Where to Start?

I do not know why I am so tired? Maybe that is why I have not been posting. Honestly, I really have no excuse. I should be less busy now that I do not have a full time job right?

August Recap:
Adjust to our new surroundings in what I will affectionately refer to as Small Town USA. We went to the library, to the city swimming pool (You actually have to take a rest every hour for 10 minutes, they make everyone get out of the pool and then allow you to get back in. This was a very different experience than swimming at a private pool.), researched the schools again, registered the children for school, went to Indianapolis to the Children's museum and did some shopping, bought back to school supplies and started school. Z is not in to taking pictures lately, so he refused to take any on the 1st day.























September Recap:
We went to Disney World for Labor Day weekend. So much fun, so hot, but first we must prepare to go.

As most of you know I am a clean freak or as my friends like to say I am OCD. Well, there could not have been a worse time for the news to start reporting on the bed bug outbreak, you can get them on your luggage at airport, hotel, etc. Now we are going to Disney, what is one to do? So I read up on ways to prevent getting them, pack everything in plastic bags, right before you leave spray the outside of your luggage with a bug spray, put luggage in restroom upon arrival and search room for bugs, then do not place any items on floor and when you return home put all items in kitchen and empty and wash immediately. So, what do you think that I did? You guessed right all of the above! Robert was so annoyed in the mornings when he would try and get his clothes and it would be so loud. OK enough about bed bugs.

The trip itself was very nice. We were in Disney for 5 nights/6 days. I would honestly say that this was just about the right amount of time. The kids loved the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. They were not so keen on Epcot or Animal Kingdom. They enjoyed swimmimg at the hotel as well.

The remainder of September was filled with more adjustments to Small Town USA. We attended a high school football game, now in Texas football is big and so are the stadiums, not so much here. Well the crowd was big, but not the stadium seating. We saw many people bringing in there own chairs. We were confused, but we soon learned that there is really no seating, so you bring a lawn chair to the game, remember this was a high school game that we paid to get into and had to bring our own chair. M and Z are playing soccer on a city team. Interesting group of people that we play with. You must bring a chair to the game with you also. We also attended a parade in another town and in our town. You must bring chairs to the parade with you as well to stake out your turf. The parade was neat in the other town and we learned that they through candy to the children, I thought maybe a few pieces, oh no we ended up with two gallon sizes bags and that was after I told Z and M not to pick up anymore. The parade in our town was the same. Except that there is a Hershey plant here, so Hershey had a float and literally dumped a bucket of candy to each child of chocolate. Some snack size, a few full and king size bars. Crazy! So, what does one Mom do with all the candy, remember I do not allow my children to have to much sugar. I give it to the neighbors and send some home with my Mom and Dad. YES, my Mom and Dad came for a visit at the end of September. The children were very excited to see them. We went to the parade and festival, went to an apple orchard and just hung out. Sad again to see them go and we will not get to see them until Christmas.

So now you are all caught up! Well, I still need to add pictures and do October, but I am getting closer, right?

A Weekend and Illinois

So we left Texas on Sunday, July 25 . . . A sad day, well let's just say it was overall a sad week. I am not good at saying goodbye. We had to say goodbye to our families, dear friends, baby sitters and my coworkers who had become my dear friends. I did more crying in the course of the week than I have done in I do not know how long. I still get that lump in my throat just thinking about it.

We made it to Illinois on Sunday July 25 late afternoon after a 10 hour travel excursion. You see we literally live in the middle of the corn fields. I am talking the middle of nowhere. We are fortunate that there is Internet. You have to pay your water and sewer bill in person. Everyone in town knows each other and are not so friendly to strangers. I have tried to start numerous conversations only to be given one word answers or to be shrugged off, really! That is when I get that lump in my throat again and miss all those people mentioned above. I think for a few minutes about packing my bags and heading back to Texas. But, then I remember that I need to put on my big girl pants and make it work.

Before we left Texas we were able to partake in two really amazing events, Z Man's 7th birthday party and Jill Pill's wedding.

Z decided that he wanted a party at Mt. Aggie, but I decided that we need to have a water park party at Adamson's Lagoon with our friends the Vestal's. It was also Kenley's 11th birthday, so together we rented the pool for a private party. Summer birthday's are hard since everyone is on vacation, so between the two of them I think there were 35 children and 14 life guards and then the parents. They all had so much fun! We had to say goodbye to the Vestal's, so hard they were our neighbors at our first house in College Station and became our dear friends. We have traveled with them and made so many memories.

Jill Pill's wedding was beautiful. Jill looked amazing! We went with Anna, Ross and Jen Jen and then the girls and I. Z and Rob had already left for Illinois. The children enjoyed dancing and in true typical M form she stuck to Jill like glue. M loves Jill! The rest of us do as well, but M has a special attachment since Jill babysat her from 3 months until 2 1/2. Jill is also the sister of my dear friend Allison, you know the one who takes all the amazing pictures! M had a major meltdown when it was time to leave, which made Allison, Jill and I all cry even more. I am so thankful to have Jill, Allison and Jen in our lives. They are truly like sisters to me and Aunt's to my children.

So we had some fun before we said good bye, but it was still really hard and now I am in Illinois in the corn fields . . .

Baby S Is 2!

Today marks the second birthday of Baby S. I guess that she is not really a baby anymore and I will have to refer to her as S. Things that she does at two, wow her vocabulary has grown so much. Her favorite thing to say is Bob Bill, a story for another time. But, if you see her ask her about Bob Bill and she will be sure to tell you. She is happy almost 99% of the time, quiet, snugly and loving. She has to have a nite nite at all times and a baby. To make it even more interesting she loves things in two's.

She does fight mostly with M and does like to hit, we are working on that. She loves the Z Man. She also loves to visit with her cousin Maddie. She and Maddie are almost a year apart and I think that S thinks that she can dote on Maddie.

We will celebrate this weekend with family and friends, so for now I leave you with this adorable picture, that truly describes her.

99 Things I ought to Have Done . . .

99 Things I Ought to Have Done...

Found this interesting from another friend and thought I would give it a try.

Instructions:
Copy the list, bold the ones you've done (with explanations if needed), share with friends.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm (I live in TX. 'Nuff said)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (if those caricatures count)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (Broke my hip in 8th grade)
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee (in the ear)

I have a lot to do. Better get busy.

The M Girl

M turned four on Monday. Wow 4! Where has the time gone? We had a Pinkalicious party for her on Saturday at the Children's Museum. She had a great time seeing all of her friends, school friends, Dallas friends and old neighborhood friends. My brother, sister in law and Rob's parents, sister in law and niece's and nephew also made the trip. We were also fortunate to have my aunt as well. A Pinkalicious time was had by all! Check out the beautiful picture on the invitation that was taken by my super talented friend Allison. Just love it!




















At 4 M is a true girly girl, does not hesitate to speak her mind. She is a good friend to others as well. She is definitely not the typical middle child, M makes sure that she is heard. M is very into American Girls right now as well as jewelry and purses, my it starts young. Happy 4th Birthday M! We love you!

Hello, Strangers!

I know that it has been about 4 months since I blogged. I honestly do not even know where the time has gone.

Robert came home from Singapore, we vacationed with our good friends the Vestal's and the Hallberg's at Rosemary Beach in Florida. Had a blast! Z Man turned six and we had a pool party for him with all of our friends including my good friends from Dallas, Jennifer and Allison and their respective families. School started, Z is repeating Kindergarten and I can tell a huge difference! M walked into the first day of school and has never looked back, she loves it. No crying like last year! S is enjoying some alone time at home with me or a sitter. Robert turned 36 and Gretchen turned 30, we celebrated in our usual fashion with a meal and dessert, you get your choice, so we had two. My grandmother continues to be in and out of the hospital, we hope and pray for some sort of recovery. Z Man is playing flag football, we have only had four games due to all of the rain. That is the condensed version of four months of life.

This weekend Adam will celebrate his 31st birthday, but we will not have a party until the following weekend. We are looking forward to Halloween, Z will be a vampire, M a clown and S a ladybug. I am looking forward to a girl's weekend on the 7th to celebrate the impending arrival of Allison's new baby girl. After that I can't wait for Black Friday shopping.

Happy Friday!

Where are the Monkeys?

We have been busy, doing what, I do not know!

Z and S both finished out the years at there respective schools. M will move to the same school as Z next year and she is so excited. Z will stay at his existing school and there is some debate as to whether we repeat Kindergarten or go on to First Grade. Z will not even turn 6 until school is about to start, so . . . the debate continues.

Baby S is just cruising around, she definitely tries to make more sounds since the ear surgery, but no real new words.

This past weekend we were supposed to go tot the coast with my parents for a long weekend. Unfortunately, my grandmother got into a bad car wreck. She was being driven by one of the girls that helps with her as well as the kids. Another college girl ran two stop signs and hit them totaling both cars. My grandmother is doing OK, except that she has a broken neck, ankle and a fractured knee. Her spirits are down and she will not eat. I am a little worried. We visit daily, hope and pray for a full recovery. So, no trip to the beach. Since my parents were busy and Rob is still away we took a trip to the zoo. We met up with Jen and her crew at the zoo, Janeen was nice enough to come along for the ride. We thought that Allison may be able to join us, but it just did not work out. We had so much fun looking at the animals, having a picnic and playing at the ghetto park, I mean spray park. Fun was had by all and it was a good break.

Even though there were no monkeys at the zoo, we definitely had some with us at the zoo!