Six Flags!

You mean lemonade?

Me: What do yall want to drink for supper?
Jason: Whemonade!
Maddie: I want whemonade too!
Jason: Maddie, it's not whemonade, it's whemonade!

Daddy's Turn

So tonight was Trav's night to brush teeth (the kids' I mean). Let me set this up:

9:47 pm. After swimming for 1 1/2 hours. No naps. I repeat no naps.

This is the exchange I hear between Trav & Maddie in the bathroom:

Trav: "Maddie, open your mouth."
Mads: "NO! Mommy will do it!"
Trav: This time more stern, less patient, "Maddie, open your mouth, it's time to brush your teeth."
Mads: "I'm not brushing my teeth!"
Trav: "Fine. I'm done."

Maddie runs out, Trav finishes up Jason.

Maddie to Me: "I didn't brush my teeth."
Trav emerges minutes later: "I didn't do as thorough a job with Maddie..."

I love that I have a husband who helps with the kidos. He does dishes too. And he makes the best quesadillas. And sandwiches. And bbq'd pizza.

The Awesome Reasoning of a 4 year old

We were at Lake Texoma for the weekend and while in the lake Jason asks, "Mamma, if you wear sunscreen, will Moon hurt you?"

Is it any good?

So after spending 2 hours making 12 jars of jam (YES, 12!), i'm wondering if they'll be any good, if they'll set up right, have I wasted a lot of time and moolah...and Maddie walks in, sees the strawberry jam mess on my apron, and starts licking it. And doesn't stop. I guess I got my answer.

Summer Vacation

Time with Grammy Candy & Grampa Gordy - We love you!




Day Trip to the Beach at Seaside, Oregon

Happy Birthday to Jason

Four years ago my life changed drastically, amazingly, and forever. Nothing will ever be the same. I look at every situation through Mommy Glasses.

Jason, you have brought me joy I never knew I could experience, stretch marks, laughter deeper than ever reached, more knowledge about superheroes and their powers than I ever cared to know, lots of grey hair, a deeper appreciation for my own mother and father, but more than ever, you have given me more love in these seemingly 4 short years than I ever thought my heart could hold. You are beautiful, smart, loving, generous, tall, handsome, intelligent, and funny. You are everything I ever wished for when I dreamed of you years and years ago.

Today we sat in a theatre and watched Toy Story 3, (which, by the way, wasn't the best of ideas given today my baby turned 4). 5 years ago the story of a boy outgrowing his toys would have been just that, a story, but today, it strikes so many more cords, emotional ones at that. Jason can buckle himself into his car seat by himself, he insists on pouring his own syrup on his waffles, he picks out his own clothes (he has his father's awesome sense of style). Never again will he be tiny enought to fit into my arms, or need me to provide his every bit of nourishment. My life is way harder, things take way longer (simple things. things that should take seconds, take HOURS), I have no money, my hips, boobs, and thighs will never be the same; I love you so much it sometimes hurts, but I wouldn't trade the experience of being your mother for anything.

Sitting in a west Texas mexican restaurant last week, our last night of vacation, Trav and Jason sitting across from me, Maddie sitting next to me quietly crushing her tortilla chips, I realized I have been given everything I could ever want, and I've achieved a level of happiness many people will never know. Not just joy, but complete contentment, how could I ever ask The Good Lord for anything more? I have so much and I'm so greatful.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Only in America would driving 4500 miles, 2 plane trips, and traveling to 4 different states with 2 small (and very vocal) children be considered a "vacation." Our trip to In N Out Burger, however, was well worth it.

Maddie & Jason had a great time with Grama and Grampa Oregon who showered them with love, attention, and lots of other goodies (Jason's still wearing his Nemo swim get up).

I'll post pictures of the beach and aquarium, so tune in!

Welcome Home Mommy

So right after school was out, I headed south to San Marcos at Texas State University to play teacher/counselor at an Aquatics Adventure Camp. TONS-O-FUN! We went scuba diving, snorkeling, tubing, river rafting, to the underground caverns in New Braunfels, and to Sea World. It was a great experience, but, I missed 9 wake ups, 8 bedtime stories (I didn't miss the preceeding 8 teeth brushings), and lots of other good stuff. M & J had a great time with PaPa & Grama, and Trav had an even better time revamping the Jetta, but I'm sure glad to be home.