area of her carpet about 1.5 ft sq......AND wrote on her wall with the black wick gunk and a pencil. By this point I was pretty sure a demon had entered my child. So after dinner we went to inspect it and made her clean the pencil and soot off the wall....it is still on the carpet and I doubt it will come out. She was spanked again by Duke and then she had the gall to find Dales DS stylus pen and bend it....she then was sent to bed and I told her I did not want to see her again that night. HOLY COW This sounds like I need the freaking Super Nanny..... My mom said Macy reminds her of me when I was a kid and has ALWAYS said if I was first there would have been no more kids and I can honestly say I think that is true in my case. I love that little girl more than the world but sometimes she pushes me to the edge of sanity.....and that was yesterday. I am happy to report she has been good today and nothing in my home has been altered to the point of destruction so thank goodness for that. But for the love of Macy....

A December to Remember

Ok I left off at Dale's Birthday and still have yet to have the party, but that should occur in January in a joint effort with Reid since his birthday is only 8 days away!

Dec.12 Dales Football team played in the State playoff game and WON! They had an undefeated season and the final game was a good one. The season was fun but I have to say I am enjoying having my week nights and Saturdays to myself again. The team photo at the end of the game!

Dale ready to hit someone

My boys

The signs I made for the game.

Part 2: December : Christmas

Christmas was wonderful and Santa showed up to spoil the masses. The top gifts were for Dale Prototype and the 4 other PS3 games he got. Reid was his PSP and games and Heelies shoes, and a racetrack. For Macy it was her microphone and speaker, and jewelry, and clothes, and toys....and EVERYTHING. For me I got a handmade calender from Reid, Pandora jewelry for my bracelet, all the Twilight books, and a wii game I hope I will use to get into shape, and cash...Duke well his comes next week his trip to California to the National Championship game but he also got a UT snuggie, and a 7 ft tall blow up Longhorn. It was a wonderful Christmas. Dukes mom came to visit, and the kids took in some movies. We also went to Kerrville and visited with my folks and brother Scott, Tanya and little Sam. I have to say my kids LOVE their cousin and are so eager to have more....and will in the spring and summer of next year!

A HUGE difference this year was that Dale was an in the know Santa Helper. He got to help us make it happen. In hindsight I wish I had made it more memorable like sticking him in a box and making him think you had to go get the gifts or something memorable but we just took him up in the garage storage area where I wrap it all up and he was amazed that it was even up there....and honestly he stared at the gifts more than helping ....but none the less was in awe.

Spreading Reindeer food on a VERY windy Christmas eve.

Macy with Santa at school.....she did not want to go and said mom I know it's Mr. Dustin and I don't wanna sit with him...but did to share the picture with Daddy
Our Christmas photo

REID

MACY

DALE

The Gingerbread house the kids did and ginger people that I have to give credit to my Neighbor Elena who made them for us.....SO CUTE

Lights in Marble Falls by the river.....really neat

December part 3: A Sad End

I do have to admit that December did have a sad end for us. We had to put our sweet dog Annie to sleep. On the 26th she woke up and had no mobility in her hind legs....but did all she could to drag herself where she wanted to be. So we took her to the emergency vet clinic where we decided to run xrays and blood work and really found nothing and decided to have them keep her overnight and see if the next day was better. She had been chewing at her tail and the vet said if there was any onset of early paralysis then very likely that was why she was licking it b/c it tingled. She improved mildly overnight and could stand on her legs if placed there but still could not walk. We went to visit her and she had to walk with a sling under her belly to support her back end and she had not willingly gone the the bathroom in 24 hours so we took her for a very assisted walk where she did go #2 but still no #1.... and she was very happy to see us...although it was a pretty tearful emotional visit. So we gave her back and were told they think she had a stroke of sorts and passed a clot that has effected her motor skills in her legs and that her back is in awful condition and very arthritis ridden. That she may improve with time but this might be as good as it will get. She needs to stay away from stairs, tile and slick surfaces, and will need assistance in using the restroom, but she could sustain life like that...also that since they are an emergency facility she would need to be picked up by 8 am the next day and taken to our own vet for care. So we left her and came home to talk it out both Duke and I knowing we were putting off the inevitable. His suggestion was go get her in the morning bring her home to see Sami and say our goodbye's. So I agreed and then 10 mins later said I think we should get her and bring her home.....if this is her last night I do not want it spent in a cage where she is scared.... we can give her medicine and take her out.....he agreed and I left to get her. She was overjoyed to see me, to leave and come home and wanted so badly to run and tried with the front legs but the hind ones were totally limp. We had a camp out in the living room so she could have all her people in one room and watch over us all one last night. And she did I woke up several times to find her just perched over us with her protective loving gaze. Duke heard her in the kitchen trying to go out side to go to the bathroom. She had drug herself there was stuck in the doggie door with 2 non working back limbs and he helped her out and back in. The kids knew this was the last night so that they could take it in and it was very hard as this was the first brush with death of a loved one. Duke bravely took her the next morning and did not leave her side until she was gone. We have had several teary night moments with no Annie at the end of our beds. Sami is very sad and confused and heard her collar shake yesterday and jumped up and ran to the sound to hopefully find Annie and only found the kids moving her collar....she has been pretty clingy but time heals all. I know this is kinda sappy and lots may think...uhhhh its just a dog, but I assure you the loss of the unconditional love of an animal is a tough loss. She was one of the first things we got married and for 11 years enjoyed her.... coming to terms with that is not easy.

We were wanting a companion for our other dog Sami, and looked at numerous cute puppies, and one afternoon in North Austin we were lured to stop and look at boxer puppies. They wanted $400 and I said I just want a dog I do not need a pedigree....and across the parking lot was a beat up farm truck that had a paper that said "free pups" She was the last one in the truck bed and just a little black ball....and I knew she was mine and little did I know I had just hit the dog lottery jackpot. She was a remarkable dog. She kinda became mine and Sami is kinda Dukes dog. Named Annie after one of the dogs in Where the Red Fern Grows...Duke's opinion, mine was after Little Orphan Annie... Annie just loved the kids....a very gentle spirit, but quite protective of them. She would place herself between us and any stranger that might come to the door and I guess she knew she could look mean but never was to us. Even when the kids horsed around and got rough she would bark at them as if to say...hey cool it! someones gonna get hurt! The kids would take food from her bowl and even from her mouth as babies and she just waited till they were done and resumed what ever she was doing. They rode her, fell on her, crawled on her, pulled up on her, sat on her, poked her eyes, ears and nose in curiosity ....you name it and she tolerated it with amazing Patience. She spent EVERY night splitting her time in our rooms....starting in the boys by the end of Dales bed, then to under Macys, then to ours under a table, and back to the boys and Macys and ours ALL night...and then she slept and rested during the days....that's what she loved.... to be with us. We knew that confining her to the downstairs alone at night with out any individual control would be harder on her than anyone else and no real quality of life. A tough sad decision but the right one.

Reid wrote this it says December 28th 2009 Annie Dog.... as a tribute to her on the 28th when Duke left with her.She loved the kids as if they were her babies.....when each one came home she never left the babies sides.

Here she is with Dale, then as a puppy, again watching Dale in his bassinet, with Reid, just an awesome dog.

Here meeting Macy , playing with Dale...those teeth look mean but NEVER even nibbled anyone..., and dressed for Christmas
My sweet gentle Annie rest in peace

Here there and everywhere

Macy hollerin' out a cheer

In the past month we have kept busy. Dales football team is still in the playoffs....with only 4 teams left the end is in sight. Don't get me wrong I love it but we began in July that is 6 months of fun....I am about fun-ed out. The cheerleaders I coached did awesome at competition and all our squads won first place. The older girls even were given an opportunity to perform at the Spurs halftime! So So proud of them and actually proud of me too ....it was a long season. My Cheer girls

We took in a few more UT games and my Grandma and Bepaw even came. It was lots of fun and the kids got to take a bunch of pics with cheerleaders and pom squad girls....Dales favorite.

Dale with Pom girl

Hook E'm

On the field with Bevo

We made the trek to Nebraska for Thanksgiving and honestly if there was a job Duke could do and support us there I would be all for moving. Got to visit with family I had not seen in a while and play some spoons and shuffleboard and eat more that I ever needed too. The drive was uneventful which was really nice. Duke hooked up the PlayStation to the car tv, we had ds's, ipods, portable dvd players, lots of technology driving down the road....but worth it for no major arguements. Our neighbor also loaned us an official CORN HEAD....super funny. My aunt actually had always wanted to have her picture in one and had not so a dream was full filled...thanks again Kurt. The boys went turkey hunting and found some cool bones from a calf, and turkey too! So some treasures did come home with us....yea.

kids with Great Grandma and Don
4 generation

The whole family...we most of them

We ended our trip with a stop in Dallas to visit with Troy and Carolyn and Mama Sam. We did Christmas with Troy and Carolyn and heard the news that the new cousin is a girl! It will be wonderful to have a sweet little girl cousin! Carolyn looks and feels great so all is going great!

Macy got Makeup

I finally feel like I am in the final stretch of catching up for last month and it is only the first week of the next one so that is not too bad. My laundry machine is washing away, Christmas is unpacked and out inside and outside will be as soon as I can do it and NOT freeze, shopping is pretty much done, but I have failed to get the Christmas pics taken and out so not sure what I am gonna do about that yet.

In final news I will have a 9 year old tomorrow! Wow that time flew. He is so big in so many way and so little in others. He is super smart...but can be so brain-less at times.
A couple funny stories :When driving to Nebraska we ate at Mc Donalds and he insisted " I DISGUISE MC Donalds!" really disguise?...it is in a mask b/c I think you mean despise....oh yea whatever I don't like that place.

Another funny was a kid got hurt and he asked me "mom will he have to be in a cartwheel? A cartwheel...he broke his arm I do not think he can do a cartwheel dale....no no the chair cartwheel....you mean wheelchair? Uhh yea.

And final funny was during a football game and he hollered out "that was International grounding....really dale international....as in all over the world....amazing. you know what I meant MOM!

Dale when he found out he had a PS3 to go with the PS3 game he got.

It was actually cute he got the game and acted excited as to not hurt mama Sam's feelings ...but we knew it was for the wrong system, and when we asked him he said, well we can take it back and switch it...but Mama Sam thank you so much...it is great!...She then said oh I thought I got you one...have you looked in the dryer at home? WHAT? Dale you have one at home. WHAT? YEAH! ensue jumping and dancing! Awesome love those moments.

He keeps me on my toes....but Happy Birthday Dude....your an all star!

Another interesting story we had football practice and Macy begged me to take some barbies...I advise not b/c it is dark once we are there and no real place to play with them but say it is her decision and she will be responsible for them. We go...it is frigid...we come home. Cue next morning I say get your jacket and lets go. ....sobs....My jacket I left it at practice....MY BARBIES! Where are they....sobs sobs. So I call in to work to inform them I will be late b/c I am driving to the field to see if either of the missing items are there. ....15 min drive there ..... traffic..... ticked mom....sad Macy....NO Jacket, No barbies....I then open the back of the car to find the jacket crumpled in the floor but no barbies. ...they ran away I guess...and she is still sad about it but hopefully a lesson has been learned! I threatened to sell her to some co-workers but have since changed my mind and I guess I will keep her.... and sadly I know that this is JUST the tip of the iceberg in what is to come....Lord help me