The Word from the Herd

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T09:29:00.000-06:00

We started out the New Year with a Bang or a Break if you will. Last night about the same time the Cowboy game was beginning Tom received a phone call from his brother who reported he had low water pressure and was curious if there was a problem. Then our phones started ringing and we realized we were very low on pressure as well.
A large main line at the water plant broke. 3/4 of the City was without water til about 2am this morning. Tom came home and got about 4 hrs sleep then the phone started again.
The City Employees have the day off for the New Years Holiday. Well, not all the employees, crews are out taking care of aftermath problems from the break. The break isn't fixed, just bypassed.
I am saddened by the negative, rude, and some hateful comments posted on Facebook regarding the break. I know that because of my relationship with Tom I have a better understanding of the water plant and what all is involved but, I truly feel that if people would just stop and think they would realize it's not a matter of unhooking a hose, turning off a faucet and switching.
Many of our lines are old, water pressure, pumps, lifts, valves, water towers are all involved. And when people comment about workers standing around and eating sandwiches it really goes all over me. They are waiting for HUGE valves that require100's of turns to be turned off so they can get to work. And sometimes it takes alot of accessing and discussing to decide the best, safest, way to handle a problem.
Ok. Rant over.
So what did you do New Years Eve? We took the kids out for Mexican, walked around downtown, came home, watched a movie and were in bed by 10:30p. :)
I know I am ready to get back to work, get kids back into school. Start back with a routine, schedule. I have gotten very lazy and pathetic.
We have today, Monday, and tomorrow then a short work week to get us started.

Happy New Year. Big Hugs and Many Blessings for a Great 2012.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-30T17:05:00.000-06:00

Christmas is over. Everything is taken down and boxed up and back in the attic. I am ready for 2012 to begin. I am going to add a list on the left of items that I intend to see accomplished in the next 6 months. Help me stay on track. Keep checking back to the blog and lets see how well I do.
Enjoy the smilebox of Christmas photos.

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Wonderful Blogs

2011-12-24T08:43:00.000-06:00

I have just found Parisienne Farm Girl Holy Moly. I love it! I came across it throught Laurie Ann's site. Another fun site.
If you like to decorate with vintage, country, farm, style you have to check these ladies out.

Lovin' the time OFF

2011-12-21T18:52:00.000-06:00

This is the large nativity at the Hermitage in Christoval. It is very beautiful and looks so sweet and peaceful out in the middle of their courtyard.

I am having a very nice Christmas Holiday. The house is relatively clean. I am not over stressing on that. Laundry is caught up. Some baking has taken place. I have even attempted homemade marshmellows-the jury is out til tomorrow morning on that. We will make more sugar cookies and decorate tomorrow. I have all the shopping done and just need to get wrapping on the Christmas morning gifts. All others are wrapped.
Beef stew is cooking in the crockpot and Christmas movies are a constant on the TV.
Sitting, Reading, Crocheting, Baking, listening to the boys playing outside. awwwww.........

Austin Texas

2011-12-10T09:16:00.000-06:00

Thursday morning William and I were at the school at 4:30a to catch the bus to Austin. The 4th grade class took a field trip to visit the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum and the Capital. I drove behind the bus and as soon as the capital tour was over William and I headed out. We filled up with gas and snacks and hit the road. I wanted him to get to bed at a decent time so he would be fresh for the show on Friday morning they do for schools.
We had a great trip. I hope to get a smilebox made soon but for now here's a pic of William and I on the Senate floor.

King and I

2011-12-10T09:04:00.000-06:00

The past two weeks have been full of rehearsals and last night the show opened. And an amazing opening it was. The talent these kids possess is always amazing to me. I am so fortunate to be a small part of this amazing group.
I am so thankful that friends of ours were able to come for the show. The little girl, 4th grade, loves the movie King and I. She watches it often with her grandmother. Her mom and grandmother brought her. They live 3 hrs away. They loved it and I got her picture with the leads.

Yes, these kids are as sweet and wonderful and kind as they appear in the photo.

Prayer for Day 8

2011-12-04T20:39:00.000-06:00

Today is the 8th Day of Advent. I am reading the Advent & Christmas devotional with Wisdom from Padre Pio.
I especially love today's prayer and scripture reflection and want to share it with you.
Read 1Kings 19:11-12.

Prayer:
Because you are God of All Creation, you are certainly God of Moise as well. So why do I plead to be led out of the raucousness that surrounds me? You are in the racket as well as in the silence, calling me, loving me, just as you have promised. O Beloved Voice, I pray that I might hear you in the noisiest moments of my life, in those moments when I am deaf to the delightful song of creation, as well as in those moments of absolute stillness. Please grant me the grace to hear what you are saying to me- and to understand what I must do with my life. Amen.

Blessing from a letter of Padre Pio's.
I wish you, from the dear Redeemer, the grace of steadfastness of purpose, and especially that of being silent and letting everything around you be silent, in order to hear the voice of the Beloved and establish a peaceful dialogue with Him.

Blessings my friends in this second week of Advent. We wait quietly and patiently for the light of the world.

Ho! Ho! Holy Moly!

2011-12-04T20:32:00.000-06:00

Augh....I think about this blog often just don't seem to use my computer time effectively to get it updated.
October 23rd weekend we took the kids to Lubbock for the weekend to visit our niece, Meagan. She is doing well. We were able to spend some time with her boyfriend, Scott, and Jerad's girlfriend, Tawny, too while we were there. Jerad was off on a hunting trip.
Thanksgiving was a special time for us all to get together. Meagan, Jerad, and Wayne were all able to spend time here during the holiday. We all miss Jeanette terrible and gatherings such as this make it even more clear that she is no longer with us. You prayers for all of us during this Advent/Christmas season are much appreciated.
Audrey and William are busy with rehearsals for King and I. Performances are this weekend Fri-Sun at the coliseum. Great actors/actresses will grace the stage. Come see a show if you can.
William and I will be going to Austin on Thursday for his class fieldtrip to the capital. I am going to drive my car behind the bus so as soon as his tour is over we can hit the road home. The plan is for him to sleep on the way home and then get to bed early. He will have to be at the coliseum at 7:30a the next morning for the first performance of King and I.
Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Kids with Meagan in October.

Our Lady of the Rockies

2011-10-12T20:24:00.000-05:00

This evening a friend in my Adult Faith Class shared a video of the building of Our Lady of the Rockies in Butte Montana. The neatest part is that Ron's Dad was one of the crew members who helped build Our Lady. Ron was also there when the statue was constructed. When you have an opportunity I recommend you go to ourladyoftherockies.net and read more about her.

I pray you all are doing well. My family is Great. We are remaining healthy, thank goodness. School is going well for all of us.

This past weekend, Columbus weekend, Mom and I took the kids to San Antonio on Saturday. We had tickets to Mary Poppins at the Majestic Theatre. The performance was AMAZING! Watching the kids was almost as entertaining as watching the show. We met friends who were also there for the show, for dinner, stopped in to Charming Charlies and headed home. It turns out that Tom finally located a vehicle that fit all the desires we wanted for a price we could accept, in Austin. So he and his brother took off for Austin to pick up our new 2012 Ford Flex, color-ginger ale. We love it. Me especially because I get to be the one to drive it. Tom's car was totalled out after an accident in early September. A lady ran a stop sign and Tom t-boned her. No one was hurt. We decided to get a vehicle that would fit all 6 of us but would be a bit smaller than my Expedition. I miss my Big Red Truck but it's nice that it is still in the family. I will work on getting a picture soon.

Hugs to all.
xoxo Amy and the Herd

All is Well

2011-09-01T22:44:00.000-05:00

Yea Me! I am actually getting into a better blogging rhythm. School for the kids is under way and going well. The boys love their teachers, and so do I. Audrey is enjoying her 2nd year in middle school. She made the symphonic band. She will march in parades, play at their middle school games, also play at the last home game for the high school. She will get to participate in UIL events.
She and William auditioned for the King and I. They made the cast! William is a prince and Audrey is in the Lead Dance Troupe and a member of the palace staff. They have so much fun at SABA. All the boys will take tap classes again this year. William is also signed up for a voice lesson with Mr. Fox. Yippeee! Audrey will be in a tap class as well as 3 ballet classes at SABA. We are sad that Butterfly Academy closed and miss our times there. Several of the girls in Audrey's classes at Butterfly will be taking at SABA. So that makes us smile. And Mrs. Cheryl is always around for us to see and be with too.
James and Joseph decided they want to learn more about tennis. We got info and signed the boys up for a 6wk lesson with a local association. They had their first lesson last week and really enjoyed it. The little boy Joseph accidentally beaned with his racquet didn't have that enjoyable of a class but, hopefully it will go better for him next week. :) William got the bug and decided he wants to sign up too!
I started back to work on Monday. pfew, i'm tired and the students don't even start til next week! We have had inservice classes and been cleaning up, organizing, etc..... The resource room has been my assignment. I went a little nuts but, boy does it look good. I don't think I threw away anything important ::snort::. I did lay alot of stuff out for the teachers to go through before I ditched it or gave it away.
All the family, extended included, are still reeling from the death of Tom's sister. I know that for me, I can be going along in my day and all is well. Then something will spark a memory or thought of her or her kids and I will have to choke back tears or sometimes just give into them. Looking forward to seeing our niece and nephew sometime this fall. I just want to hug their necks so bad!
Well, it's late and my poor fingers are really starting to ache. I've been entering data for the room parent committees for the elementary school. So far things are looking good for getting the room parents put in place.
Big Hugs and Many Blessings.
AmyK

Back at It

2011-08-29T22:21:00.000-05:00

Today was my first day back at work/school. We are gearing up for Meet the Teacher on Thursday and First Day of School Wednesday after Labor Day. I enjoyed being back in the school, back at work, back with friends. However, it was hard to receive the hugs, blessings, questions surrounding the death of my sister in law.
The hurt, in all shapes and sizes, that so many of us are feeling is soooo hard. I ache for all of our family in so many ways.
I encourage you to consider your relationships with the ones you love. Pray about them. Get close to your creator, your family, you spouse or special someone.
Do what you can and leave the big stuff to Him who made you.
Fr. Tim in the ....oh shoot....I can't believe I can't think of the name........MITFORD...Jan Karon - Mitford series books.
Fr. Tim the Episcopalian Priest. He struggles with knowing the right things to say, making sure to reach out and praying he does what God wants. His constant prayer is Thy Will Be Done.
Shhhh.....Listen......God is calling you, telling you, loving you, into a relationship with him. Give it to him. He will not fail you. You will wonder, you will question, you will falter, but HE is there. Trust. Faith. Hope. We must believe. We must love.
Now go...say your prayers....love your family....be active in your community....share God's love with others.
I love you.
Big Hugs and Many Blessings.
AmyK

Jeanette Kerr Zachary

2011-08-16T22:09:00.001-05:00

My sweet sister in law passed away Sunday. PLEASE Keep my family in your prayers.

Jeanette Kerr Zachary was elevated to her Lord and Savior’s waiting arms on Sunday, August 14, 2011. Born to Edward Hudson Kerr and Rosella Mitchell Kerr of Sanderson, Texas on February 17, 1960, married to Gilbert Wayne Zachary and raised two beautiful children Meagan Elizabeth Zachary and Jerad Wayne Zachary. A wake service will be held in her memory of her beautiful light on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at Martin Funeral Home in El Paso at 10:00 a.m. A funeral service will be at the First Presbyterian Church in Sanderson at 10:00 a.m. on August 18, 2011 with burial service following. Jeanette was an especially devoted and loving mother to her beautiful children, Meagan and Jerad, and took abundant pride and joy in their love of God and life, consideration of others and great work ethic. A devout Christian and stalwart soldier of the Lord’s love and acceptance were exemplified in her glorious love of family, husband and most especially her beautiful children. She carried her family devotion to her teaching and love of her precious students. A soldier for all those challenged by others and one beginning a movement against bullying in the world. A tremendous fighting spirit for those embattled by others; she would stand strong in a battle while carrying her heart on her sleeve where damage was inevitable. She greatly loved her parents, Memaw and Papa, siblings and all those in need. She loved her students and special friends, Andrea Monsivais, Lorena Hernandez, Christie Brown and dear neighbors. Jeanette remained a lover of dogs (any dog), children, music, reading, walking, shopping and travel. She will be missed tremendously here amongst those bound in body but forever present in the lives and hearts of us all.

She remains with the spirits of her loving husband Gilbert Wayne (Zach) Zachary, children Meagan Elizabeth Zachary and Jerad Wayne Zachary; siblings and spouses Rosalie Kerr Johnson, Edward Hudson Kerr II and Maggie Banner Kerr, Timothy James Kerr and Beth Zumwalt Kerr and Thomas George Kerr and Amy Eggemeyer Kerr; beloved nieces and nephews, Michelle Annette Johnson, Mendy Lyn Johnson, Edward Hudson ‘Ward’ Kerr, III, Banner Joe Kerr, Audrey Rose Kerr, William Thomas Kerr, James Edward Kerr, Joseph Arthur Kerr, and Katelyn Patricia Kerr; many wonderful devoted friends and loved ones from throughout her life and her family; and last mentioned but most definitely not least; beloved dogs Fritz, Tilley, Riley, Kaiya, Joe and Charlie.

Holy Moly

2011-08-14T08:28:00.000-05:00

Have I been away too long? What is up? I can't seem to make the white background go away on the text. I cant get my Smilebox to upload correctly. Not nice.
Guess I have to just kick it up a notch with my blogging.
Back to School~
The boys have all their supplies. Audrey is still needing a few folders and items that only she thinks she absolutely has to have to survive 7th Grade. I am still trying to convince her to just hang on til the first day and findout what her teachers are requesting. I ask for prayers for Audrey as she begins her 7th Grade year. She taking almost all advance classes. Last year she only took advance math. I know, her councelor knows, her teachers know, she can handle it. She is just a little nervous.

ACTS-Adoration, Community, Theology, Service. This is a retreat that is beginning to really become popular. It was begun in the San Antonio area. I attended my ACTS retreat in Sept 2008. Enjoyed it alot and then sort of fizzeled. I was asked to serve on a few teams but never did. Until this past Spring. I was asked to serve on Team. I did, and had an amazing, moving experience. I have been asked to serve again on this Fall Retreat and am on Team. I have assigned to help with some very important committees. I am excited. I ask for your prayers in this also.

I hope you all are doing wonderful. Enjoying the last days of Summer. Ready for Back to School.
Big Hugs and Many Blessings.
AmyK

ANNIE

2011-08-07T09:41:00.002-05:00

Well, this is what we've been up to lately. The month of July the kids were in camp for 3 weeks preparing for the SABA production of Annie. They had a wonderful time and the group put on an amazing show.

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Since my last post we finished another year of school. William did well on his 3rd grade TAKS test and will be moving on to 4th. The twins ended 2nd grade and will move on to third. Audrey had a successful first year in Middle School. She is excited for 7th. She will be taking a creative writing class, and a special community involvement course/art class as well as be in band. She will be able to take dance classes at SABA and have them count for her PE credits. YEA!

My job is still wonderful. I have attended all my workshops this summer and am looking forward to starting a new school year in preschool. My partner has moved as well as our kindergarten teacher and music teacher. All great ladies that will be hugely missed. But we have some nice replacements coming in so we look forward to that.

Memorial weekend we took the kids to Dallas for the weekend and stayed at the Gaylord Texas in Grapevine. Father's day weekend we took the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine. Both fun places and the kids got lots of water time.

I started reading the book 'The House that Cleans Itself' by Mindy Starns Clark. I have had a revelation and began in May to clean out. So far things are going well and I forsee success in my future.

I have missed my blog and plan (once again) to get back in the groove. Pray for me.

William!

2011-04-05T22:47:00.000-05:00

William started shadowing older alter servers in September. He has served several times since then. I am so amazed at how excited he gets about serving. I love his enthusiasm. This past Sunday I took my camera and got a few pictures. His confidence and knowledge of being a good server has really grown over the past few months.
I am so very very proud of him.

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Great DeTox weekend

2011-03-19T10:09:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful time in Fort Davis. Sad that Spring Break is almost over. Time to get back to school and knock out the next 2 1/2 months. Then Summer Time Fun! BEGIN!

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Spring Break-Operation Family DeTox

2011-03-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

We had a great time in Fort Davis Texas. I knew my family needed to get away and detox. I think it atleast got the process started. We were all stressed, tired, and on each others cases about everything. We had a hard time finding a place to stay and for a while I was afraid we wouldn't get to go. Then we found out about the Drug Store Restaurant and Hotel that was opening this past weekend. We gave a call and scored two rooms. The family was really nice and we were honored to be their first guest. They took a picture with us outside the front of the restaurant. I will have to get a copy of the picture.
Joseph and William have discovered a new all time fun thing. ROCK CLIMBING. James was a little more causious but took off too. Audrey took a few days to warm to the idea but then had alot of fun too. Joseph was a little monkey. He'd take off and not stop. "Joseph stop." "Just one more huge rock." "But Joseph, you can't go through that cactus." "Oh........, here's a path." charge straight ahead. "JOSEPH!" "WHAT!?" "You can't go over that rock." "WHY?" "There's nothing but cliff on the other side!" "oh." looks around. face lights up. "THIS WAY! Follow me!" I don't think so. :). He did have a blast. Always ready to pull off the road and take on that mountain.
I have lots of pictures. It is sooo dry and brown still that several pictures are fairly washed out. So I am tweeking them a little and will then make a smilebox to post.

I have an important project I am working on. I need as many prayers as you can send. I am working on a talk and have hit a few stumps. Thanks.

xoxo Amy

Cold....CoLd....COLD

2011-02-03T19:05:00.000-06:00

Ok. Well, this has been fun. Really. I've enjoyed it. The ice patches on the road, the 20 degree or lower days. The single digit and teen degree nights. The day off of school, the late start, the slippery driveway that has entertained James silly. The ever growing pile of wet clothes. It's been great. BUT....this is West Texas. We say we'd like to have snow. We say we are tired of 80 degree days in January. We know people think we are nuts when we call off school for a few flakes and random ice patches on the roads. So thanks. We've had fun playing. Now, if you would please, send us back our sunshine, and mild days.
Enjoy these pictures I had fun taking of the kids.

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New Orleans in the Backyard

2011-01-30T20:36:00.000-06:00

Our kids are so sweet. They enjoyed hearing about our trip to New Orleans so much they decided to recreate it in the backyard. Thanks to very nice weather the show was a hit.
We were really impressed at the talent the kids have. Audrey on her trumpet, William and the twins have been taking tap classes for only 3 weeks and William has really started picking it up well. Angela-their teacher- says the twins are funny. One gets the rhythm well and one gets the steps well. I was blown away at Joseph knowing so many of the words to the Eye of the Tiger AND he had pretty get tone and pronunciation. I guess I'll need to take Mr. Fox up on his suggestion and get the boys into vocal lessons soon too.

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I had a productive weekend. Leaves are picked up in the back yard. Leaves and acorns off the roof. There was a carpet of acorns on the driveway. Thanks to Audrey and some help from the twins-the carpet is gone. I got started on the beds in the front too. I really really really want to shape up the front yard this year. As well as get some flowers blooming in the back. Hope I can get it going this year. Perhaps the kids will be more excited about it this year.
Time to hit the hay. I have a feeling another crazy/wild/fun(?) week of Preschool lays ahead. We have had teachers out sick. Some are sick themselves with things like pneumonia and flu. Some are out with their sick kids or one case a kid with a broken foot. ~~Luckily, fortunately~~, sadly, several students are out too, we can try to combine classes if need be. I will most likely be subbing in a classroom tomorrow. So time for a good night sleep and a big pot of coffee in the morning!
HUGS!

Nawlins'

2011-01-30T08:37:00.000-06:00

FUN! FUN! FUN! Tom and I had a wonderful trip to New Orleans last weekend. We ate wonderful food, heard amazing Jazz, saw great sites. Tom booked a massage and manicure for me Friday morning-it took me nearly 1/2 the massage to clear my mind and relax.
Enjoy the slideshow of our trip.

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New Orleans!

2011-01-15T11:06:00.000-06:00

I am so excited that our trip to New Orleans is just 4 days away. Tom and I will leave Thursday morning to celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary in New Orleans. He surprised me with this wonderful trip at Christmas. He booked the air and hotel and researched a ton of stuff to do, see, eat, hear. We should have a great time.

I had a little money from Christmas and it included a gift card to a local fun boutique. My BFF went with me to pick something out. We found a jacket that was nice and very different for me. Tom wasn't thrilled. So I took it back and looked for something else. Well a young sweet 20 something year old who I have gotten to know from the preschool I work at (Tessa would come in and observe our 3 year old class as part of a college assignment) works at this store. She put me together. What do you think? The only thing I didn't buy was the bracelet.

Hee...Hee....!!

2011-01-12T21:09:00.000-06:00

By Golly Gee George! I think I've done it! Thank you Therese M. for giving me a few tips on getting my blog networked into Facebook. So when I make a new post here it should automatically show up on FB.
Here's hoping!

Christmas Wrap UP

2011-01-09T18:24:00.000-06:00

Hello. Howdy. Ho.
Christmas is safely wrapped up and returned to the attic...well....most of it. There are still a few boxes and the trees in the carport that need to make their way up the ladder but I just don't have it in me. That and I have found that a glass (or 2 or 3) of red wine help me to figure out the ins and outs of Adobe Photoshop. I have been working on photoshop alot today. :)
The kids and I are all back to our prospective schools and very excited to be back. (part of our positive thinking resolution for the new year!)
Some are not as excited as others but so be it.
The 3rd 6weeks ended just as we got out of school in December. This past week the kids brought home their report cards. Straight A's across the board alllll 4 boards! I am so very proud of these kiddos. They really do work hard to get their work done.
I was excited to get back to preschool and see all my big girl friends and all my little friends. By Thursday I was ready for a break. :)
However, the school district has a vacation day on the 17th of January. THEN~ ! ~ My adorable husband is taking me to New Orleans! He surprised me with a trip for our 15th Anniversary. In my stocking was an itinerary all ready booked with airfare and hotel for the 20th - 23rd of January. I really was in so much shock I could barely react. He thought I was disappointed. When in reality I was just so thankful the paper didn't say a refrigerator was being delivered. Ours had gone out but my brother in law had been able to fix it. (after 6 days of trying to decide what was wrong then waiting on a part. I don't recommend living 6 days with a family of 6 and no frig.) But it only cost us $20.00 and all was well. However, in that 6 days we had looked at ALOT of fridges. Tom had gotten pretty attached to a couple of them. I just figured the paper in my stocking was an order form saying the new fridge would be here later in the week. YEA me! it was a trip minus 4 adorable kids, to New Orleans!! He booked the air and hotel and did alot of research. He knows alot about the layout, jazz, places of interest and FOOD already. We've never been. He has even....and you won't believe this.....has researched SPAs for me to go to. Cool huh? I think I might just book a massage and perhaps a manicure.
I am getting really excited. I only have 7 more work days/10 regular days to go til we leave. Yippy! Am already thinking 'I can go ahead and pack this and this and perhaps this....'
Also realizing, based on comments from husband, that a few breakdowns strategically placed in the months, can lead to a trip. I am wondering how many more breakdowns/fits I can ~~plan,~~ ~~have~~, ~~schedule~~, um accidentally just occur, this next year to score like a 7 day cruise next anniversary? :) One of the fun things about this trip is how excited Tom is about it. He loves Cajun/seafood and Jazz. I love French 'stuff', food(pretty much anything), music, and well, Tom. So him being happy is great and simply 3 nts away from my ~~demons~~ . um darlings, is a nice thing.
So enjoy our little Christmas slideshow and I'll be back soon. My wine glass has emptied and time for a refill. I'm sad I know. But hey, it's why you keep coming back to see what I'll write next, right?

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Christmas Preparation

2010-12-24T08:29:00.000-06:00

And this is just what I have pictures of. There are no pictures of me wrapping gifts, Audrey & her grandma cleaning out her room, the twins making sugar cookies (I know...looser mom on that one). See below for the pictures of Seussical that dominated our life for nearly 2 weeks. There are no pictures of me cleaning house or doing laundry or finally filling out Christmas cards. I cut my list way down this year. I just had to.
All in all we have had a fairly nice Advent Season. I am thankful that we are all healthy. I suffered from a sinus infection the second week of December but thanks to good drugs I got over that.
Most of the laundry is done. The floors are mopped and the furniture dusted. A person is able to walk into the boys room, Audrey's room is fantastic-thanks to her grandmother, and the bathroom doesn't stink. So bring on the family. Tom's brother and his family will join us for dinner and Mass this evening. Tomorrow morning we enjoy Santa gifts then out to the farm for Christmas with my parents, brother & his wife.
So now I am off to start a roast and review recipes for cornbread stuffing. First attempt flopped but I think I know what went wrong. I'm ready to try again.
Enjoy your Holiday.

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Seuss!!!

2010-12-23T10:14:00.000-06:00

Here it is the long awaited...much anticipated....Suessical slideshow.

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Seussical!

2010-12-13T06:05:00.000-06:00

So Much FUN! I am totally inlove with the staff, volunteers, and kids of SABA. This past show, Seussical the Musical, was AMAZING. I want to make a really cute smile box of pictures to share. Just haven't had time. When I did have a free hour here or there Tom had me talking refrigerators. Yep...Thursday our refrigerator went out. We have been living out of an ice chest for 4 days. My frig is in the middle of the kitchen, and it's not that big of a kitchen. Audrey is begging for a real meal. After several days of hot pockets, Sonic, pizza, and Schlotzky's she wants something 'real'.
Here is a quick photo of my Seussical kids.

Audrey was a bird creature in the Jungle of Nool. William was a Who child. They were great. Can't wait to share my other photos. But right now I have to fix pictures of the 3 year olds at preschool, make lunches for twins, get kids to school, get me to school, oh and I guess get out of my robe and fix my hair.
Best run. HUGS! from the post Seussical Home of the Herd.

Ready...Set....GO!

2010-12-05T09:36:00.000-06:00

The week ahead of me is a bit scary but, if I don't get any sicker than I am, the kids stay well, the truck doesn't fall apart, and the wind blows just right, we'll make it.
Today-Sunday - Church at 11a, play rehearsal for twins at 3p. Finish Sacrament folders with twins. Audrey get big math project finished. Make a peppermint chiffon cake as an experiment to see if I can. I plan to take one to the teacher lunch on Wednesday at my school.
Monday - 3p get boys, 4:30p William and Diamond(extra girl I had last week and will have this week. she is in Seussical and needs a lift to practices. She is a dear and I love having her around.) to coliseum(across town) for rehearsal. 5:10p pick up Audrey at band rehearsal and take to coliseum.(jr high is very close to our home). Get William from rehearsal and take to elementary school for singing in park and lighting of lights. Then back to coliseum for rehearsal that isn't over til 9pm.
Tuesday - 3p get boys, 4p get Audrey. 4:30 deliver Seussical kids. 5:45p-get Audrey and deliver her to Band Concert. 6:30 concert. After concert back to coliseum. 9pm pick up kids. Somewhere in there get a peppermint chiffon cake baked. Have great babysitter coming to help with twins so I can have her remove from oven if I have to.
Wednesday - Set up and clean up luncheon at preschool. 3p get boys, 4p get Audrey. 4:30 deliver Seussical kids. 6p Mass and Sacrament meeting for boys. 9pm pick up Seussical kids.
Thursday - 3p get boys, 4p get Audrey. 4:30 deliver Seussical kids. 6:15 get Audrey and various other Lee Choir girls from Seussical and take to Choir Concert. Return to coliseum when done. 9pm pick up Seussical Kids.
Friday - 7:30a twins to school, A&W to Coliseum. Hand at coliseum and help with usher 1900 area students in to see the first performance of Seussical the Musical. After...take kids to school or home. 3p get twins. 5:30 A&W to coliseum for 2nd show. 7:30 Show.
Saturday - 2:00 show and 7:30p show. Kids have to be there 2 hours ahead of time.
Sunday - Mass and 2:00p show. Following show - Strike (everybody helps tear down and clean up.) then Cast Party.
Return home and COLLAPSE! Get some rest and get ready for the last week of school before Christmas Break.
I needed to kid of have this all written down somewhere so I thought why not the blog.

It does A Body GOOD

2010-12-03T06:21:00.000-06:00

It does a body good to have your husband call and miss you. Last night he called and filled me in on everything going on in Downtown Vegas. And me missed me...Isn't that sweet? He will be home this evening.
There are several things going on in town this weekend but, I have a feeling we are going to do a lot of resting. He is going to be tired from the trip. I am having drainage and sore throat issues. That and I don't sleep well when he's not here. The kids, especially A&W, are exhausted from a busy week of rehearsals and school. There's enough catch up work for church and school that we need to get done that I think we can stay busy.
Enjoy your first weekend of December-the Second Week of Advent-and be safe.
xoxo Amy K

Minor Set Back in Amazingness

2010-12-01T23:02:00.000-06:00

Ok, in the last post I was all about all the amazing deals I got. The greatness of my family. Well....tonight I had a minor set back.
Let me start with my husband going off to Vegas yesterday with his buddy. Now he went with my full blessing. I can't get away right now and Tom really needs a break. He is having a great time and I am so happy.
This evening between shuttling kids, doing homework, preparing a prayer for tonights religious ed class I decided to try and wash a few dishes. NO....Hot....WATER. I call Tom who tells me to call his brother. Brother-in-Law (BIL) to the rescue. He helped get me all set up. I am so happy. And I am also very proud of myself for taking it in stride. We all have pot holes in our lives. It's how we deal with them. Now I drive the road of life at about 100mph sometimes. So when I hit one of these potholes I can often tend to treat it like a major bridge being out. I am trying to learn to take the jolt, deal with the neck and perhaps back pain and carry on. Look back at the hole. Is it the size of a baseball and I have turned it into a crater? Don't let the potholes in your life get you down. Don't drive a little coupe with wimpy tires. Outfit yourself with a God Mobil. Throw some big honking 4x4 tires on that thing and hit the road. A positive attitude and a relationship with your Creator can help so much.
Where did that come from? I don't know. Just felt like getting it out there and kind of liked the metaphor.
I'm tired and looking forward to a hot bath. Catch ya' later.

Blessed...Blessed....Blessed

2010-11-30T08:29:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving Weekend. How was yours? Mine was GREAT! We enjoyed the time away from school. A wonderful meal at my parent's home on the farm. It was just my little herd and my parents this year and that was fine with us. Stress free and all the kids sat at the BIG table with us. I have pictures but that will have to wait.
Black Friday! I LOVE BLACK FRIDAY!! It is one of the biggest social events of the year for me. (yes I am sad but, that's ok.) This year I hit the midnight Wal-Mart start. I decided I don't like the people who stay up late. They are kind of crabby and I think perhaps a few had a bit too much cheer with their holiday meals. I got in, got what I needed, avoided the crazy towel people, and got out with 3 gifts, a new crock pot, a new pair of jeans- all for less than $90. SCORE. JJ (my BFF since we were 4) met me at my house at 5:45a. I left her at Academy and I went to Michaels to grab a cricut for my mom. The corporate office messed with us. The ad had the cricut for doorbuster on Friday. But the company called the stores on Wednesday and told them to doorbuster everything on Thursday. The cricut was advertised for $69. They lowered it to $59. They were all gone from the floor when I got there. The manager said he might have some in back. Another lady and I sent him to the back. He had 2. SCORE! Shhhh...don't tell mom. Picked up a griddle at Target. JJ got all the deals she was looking for 2 hours after doors opened. I made pancakes on my new griddle Sunday morning. I didn't burn a single one. I was so very very happy. Then tried to find a place to store the sucker. Not so happy. It is still sitting on the counter waiting for a home.
We tackled the mall. All Joseph wants for Christmas is a Sonic hat. Not a cap with eyes or logo mind you. He wants the hood thing that ties under his chin and has the spikey hair things coming off it in all directions. Started looking on line for this thing. Found several on e-bay all going for upwards of $20. I bid on a few and lost. I remembered the word Game Stop was in the title of several listings. So we stopped in to the store in the mall. I asked the lady that I later learned is the manager. She said the hats were a promo that was given with the preorder of a game. But wait just a minute. She went to the back and came back with a hat. A leftover that was just there. She...Gave....It....To....ME! I was so very very happy! I hugged her and embarrassed JJ and Audrey (We had stopped by the house after lunch and grabbed the preteen.) I had a 40% off coupon for Meyers Drug downtown so I got myself the wireless doorbell. I have a big red square by my front door where my doorbell should be. Since my front door is red it doesn't stand out too bad. Now I am just waiting for some one to come by so I can hear Christmas tunes. Then after the season I can turn it to regular and have a doorbell again. SCORE.
Saturday was family day and I enjoyed spending time with Tom and the kids. Sunday my parents stopped by to measure my mailbox. I have despised the gray post office issue mailbox since we moved in 14 1/2 years ago. Daddy and William are going to make me a new one for Christmas. And Daddy has this pole thing he brought in to measure with my manger. For my Christmas decorations outside I put white lights on the tree and sit my empty manger under the tree by the front porch. But it just hasn't had enough light on it at night. So Daddy is going to rig this pole thing so I can put strings of light on it and highlight my manger better. Daddy made my manger too a few years ago.
Well, I just wanted to update and see who all is out there checking me out. If you are new to my blog please sign on as a follower or atleast leave a comment. If you are coming over from SanAngeloMoms.com WELCOME! I am so thrilled that Ami asked to spotlight me. Thanks!
Big Hugs and may you have a Blessed Advent Season. I'll be back soon. xoxo AmyK

October

2010-11-02T22:01:00.000-05:00

We have adjusted to being back in school. My working 5 days a week at the preschool is a tough adjustment for me. We decided to start James on an ADHD medicine. Many doctor appts and much prayer went behind this decision. He is doing so much better. There has been some adjusting to the dosage but things are going fairly smoothly.
Two weeks ago I attended the Women of Faith Conference in San Antonio. It was a fun inspirational weekend. This week, Thursday, I leave at 6am to catch a bus of school administrators and parents bound for Corpus Christi to attend the Parent Involvement Conference. I have never been. It sounds like fun and a really good conference.
Well there is much preparation still needed to be done and only a day left to get it all done.
Enjoy our slideshow of fun.
OH and check out the boys new smiles. They were too funny yesterday having their teeth pulled. James handled it very well. "It was cool. No big deal." Joseph didn't do as well. It sounded like they might not have numbed him. Then I find out the squawking was because he didn't want to have his teeth out. Didn't have anything to do with pain. He just didn't want his teeth pulled. But it was needed. His big teeth were coming in behind babies that weren't budging. They had to pull 4 so there would be some room. I guess because James was done before Joseph (They both went back at same time. We have a father son team of DDS we see.) Joseph was commenting "I don't want to be a twin any more!" He must have decided that because James had to have teeth pulled so did he. Is it sad to laugh at your son who is in obvious distress? I hugged and kissed, but I laughed too. He was just so funny. He's over it now and milking it for all it's worth. "I can't eat vegetables. I don't have any teeth." But tortilla chips don't seem to bother him. :)

This free digital slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Fall Fun

2010-10-18T17:13:00.000-05:00

Oh My Gosh! Have I really been so very bad about updating my blog? I can't believe it.
School is in full swing for the kids and myself at the preschool. Audrey is doing well at Middle School. She has had a Choir performance and today was placed/named/given/won I don't know how they say it. What I do know is she is 3rd Chair Trumpet for 6th Grade Band. And I know that that is Good.
William is loving anything and everything Science. Joseph is in love. He has a little friend that is the twinkle of his eye. He is really very funny but, knows he is way to young to be concerned with 'dating'. James has had a rough adjustment to 2nd grade. All this sitting and concentrating and paying attention is tough. We are exploring various avenues of help.
Audrey and William both tried out for Seussical the Musical and got parts. William is a member of Whoville and Audrey is in the Jungle of Noole. Performances will be the second week in December. We all love SABA (San Angelo Broadway Academy).
The twins have begun their studies for receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation in December and First Communion and Confirmation in May. I enjoyed the homework I did with William last year and look forward to the answers the twins have for some of the booklets we will have to do.
The weather is working on cooling off. We decided to have sandwiches by the river downtown Sunday and then took a little walk. I went prepared with camera and tripod. I think I got some good shots. You tell me. Enjoy.

Photo slideshow generated with Smilebox

PROGRESS

2010-08-21T09:19:00.003-05:00

I am making progress. Not as fast as I'd like. I still have the area around the tv and the wall with the bookcase left to texture. I got primer on the bookcase and it's amazing how big the wall looks now. I have alot of sanding to do and need to get the tv down and furniture covered to do that.
The light 'beige' color flopped. Tom didn't even really like it. So I went back and got a darker color. We don't really like it either. Tom said 'I thought you wanted something with a little green in it, like we saw in some books and open houses?' YEE! HAW! I have locked on to that and am running. I have the oakmoss in the office/study that we can use as a guide. I am very excited.
Audrey attended an orientation at her new school, Middle School, AAWWWW!!! I made Tom go along for registration. Hee...Hee... that was fun. The boys meet their teachers yesterday. We are very excited. Two teachers I have never had but, I know them well. James' teacher was Audrey's 3rd grade teacher and William's teacher last year for 2nd. We have a good relationship and I am excited to be working with her again.
I am a member of the Parent Teacher Organization Board. I am the Room Parent Chairman. I had sign up sheets in the teachers rooms yesterday and already saw several names on the list. BWAAA HAAAA HAAAA! I am reeling them in early. If you have participated as a room parent for you child's class or served as a chairman incharge of getting them all assigned and informed I welcome any hints/tips/suggestions.
Monday kids go back to school and I start in-service at preschool. I am looking forward to getting back in the groove.
Happy Back to School! Love ya'!

LIVING ROOM!!!!!

2010-08-13T16:24:00.004-05:00

This week I decided I am tired of this look......
And this.......

So I started adding texture to the wall. Just attacked it. Decided I couldn't possibly do that horrible of a job.

I did the area around the big windows and this wall between the living room and study/office. Not bad. With texture on the wall I couldn't control myself. And living less than a mile from Sherwin Williams doesn't help. I went over and purchased a 5.00 little bucket of paint. I have decided to compromise on the living room wall color and go with something light and well....the paint color actually has the word 'beige' in it. augh! And this picture makes the swatch I put on the wall look really terrible. It's not that bad and next to the extra white semi-gloss trim on the windows it looks pretty good. Once the ceiling is painted a cream color. White Ceilings Are Not ALLOWED! Well, not any more in my house. I have several that will be delt with in the future but from here on out no lids on the rooms. I will go one color lighter than this. I am thinking of going one color darker for that area inside the cubbie where the tv is. What do you think?

Here are the windows that I still love. They don't have any paint around them...yet. Just texture that atleast isn't all spotty looking and GROSS. and GRAY.

So now I'm off to finish off that little sliver area above the bar. Over the weekend I intend to have Tom help me take down the tv and clean out that cubby area and work on it. So. Away we go. By George this place has got to start looking more like a home and less like a construction zone.

On the Count Down......

2010-08-13T16:00:00.008-05:00

Things are rockin' along around here. We finished up Jungle Book and spent a week of recovering/being lazy/swimming etc...... Last week we got movin' a little bit more. Audrey attended 3 mornings of the week at her Ballet Academy for a summer intensive course. It really helped her out. She will have two weeks off now til classes start again. My Mom spent several weeks in VA with my sister helping her get her new house put together. Mom brought my nephew home so we spent alot of time with them. We took a trip to Abilene Zoo.

Me and my Zoo Animals.

Last Friday I lost my mind for awhile. When I got it back we discovered that my body had taken the boys out to a friends place and brought home these three little darlings.
Itty Bitty, Angel, and Baghera

We are happy that Daddy is a kitty person. Ofcourse it was him that called and said Jack was ready to give away the last of what was hangin' around his place. And it's not like Tom didn't remind me weekly that Jack had kittens.

JUNGLE BOOK!!!

2010-08-02T11:02:00.001-05:00

Jungle Book is over....:( Kind of a happy sad moment. Don't know that the boys could have handled another show. But we sure are going to miss all our SABA (San Angelo Broadway Academy) friends.

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Summer Wind Down.

2010-07-26T11:51:00.002-05:00

I am really not ready for school to start. We have had a pretty lazy summer and I am liking it. The boys have been busy with Jungle Book since the 12th of July. This week they are going from 9a-4p M-TH in preparation for the show opening Friday night. They will have a run through Friday morning and then stage call at 5p. They are loving it.
Audrey has been spending time with family and friends. She has worked at the preschool some too. She will start ballet intensive next week. I got my Laundry room cleaned up. whoo! hoo! I am goingto do something amazing and grand in the living room before school starts. I swear I am. I just have to suck it up and get to it. I'm gonna do it....really I am..... I hate the prep. If I could come in and everything is cleaned out and plastic hung and my supplies all at my finger tips that would be grand. But, I'm gonna do it....really I am...
I currently have some projects for work and the boys elementary school parent organization that I need to work on. Those meetings are starting to get under way and all that wonderful 'stuff' I was going to work on is now due.
Tom has the new computer working really well. It's getting info from the old to the new that's the hang up. Rebuilding my e-mail list is a pain. The old computer is officially out and I know I have a printed copy...somewhere?????
So it goes. Well, I'm off to see what kind of amazing documents I can create. Summer countdown is upon us. Enjoy what is left.

GIRL WEEKEND!!!*******Retreat!

2010-07-14T15:30:00.006-05:00

This past weekend My friends Michealle and JJ came over and we took off for Kyle Texas near Austin. We stayed two night at the home of our friend Dina. We have all been friends since 7th Grade. Time/Family/Distance had taken over and we kept intouch but not real close. Thanks to FaceBook and us all turning 40, we have been in real close contact and keeping up with each other. It's wonderful. It was really a Retreat for us. We are already hoping to get together in November and then again next Summer. Michealle - blonde, had us gathering for pictures all weekend. It was fun. For a short thing she has long arms. We had Dina's son take photos of us too. He did a really good job. This is Michealle's long arm photo. she can get us all in.

2010-07-03T11:33:00.004-05:00

Therese at The Musings of a Mom, host Friday Flashback. This week is messy kids.

I think these pictures qualify. James(green shirt) and Joseph(red) find the water hose.

September 2005, twins are 2 1/2 yrs old.

Birthdays

2010-07-02T09:46:00.003-05:00

William had his 9th birthday on the 15th. Audrey had her 11th birthday on the 30th. They each had sleepovers afterwards. William with the two extra boys. Audrey with 6 extra girls. I'm tired....I'm really really tired...... :)
Getting ready today for Tom's sister. She will be coming in this evening for a visit.
I am going to work on getting some pictures uploaded and have some soon.
Tom finally had his last fight with the computer and ordered a new one. YEA!!!! I be most happy. I'm looking forward to faster, better, and best of all not locking up every 10 minutes.
Well. I best get moving.

Week Review

2010-06-18T09:10:00.002-05:00

Tuesday the kids and I started our two weeks at Camp St. Luke. The preschool I work at has a Tues/Thurs program in June and July for 18months - 5th grade. There aren't enough older kids signed up to warrent having an adult floater. There are extra big big kids around to help with the smaller ones. That is good. My co-floater has been working in what I fondly call 'Baby World'. 18months - 2 1/2 year olds. They are great but 20 0f them is hard. The two teachers we have there are really good too. So the boys went to classes and Audrey and I went to Baby World. Audrey has loved it. I've been working my tail off in the kitchen/feeding area. We were there this week and next week while Elizabeth-my co-floater, is off visiting family.
Tuesday William celebrated his 9th birthday party at the pool. After the party William and two friends came to the house. Audrey begged a night over at the neighbors and the twins went to the farm. And Dude...the three boys had the house and room to themselves. Dude. That's great, Dude. And Dude....if I hear the word Dude that much again I will like totally roll over Dude. Then Wednesday we took JJ's son home to their house in the country. William hung out with them while Audrey and I picked up the twins at the farm. Then we went back to JJ's for fun and visiting. It was so very nice. Yesterday was another day in Baby World and then a funeral. The Memorial Service for Wendy was very very nice. She touched many many lives and I was glad to be one of them. I picked up and sat with my new friend Abbie. I am so excited to have her down the street from me. And am glad I was there with her during the service. She was one of the ladies at the game and later at the hospital with Wendy. After the sevice several of the Santa Rita(our elementary school) gals went to a local place for drinks and pizza. My wonderful, amazing, totally in budget mode and not paying attention to the world around him Husband completely forgot what I was doing yesterday evening and when I called to tell him I was going with the girls and asked if he could go home and relieve mom he says 'yea. i'll be home soon. ok.' and stupid me takes that as he'll be going home and all is well. Thankfully i called mom and hour later to learn that Tom hadn't showed up and so i left Abbie in the hands of other friends and went home to let my Mom go. I had promised the kids a trip to the pool so we went out and were there til 8:30 last night. very nice. Today it is hustle it up and get this house back in order. The chore chart for the summer has been working nice but slacked terribly this week. Toy Story 3 starting today is great leverage. Joseph has been reminding me alllll week that Toy Story 3 starts on Friday. I am barely in the kitchen this morning when he starts reminding me.
Well. I better get off the computer and get them moving. Big Hugs.
I love you all. Where ever you are. Remember that today is a gift not a guarantee. Thank God for all your Blessings.
xoxo Amy

Heavy Hearts.

2010-06-13T09:22:00.002-05:00

This weekend my friends and neighbors have been mourning the loss of a friend. Wendy Whitehead, a 39 year old mother of two girls ages 9 & 6 was killed by a foul ball at a baseball game. We have a city baseball team the Colts. Wendy and her husband had just gotten to the game and had been there about 15 minutes. A foul ball came across the stands at the 3rd base line and struck Wendy in the head. She was declared brain dead at the hospital. Those close to her, her family, the spectators at the game, the players, the town, are all shaken by this.
Wendy was the president of our parent organization at the elementary school, this past year. She is active in fund raisers for various organizations. She was a fun out going person.
She was an organ donor. It is nice to know that many families will be touched by her death.
So. Remember to sign that organ donor card. Hug your loved ones and remember to enjoy every day, every moment.

Summer

2010-06-10T09:15:00.003-05:00

We are enjoying our Summer. The kids are embracing their chore chart and getting better at it every day. Audrey's room is finally livable again. She still has drawers and bookselves to sort but she's plugging along.
This is birthday month for both Audrey and William. William will turn 9 next Tuesday. We have the party planned for the pool. Tables are reserved and cookie cake ordered.
Audrey spent time with my Mom the last two days. She learned how to crochet and sewed a new top. I was really impressed. Once Audrey learns some basics hopefully I can step in and help. My patience level goes to zero sometimes when trying to teach things like that to her. Me being left handed and her right doesn't help either.
I finished an apron for my c0-worker. I had received an apron with my name embroidered on it from my secret pal at work. Elizabeth was so jealous. The apron is a full apron and easy peasy to cut a pattern from. So I did and made one for her. She was thrilled. She was working in the baby room at the preschool summer camp and had her hands full. I took my camera in but in the chaos forgot to get a picture of her in it. I have enough material to make another one so I will make one for me and then get a pic of us together in our aprons.
She will be going to Louisiana the last part of summer camp so I will take over for her next week. The preschool I work at has a summer camp on Tues and Thurs in June and July. The little extra $$ will sure help. Medical bills, car repairs and new tires, groceries....augh are eating my lunch. Add planning two birthday parties into the mix and the belt tightens even more.
Well. It has become very quiet around here. I best find out what the little helpers are up to. Not up to. I think they still have a few chores to finish before they can 'rest'. I'm such a slave driver. :)

Summer! Let it BEGIN!!!!

2010-06-02T09:47:00.002-05:00

Summer got off to a little rocky start. I had radiator trouble in San Antonio with the Girl Scout Troop. Thanks to our Leader's Husband, Troop Dad and the friends of a fellow mom on the trip we got a tow and a new radiator by 8p that night. Thought we might have to wait til Tuesday to get a radiator even ordered! Thanks to Justice, the friend, being a go getter and not giving up he found a place that took care of me and were open on Sunday for us to pick up the truck after our sleepover at SeaWorld. We had a great time. Audrey left our little camera in the car so we have to wait to get a disk from a friend before I can upload pictures.
I made a chore chart for the kids and a daily schedule to keep them in line. It gives time for pool and reading and fun and chores. THey did real well yesterday and are getting at it today.
Thanks to Cynthia at Accomplished Woman - click on side bar button- Audrey and William have decided on themes for their swim party birthdays. They want to have a small type of candy bar so we have found some candies and i will make their cakes this year to help with the cost.
Well have been a bit too relaxed and sidetracked this morning. Better get after it.
xoxo Amy

2010-05-28T16:25:00.002-05:00

Well here it is. The final day of Elementary School for Audrey. I handled it pretty well. I kept busy and then stood with all 3 of my boys to slap hands with the 5th graders leaving school. The whole school lines the hall and the 5th grade parades through and out the front doors. Really cool tradition. Seeing Audrey and her friend Cassidy crying was tough. I was so busy videoing I didn't get pictures of that. :(. They were the first class to walk the newly remodeled hall.

This photo slideshow made with Smilebox

The Life of the Herd!

2010-05-27T18:03:00.002-05:00

Oh My! Oh My! The quick version of what we've been up to: My BFF's 40th b-day, baseball, ballet, theatre classes, girl scouts, end of year at preschool, 5th grade graduation, t-shirt quilt, field trips, hair cuts, William Confirmation/First Communion, Church Festival, school dance, and some where in there feed the family and be sure they have clean clothes. Have I ever mentioned I hate laundry.

Longer Version. My BFF for the past 36 years turned 40 on Friday the 14th of May. I started celebrating on Monday. A couple of other teachers at the preschool where we both work, helped me decorate her room. I had all kinds of different 'prank' type gifts to leave in her room on various days. I baked her the Orange Marmalade Cake from the Father Tim-Midford Series Books. It was delic' if I say so myself. We had a bang up good time that evening at the same place I had my party. I gathered money from friends and family of hers and purchased a kindle for her. (one of those electronic pad things that you upload books to.) She loves...loves...loves to read and wanted one so bad she couldn't see straight. We have enough trouble with our eyes as it is so I wanted to help her to start seeing straighter. :) I collected enough to get the kindle, a case for it and $40.00 extra for her to upload books with. The next morning we had rehearsal for Peter Pan (see smilebox below) all 4 kids participated in the ballet that evening. I volunteered to help put together the flower tributes that the academy sells. I had 3 dozen 3rose bouquets and 2 dozen 4stem orchid bouquets in my house for a couple of days. I put together little flower arrangements in school mugs for the kids' teachers. End of school at preschool included a Water Day. After that day Water Day moved to the top of the list of my least favorite days at preschool. I was pooped. William had a small end of year play for his theatre class and J&J had a small play for the end of their class too. They were all so cute. We have had baseball games almost twice a week. We attended the SABA(San Angelo Broadway Academy-the studio the boys attend) production of FAME. Amazing!! Boys are all signed up to part of the cast for Jungle Book in July. Audrey had an end of year dinner for her Girl Scout Troop. We will be leaving at 9am this Saturday for an overnight sleepover at Sea World in San Antonio. I am really excited about that. She also had end of year performance awards at the Ballet Academy. The twins have been studying birds the last two weeks of school. James' teacher is an avid bird watcher. The boys have really gotten into it. In a small town nearby there is a ranch that has several different birds that migrate through. Namely humming birds. They had a field trip there this week. They also visited the state park and had a pizza party in another town park. Lots and lots of fun. Audrey made a catapult for a project in her class. They had a water balloon fight yesterday at school. We have a wonderful little park near a small creek right next to the school. You might have seen pics from the boys boat float. Graduation will be there tomorrow morning. There was a dance today with black lights and neon. OH! And the QUILT! How could I forget. Mom helped me get them cut out and started. I took 15 of Audrey's school shirts and made them into a quilt. It turned out pretty good. I wish I had started earlier and made a 'test' quilt first. But I figure this way she'll always know it was made by her quirky/lopsided Mom. Well time to feed the family and get some clothes folded. Hoping to get to the blog world more this summer. I really do like having my memories/thoughts here. Big Hugs.

Pictures! Finally!!

2010-05-27T17:31:00.002-05:00

Well. How dense am I. Goes to show it's been too long since I've posted a smilebox to the blog. Tried to post these two when I made them two weeks ago. Couldn't make it work. The paste button didn't show up. augh....Today finally noticed I needed to be in edit html and not compose. again...augh~!~
The ballet was beautiful. The auditorium at the college became unavailable for us. The director of the Academy had to scurry to find a location. We were given the pavillion downtown. The city wasn't able to provide a stage because they were all spoken for. No matter. Our girls made the best of it and were BEAUTIFUL. Audrey danced like an angel. She was Rosetta the fairy. I was crying like a baby when she danced. Then when all the girls in her age group (5) danced and were in sequence with each other. Boo...Hoo... came the tears again. Our Peter Pan is a Senior. I was afraid we were loosing her. Not entirely. She is going to college here and will still be around. Enjoy the pics.

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Fun Things going on at Elementary School

2010-05-27T17:23:00.000-05:00

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OH! MY GOODNESS!

2010-04-21T14:43:00.004-05:00

In the spirit of sharing our "Really!?! I can't believe I did that." events I have a very funny funny to share. Well maybe not so much funny as. EEwwwwwww GROSS!
I have apparently fallen under the curse of the Kerr Twins and am unable to shake it. The big twins (Tom and his twin Tim) for years called their mom Batty. I told them they drove her to it. Then I got a set of my own and stand firmly behind that belief.
Ok. The last couple of days I have noticed a very unpleasant smell in the cabinet where I keep pots/pans/bowls/casserole dishes etc..... I tried spraying some febreeze around and praying the smell away. That didn't work. So Monday I was on my hands and knees with the flashlight looking around in the cabinets. 'Please....Please...Please....don't let me find a dead rodent....Please. Please. Please.' Nothing. I febreezed again and prayed. This afternoon I was putting away dishes and got landblasted by the smell again! OK. There has to be something causing this. I grab the flashlight and hit my knees. 'Please...Please...Please don't let it be something dead....please...please...please...' OH Geeze! It's coming from that pot. I pull the pot out. It is a large cast iron pot with the lid on. "Please...Please....Please....don't let it be a dead rodent.' OH....MY......GOD! It's leftovers! Apparently I had some leftover stew in this pot and had put the lid on it to......put it in the fridge? wait for it to cool off? I don't know!?! But apparently I thought it was clean and good and wonderful and stuck it in the cabinet to ferment. AUGH!!!AUGH!!!AUGH!! Gross! Gross! Gross! I really love this pot but am seriously considering parting ways. I think I'll wait til the boys get home and let them take it outside and hose it out. Then bleach the daylights out of it.
So why do I say this has anything to do with the Curse of the Kerr Twins? Well. Once when Tom was staying with his parents (back when we were dating so like 14-15 years ago) he went into the kitchen. Came across a smell in the kitchen. Opened a sour cream container and was knocked out by the smell. Bless her heart Rosella had put a closed container of shrimp tails in the cabinet. Again ..... probably cleaning up after a meal. put the lid on the tails so to contain the smell (hee..hee..) then forgot what was in the bowl and stuck it in the cabinet.
Batty I tell ya! They are driving me Batty!
Do you have a story like this? Have you ever found something where it wasn't suppose to be? Meat left in the trunk of the car? icecream in the pantry?

LIFE

2010-04-14T13:15:00.000-05:00

Oh my. I can't believe I have neglected my blog. I was waiting to upload pictures. Now our computer is all messed up. I am currently hanging out with the 3yr olds at preschool. It started raining this afternoon its very nice. The boys have started machine pitch baseball. William has had a couple of hits. And last night joseph got his first hit. He was so excited. Gotta go. Rebelion starting.

SPRING BREAK!!

2010-03-16T08:57:00.003-05:00

It's Spring Break! Cha Cha Cha!! It's Spring Break! Cha Cha Cha!!
Saturday and Sunday were fun. We were lazy and enjoyed time outside. Sunday afternoon James and I got a new clipper and cut the little sapling twigs on the pecans in the backyard. I was using a short ladder and didn't get up very high. I'm going to try and get myself back out there later this week. They really bother me and I don't want to pay someone to come do them. Tom can but I'm reserving his shoulder for inside work. :)
We then went to the lake with the kids and had fun just walking and talking. William was almost livid about the trash in the lake. Audrey's right. If he keeps this obsession up we might have a good TRYS project for him. Texas...R....Youth..Scholars.... That's about all I know. Kids do research, organize projects, for things that better their community and world. They enter contest and can advance to state level.
We came home then and had hotdogs on the grill. If we'd been together better we'd have taken charcoal and the stuff with us and ate at the lake. I love the weather right now. NO FLIES!
Yesterday was very cloudy and then it started raining after lunch. The kids worked in their rooms. I got the boys room straightened up and all their clothes gone through. I can't believe how much they have grown.
They also spent alot of time on the Wii. The twins got Wii Mario Bro and Wii Lego Batman for their birthday. Oh My Gosh. All 4 of them are making me nuts with this thing. They either get along great and help each other out or get mad as hornets because of something the other one did. Augh!
Today is Audrey's room and I am procrastinating like crazy.
I also intend to get the laundry room closet cleaned out and the kitchen cabinets.
Oh. I did clean out my drawers and closet. I still have the hanging clothes to deal with. Tom told me to get ruthless and get rid of stuff. I be thinking he needs to get pretty ruthless himself but that's another story. ::snort::
Well off to get some other computer work done and then to tackle Audrey's room. I be thinkin' I need another giant cup or two of coffee first. :)
Happy Spring Break!

Celebrating 40!!

2010-03-07T22:51:00.003-06:00

I have just had an awesome 40th Birthday Weekend. Friday I was loved at my school. 'The Pod' (4 teachers of 2 & 3 year olds) gave me a basket of martini glasses, a shaker, and appletini mix. I got a decorative glass and cosmo mix from my secret sister. I received many hugs from little bodies. A sweet card from the 2 year olds of all their hand prints. My mom helped me prepare the few finger food items I had. We had Pioneer Woman pico de gallo, guacomoli(sp) and Sangria. To my PW friends if you haven't had an opportunity to try these recipes fine one. I was so worried about being stuck with this huge bowl of Sangria and ferminting fruit. Didn't happen they drank it all. It was sooooo good. My appletinis were a hit as well. I had tons of friends show up and bring their husbands. We had so much fun. Tom and I enjoyed staying at the suite. Saturday morning we attended the last 2 basketball games for the season. Then ate lunch with the kids and my parents. The boys went to the farm to finish out the weekend and Audrey went to Tom's brother's house. That evening Beth took Audrey to a slumber party and picked her up this morning. Tom and I visited the shops downtown around the Inn. Ate at a new restaurant in town. Back to the Inn to enjoy sitting on our porch and listening to music. Then off dancing. I love the StageCoach Saloon and Dance Hall. It has had a little name change. Well it may have been called this for awhile I just hadn't noticed. It's always been called the Old Coach. The music is always great and most always easy to dance to. What we don't dance to we watch and that's always fun too.
We had lunch today at Olive Garden and a little shopping at Dillards. I went in for jeans came out with a big bag of clothes but....no jeans. Tom once again found things that looked better on me than I thought they would. The kids came home. Played some Wii, finished up a few projects for Young Scholars day at school this Friday. Then we went to the park for some baseball practicing. Ran into the neighbors and enjoyed some fun with the boys.
Now it's 11p and back to the real world tomorrow. Best cash it in. Enjoy the slide show.
Thanks JJ for taking the camera once again and getting some good pics to remember the evening by.

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Twins Party

2010-03-07T21:06:00.002-06:00

Ok. The twins turned 7 onFebruary 25. I didn't realize I didn't get their birthday smilebox posted. They were way too cute. Their party was on Sunday the 28th. We had a blast at the rollerskate rink. Matt and Sherry the owners are great. There is skating, lazer tag, snack bar, games...and outside is miniature golf and go carts. We stuck to skating and lazer tag for the party. We booked the whole place just for the party, you can do that for a price. I justify it by the fact we have two parties at once. Everyone had a great time.
Yes that is William on the 'cover' of the slideshow. There are still things about smilebox I'm learning.

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Rodeos and Concussions (mild)

2010-02-26T18:02:00.004-06:00

Today in West Texas we got out of school an hour and a half earlier for Rodeo Day! Today was also AR party. Since James sustained a Mild Concussion on Wednesday while attempting to jump over, slipped on, or stood on a ball. Tom and I decided a roller skating party probably wasn't the best idea. So I picked him up this morning after Spelling test and took him to my preschool. He helped put out 100 chairs for the audience. Then we painted his face and he helped with props during the preschool rodeo. He was AWESOME~!~ if I do say so myself. He really did a good job. He had fun with out hamming it up too much or getting in the way. He was actual honest help. I was very proud. ::beam:: ::beam::
See slide show below then below that is the concussion story.

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Wednesday morning I am working on preschool snacks while also covering for the director who is running late. Cell phone rings. James slipped on a ball in the gym. Hit head Hard. Pupils look fine but he wants to lay down. I call doctors decide to take him to pedi. School nurse calls back. He has thrown up. Pedi says take to ER. ER does CT scan. Which comes back negative for blood or major damage. James barfs again when he goes to sit up in ER room. Doc calls it Mild Concussion. Be careful. Watch him. Here's a list of things to look for. Oh and wake him every 2 hours during the night and question him. James and I are at Sonic grabbing a soda. I call school to give report. To find out Joseph had an accident in his pants and Nurse Tiffany cleaned him up and my DAD is coming in from Miles (30 miles away where my family lives) to take him home for clean britches. Joseph none too happy when Daddy takes him back to school. he tells aide in after school waiting room "My Mom. Left me here." He had wanted me to come back and get him. The whole waking up thing was fun. It was also Wednesday so we had church classes that night and you know that Wednesdays are Appletini night. So Tom took the first few wake ups. I took the 3am. It was funny. He never got really mad just grunted out his answers to our questions.
Ok. On our way out the door. Long day of rodeo and I won't even go through the whole taking the kids to Wal-Mart to spend their 5.00 gift cards from Valentine's Day. If you've read more than one post here you can probably make up your own story and be pretty close to the truth. Be sure to add Joseph dropping his card in a crack by the register when we finally made it to a register. :)
Big Hugs. Have a Great Weekend!

Ok. So I am about to turn 40 so give me a break. I didn't realize I had already posted about the concussion. So have fun comparing the stories and see if they are the same. :)

Happy Birthday Snoot and Snot!

2010-02-25T16:31:00.003-06:00

Oh My! Oh My! 7 years ago today I had an OB appointment and this was the one where Dr. H said well....you've started dilating and we're going in. I was at 36 weeks but not real worried. She had me on bed rest since the beginning of January. I was in and out of the hospital most of February. I had received a couple of hormone shots in January to help with lung development. So on the 25th of February 2003 I was sent over to the hospital. Prepped and delivered twin boys via c-section that evening about 9pm. We had been watching twin A for kidney difficulties. He came out perfect and we watched the kidney for almost a year. Feb 11, 2004 he did have surgery in San Antonio to relocate a valve. Good as new. Twin B (James) had severally crooked feet but thanks to great rehab and a wonderful Pedi ortho doc in San Antonio we got him all fixed up. Fixed up so well that yesterday James thought he could stand on a ball in PE. No he could not. He fell straight back on the concrete floor. Coach didn't see incident but when James came up and was crying he realized something was definitely not right. The school nurse is only at our school on Wednesdays. She checked his pupils. They appeared fine. Then he wanted to go to sleep. She called me. I was calling doctors to see what we should do. Then James started throwing up. Decision made. Go to ER. CT scan came back clear. Doc called it a Mild Concussion and to take it easy and avoid activity for a few days. We had to wake James every 2 hours last night. He never got really mad but grunted his answers. Today had a great day at school. Been having trouble with writing but today happily wrote 4 sentences and had nice handwriting. Perhaps that brain rattle helped. (ooohhhh bad joke. I know.) Yesterday he wanted to jump on trampoline. NO! Why not? I think your brain has been rattled enough for one day. He leans out back door Joseph! I can't jump with you. I have rattles in my brain. HA! Too funny.
They have noticed the birthday postings on the local news and commented Monday that on Thursday their names would be on there. Good thing I got on my toes. Their names appeared and now they are stars!
Yes those are my living room walls. No I haven't gotten any farther. No not sure that I ever will. Think I might wait til Mrs. Cynthia is back on her feet then bring her and some of my good bloggies in to finish it for me. Gee don't you wish airfare was like 20 bucks and you could just fly to a far off friend or bring them to you when you needed too. Or maybe Beam them over. Now that would be 'awesome'.
Ok I be thinking that I have too good of a day. My mom was here at 9:30a to take me shopping for my birthday, next Friday. We then ate lunch with my Daddy who is celebrating his birthday today too. Cool huh? Then we shopped some more. I got a cute sweater to wear to my birthday party. And several other items. My Mommy loves me. And I love her TOO!
But now it's time to get Audrey to clean up the owl barf off the bar. eewwwww.....She brought home owl pelts that they poked through in Science today at school. Thank goodness Science teacher Grandma was here to oh and ah with her. because all I want to do is barf!
Love and Hugs! Amy

Snow Day!

2010-02-23T20:20:00.002-06:00

We had a wonderful day. Our school district NEVER cancels school. They have had a couple of delays but it's been a long time since we've had a cancel. Today we did. We had a fun day. These are the best snowmen we've ever made. I was so proud of us. James was a trooper. He'd get really red faced but was determined to have a village of men.
I enjoyed walking down to the neighbors. Well the walk home was really fun. The snow had started falling heavy again. It was really neat. Tom said the parks around town were really pretty and peaceful looking. I was just too big of a chicken to get out driving. I've seen too many people slide and slip. And after the rain storm a few weeks ago when a car pushed a truck into me I'm a bit more jittery.
Oh. And no Joseph doesn't stick his tongue to a pole. It's a t-pole his tongue is just behind it. YOu'll see. Enjoy.

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Life is Good

2010-02-22T21:09:00.002-06:00

Friday I attended an afternoon school performance of Deep in the Heart, presented by San Angelo Broadway Academy. These kids are so totally awesome. I love them all. Then Friday night Mom and I took Audrey and William to the play Once Upon a Mattress. GG (we have decided to us GG instead of OMG. Audrey says that it means Oh My Goodness but we told her not everybody understands it that way. We decided to go with GG- Golly Gee!) So, GG, that was one great performance. Several kids from SABA were in the performance. And then William saw several of the big kids in the audience. They way they smile at him, hug him, call him out by name thrills me to my soul. The girl who played the queen was Belle in Beauty and the Beast last summer. She sees us after the show. Calls out William's name and opens her arm for him to come hug him. I LOVE THESE KIDS! I love the positive encouraging role models they are. Ok. I'm done, for now.
Nice Saturday. We enjoyed visiting the fairgrounds at the rodeo. I waited too late to consider going to a rodeo performance. The only tickets available at times we could attend were in the rafters. No thanks. The weather was wonderful.
Sunday afternoon was Thinking Day for Girl Scouts. Troops set up booths representing different countries. Our troop chose France this year. The girls did an awesome job.
Today was back to school. James brought home his conduct grade from last week. S+. Yippie!!! That is the best. No strips pulled all week. William had basketball practice, Audrey worked on a school report with a friend, Tom picks up William, I get Audrey and take her to the International Dinner. Girl Scouts again. She got to hold the 5? 6? week old daughter of a friend. She was thrilled. And Allyson being such a sweetie pie made it oh so much sweeter for her. Then on the way home she berated me for not having friends with babies that lived closer by. She says "Why do all your friends with babies have to live in like China?" I informed her that Nikki and her China babies and her new baby, Gabriel, live in Ohio. Baby Joseph is in Australia, Baby Alex is in Wisconsin. Still too far. But I did remind her that a friend of hers just had a baby girl. A girl(lady. married with 2 girls already) who is in ballet with Audrey had a baby girl. I'm sure Emily will bring the baby by for some ballet lovin'.
Well, Tom is recording Ice Dancing for me so I best go visit with him. Kids are all tucked in bed with visions of snow and delayed school in their dreams. We had sun and highs approaching the 70's this weekend. Today was high around 41. Tonight in the 20's with a chance of 2-4 inches of snow. :) One of my favorite lines from Deep in the Heart ( A play about Texas) is "I hate it when people say they don't like Texas because we don't have 'seasons'. Shoot, just last Tuesday we had 3."!! Could that be any truer?

Party Quickly Approaching

2010-02-19T16:10:00.002-06:00

Check out my way cute Party Invites. We are going to have tons of fun. Audrey helped. Sometimes making glitter cherries isn't as easy as it looks.
Big thanks to my bloggy friend Cynthia. Because of her amazing blog I was inspired to add a little bling to my invite. Then when I couldn't find a black martini glass she came to my rescue. I love to say "I got my martini glass cut outs special order from Tennessee." I love Cynthia and I love her Crick-It. Two more weeks. Big party at Sealy Flats downtown, 6:30. Come join us.

My Little Discovery!

2010-02-18T13:50:00.003-06:00

Last week the kids took flowers to their teachers for Valentine's Day.

I love to get bunches at the store and put together my own 'creations'. I took a couple of stems of dogwood blooms(the purple ones. They are dogwood right?::shrug::) And two white gerbers. I tied a piece of white tolle(sp)(you know that tight net stuff you can get on a roll).

When I had the 4 done I put them in a vase together. I thought they looked really nice. What a fun way to make an arrangement.

Ta Dum! My little contribution to the crafty world of bloggers. Thank you...Thank you....Thank you very much. And to those of you who have been making arrangements like this for years well good for you. But I'm sure I gave you the idea sublimimbuly(no I did not pass spelling in school. :))

Daddy/Daughter

2010-02-18T13:42:00.003-06:00

Last Monday Audrey and her Daddy attended the Daddy Daughter Dance. They both had a good time. I am so glad. I let Audrey go a bit all out this year.

Mario & Luigi

2010-02-18T13:36:00.002-06:00

In just 7 days Mario and Luigi will turn 7. So hard to believe they are getting so big. Working at the preschool I still think this is my boys. Then I see one of my boys stand next to one of my 'babies' from school and am blown away at how big they are. I had a rough evening yesterday. Had to deal with some emotions running crazy through me. Getting over it today. Doing lots lots better thanks to amazing friends, oh and Tom was a little help too. :)

Working on getting over my sinus infection and that will help. Lent has started and I am eager to really work on myself. Examine my relationship with my Savior and get my act together. Spring is in the air. Bring it ON!

Need some Lovin'

2010-02-17T20:20:00.002-06:00

I don't really want to be at this computer forever. I am just feelin' a need for some love. I need a chance to cry on a few dozen shoulders. I hate that I lack the ability to truly stand up. I hate that I lack the ability to stand up for my kids. I hate that I'm all talk and show and little miss know it all until it really counts and then I mutter under my breath and slink off. I hate that I am having a terrible time trying to communicate with my daughter right now. I hate that I am sitting here whinning and feeling bad about myself. I just really need to get it out so I can attempt to focus on some positive.
Today is Ash Wednesday. I miss Forrest like crazy from Valentine's Day all the way til Easter. He was a very dear friend. A Franciscan Priest I meet while in High School. He has been gone for almost 13 years. He was always in my neck of the woods during Lent. Even if he was in the town and hour plus away he'd make a trip to Angelo to have lunch with me at his favorite italian restaurant. Ok back to Ash Wednesday. Lent has begun. I know many of us struggle with what to give up. What to sacrific. What to change. What to improve. I want to give up all the crap in my life and become a new holy amazing wife and mother in 40 days. Ready. Set. Go! Yeah. We all know where this goes in about two weeks. I couldn't even keep the whole no eating between meals rule today. Out of habit I sat down and was eating cheeze it crackers with two year olds before I remembered. The biggest goal of Lent is to strenghthen our relationship with our God and Savior. That is what I am going to do. It may be something different each day. One day a sacrifice the next day a good deed. But every day I am going to work to be proud of me. Proud of my kids. Proud of my family. God has given me these kids and put me in this place for a reason. I have fallen away from the Sit Down, Shut Up, and Listen. I tend to go full throttle in my own direction and then wonder why I have run out of gas, lost my map, and ended up in the middle of nowhere. Time to Sit down, Shut up, Look Up, and Listen.
I'm sure this post looks like a rambling and probably makes no sense. But JJ and I have this code. We can call each other and say "Need to talk. You listen." It doesn't matter what the other says. The one listening isn't required to comment, agree, or even understand. Just let the caller rant/cry/scream/laugh.....The listeners job is to listen and love. Since most of this emotion is over flowing and can't be controlled and dinner was being cooked and kids now have to go to bed I felt a desire to type it out.
Thank you my friends.
xoxo
Amy

We are Mothers! We are Wives! We are followers!

2010-01-28T08:50:00.002-06:00

My friend Therese had a post about feeling broken. She had many responses from moms feeling so very much the same way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0

Check out this video given by a speaker at a Women of Faith Conference. When you are feeling unappreciated and broken......remember why we are here. Who we are here for.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!

Quickie!

2010-01-23T09:09:00.003-06:00

I love my job. Not alot of stress and pretty darn perfect for a High I personality who requires a fair bit of appreciation and petting. I truly do enjoy helping with craft projects, making copies, watching the kids, talking to parents, even schleping cheeseballs and apple juice. Not real crazy about cleaning up barf, pooh, and runny noses but we have to keep things in perspective. :)
Audrey working on Child Care Girl Scout badge this morning. 3 little boys - 2 of which are from my school and I am thrilled to have them coming over, are coming to do fun things with Audrey and her friend Gabi.
William and Tom at basketball game. J&J attempting to work together to conquer the world of Star Wars Wii. Their game is at 2pm today. There is a light rain falling and all I want to do is curl up with my crochet. The boys have realized it is raining and they won't be able to go out and continue to drag boards into the tree.
Girl Scout cookies are taking over my office area and I have already eaten more than my yearly allowance.
Well kids will be here soon and I should still get a few things done.
HUGS!
Amy

Loads of FUN!

2010-01-17T19:16:00.002-06:00

Wow! We've been busy. Audrey is working on a child care badge in Girl Scouts. She is so excited about it she's making me nuts! Thursday while helping her and her friend start their outline the boys were outside building a fort. See slideshow.
Friday we had a very nice slow rain alllll day. Saturday boys had basketball pictures before their games. William's game was first. I didn't get to see all of it because Audrey and I had to leave to help pick up the troops girl scout cookies and deliver them to her house. Then Audrey rode with the leader to the mall for a fun cookie kick off event. Mom & Dad were in town and picked her up for me. Tom and I got my BIL's truck and picked up our new entertainment console and ottoman. Returned truck and made it back to the gym in time for J&J's pictures and game. After our crazy whirl wind day we ate out at Chili's. Gotta love that Beer on Draft. awww.....
This morning we were all up early and decided to attend 9am Mass. Walter, one of our two Deacons in Training(I know they have a more formal name but I like Deacon in training or Deacon Wanna be.) He delivered the Homily this morning and was amazing! I'm even more excited in the fact that he and Freddy (the other deacon wanna be) borrowed my video camera to record their homilies. So now I have it on DVD too. Can't wait til Freddy's turn next week. These guys are so wonderful. We are very blessed to have them in our Parish family.
Audrey was picked up by her Aunt and little cousin Katelyn. She is spending the night with them. The boys had fun playing in the box from the entertainment center. see slide show. Tom got all the 'boxes' hooked up and set up in the new center. The only thing that would have made the day better is if the Cowboys had won. :( Tomorrow schools are closed for MLK day. Tom is off work as well. We are most happy. The weather is to be beautiful for the week. So we are back to knuckling down on the remodel. Wish us luck!

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One More Week

2010-01-16T21:07:00.003-06:00

Wow. A full 5 day school week. The boys all did well on getting their books read for their reading goal. Basketball practices went well. Audrey attended her Girl Scout meeting and has decided to get back in the swing of GS. I think Cookie sales looming on the horizon have her motivated. Today was a busy busy day. I had waited til last night to get the boys basketball shorts out. And to my surprise they didn't all fit. duh. So 930am today I am rushing to Academy hoping they still have some. The did and all was good. 12n William to the YMCA for team pictures. 1pm William's game. 1:20 leave with Audrey to help pick up Troop cookies. Take them to leader's house and unload. Ditch Audrey with the leader. PU hamburger for Tom(2:30p). Get home. Tom eats. Boys change into uniforms. PU brother-in-laws truck. PU new entertainment center and ottoman that has come in. Take home. Unload. Return truck to BIL. Be at YMCA by 4:15 for J&J's team pictures. 5:00pm Game. When not watching my boys play I am drooling over the lady at the end of the bleachers with her twin 3 month old twin boys. Awww.....Remember when.....They were containable and not running all over the bball court acting like dorks. They really did well for their first game. James was obsessed with looking at the scoreboard. The best part, they don't keep score at this age. He spent all of William's game with his jacket over his head because he didn't want to hear the buzzer. Gotta love 'im. 6:30pm Chili's having a beer.
So glad we have a 3 day weekend this week. MLK day is Monday the the school is closed. Tom is off work as well.
YEA!

Report on the first week back!

2010-01-08T20:24:00.002-06:00

Reading- William, after some coaxing, took his first AR test on a Chapter Book. He made an 80 on the Magic Tree House Pirates at Noon book! He then took two more AR test this week on 1/2 point books. Smaller picture books that can be read in one sitting. He's ready to start the Dinosaur Tree House book. I'm so proud of him! He also had some pretty tough words on his spelling test this week. He made a 103. The 3 extra points came from bonus words. (How do you make a beaming Mommy Face in text world?) :))))))))) James and Joseph both took AR test this week and made 100's. James took 2 and I think that after today Joseph has 2 under his belt as well. The reason I am getting so excited and worked up about this is because before the Holiday it had become so hard to get these AR goals taken care of.
We have fallen into a fairly good study/homework habit. I hope it continues. I think the fact they can't even look at their DSs until it is all done helps.
Audrey has had a good week back at Ballet and school. She's excited to be back with her friends. She had a pretty easy homework week. She have begun heavy studying of Science technology. Science is the big emphasis of their TAKS test this Spring. She is also reading a much larger book for her AR goal this 6 weeks. She's working thorough it pretty well.
I had a good week back at preschool. Happy to see my big and my little friends. My left heel is giving me trouble. Feels very bruised, hurts when I walk, and feels like there is a knot in it. My new sketchers help alot with cushioning it. It seems to hurt more when I'm just sitting. Kind of a burning feeling. I went to the clinic yesterday. It could be a spur. but for now we are going to call it planters facetious(sp). I have some exercises to do with it, soak it.....etc... and hope it goes away. If not we'll do an x-ray and then possibly a cortisone injection. AUGH! I'm going to have to be in a whole lot more pain for me to consider that.
Basketball is underway. Our games for this week were canceled. The whole season has now been extended a week. So tomorrows games that were cancelled will now be March 6 at 9am and 10am. Do you see a problem here? March 6 is 56 days away......March 5 is 55 days away. MARCH 5th is my BIRTHDAY! The night of my Party! Am I really to be at a 9am basketball game the next day? Well, it is a 40th birthday.....Old people don't normally stay up too late anyway, right? But, I have this amazing suite at the B&B. :( Tom said to just book the room for another night so we can go back and enjoy. I don't know.....I might. I'll think about it after I stop pouting.
Quick prayer request: My friend Nikki and her family. Nikki is having her 4th baby later this month. She is scheduled for a c-section. Her husband and oldest daughter are currently in Japan picking up another new member of the family. The little boy is a little over a year old. Nikki and her family have adopted him. Did I mention she also has a little girl who isn't quite 2 who only became a family member a year ago, from China? So Nikki is at home with 3 girls, pregnant with a little boy to be delivered in about 2 1/2 weeks. Her husband and oldest Daughter (about age 11 I think?) are in China picking up another little boy. Please help me lift them up.
Also, a fellow teacher at the preschool is dealing with yet another illness in her family. Her husband is believed to have epilepsy. He was put on some medication and has to be watched carefully this week. Then he can't drive for SIX MONTHS. She had kidney stones this fall. Then he passed out at work in his office and they didn't know why. He had a couple more seizures over the Holidays and they have made this diagnosis. They have a 15 year old daughter and a 9 year old son.
Ok. Time to get off and go soak.
Enjoy your weekend!

NEW YEAR!!! HI 2010!

2010-01-04T09:05:00.004-06:00

First Monday of the 2010. It's 9am and I am sitting in my robe at the computer blogging. hmmm.... I have only been up for an hour too. The kids have one more day of Christmas break. Bless our teachers. They all had to get back to it today. But personally I think they kind of like having a day to regroup and organize. I also love that I am a 3 day a weeker at the preschool...which means....I still have tomorrow off too! Bwaaahaaahaahaaa!!!!!
Yesterday I did get the outside decorations down. There wasn't much this year. I have all my boxes out of the attic and am doing my dog gondest to organize and label my boxes better. I am also saying goodbye to those things I just don't like, use, or want anymore.
So today will be working on the inside. Laundry, reading. William has 1/2 a chapter to go to finish his first Chapter Book....Pirates at Noon, Magic TreeHouse book. Please pray that he does well on his test tomorrow and doesn't become discouraged. Audrey is working her way through her first really thick book. It is worth 12 points. She is starting a new series of books called Power of Three Warriors. They are cats with different powers. Me..I read Janette Oke, prairie romances.....Nancy Drew..... Joseph read Corduroy which is a 3.5 book the other day. I was so proud of him. He would start to stumble on a word and I'd lean over to help. He'd cover it up so I couldn't see!
Cynthia at Accomplished Woman has inspired me to get busy, get organized, and get primped up around here. Christmas is coming down. I am going to go bare bones in the living room. Crack out the putty and the tape and the stucco and get busy. Tom and I are both ready to get this room FINISHED! We ordered our entertainment center this weekend and also have an ottoman on order for the big leather chair we purchased this summer. I'm hoping the leathers will match well enough.
Exercise! This is another biggy for me for 2010. As you can see from the top ticker I am quickly running out of time to get it all in shape for the big birthday. I bought a pair of the Sketchers Shape Up shoes. They are a bit funky looking and I'm not sure how great they really work but I'm going to give it a try. I walk alot at work and was wanting new tennies anyway so there you go.

It is really funky walking. Audrey and I took the dogs for a walk yesterday and I wore them. I could feel some extra tension in my thighs. So cross your fingers they help!

Ok. Time to get up. Get busy!

New Years Eve

2009-12-31T08:03:00.003-06:00

What are your plans for today? I am going to 1)buy a rake and 2)finish raking up the augh in the back yard. Dog poo, leaves, things Hershey has demolished and spread to the 4 corners. My little rake just isn't doing the job. 3)pack the kids and ship them to the Farm. Thanks Mom and Dad! 4)Decide what amazing thing to do with my Hubby tonight. I'd love to go dancing but not sure I want to pay the higher cover charge and deal with the crowd. Maybe we'll make dinner in and play Wii!

New Years resolution. Biggest one is turn 40 in style. Finish the living room walls before our anniversary on the 20th of January. Get back to my weekly menu planning. Especially with 3 boys in basketball, Audrey's ballet, church activities,...... I need to get us somewhat organized.

When do you take down Christmas? I will start this next weekend. My first job is to get all my boxes out and go through them, thoroughly. I have stuff I just don't put out anymore, am tired of or just don't like. They don't have any special meaning and need to be given to someone else to enjoy.

Well better get started on thie daily list of things to do.

New Years HUGS~!~

PHOTOS! Finally

2009-12-29T09:07:00.002-06:00

I am going to try really really really hard to get my photos organized this year. I need to catch up on scrapbooks and photobooks. And my Mom is waiting for pictures that aren't on the computer. She wants some to scrapbook too. I also have a video camera full of footage that needs to go somewhere. I think I know how to get it onto a cd but am just so scared of loosing it.
We are having a wonderful Christmas season. Christmas Eve with Tom's brother and his family. Christmas day chilling at home. My parents came in to see all the goodies the kids received. The 26th we had Christmas at Mom and Dads farm. Pretty day yesterday, cold, but nice. The kids were able to get some work done in their rooms and I cleaned up the kitchen and did laundry. Today it is rainy and cold. Areas just north of us are getting snow. I am jealous.
Enjoy our pictures. Stay warm. AND STAY SAFE!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T09:33:00.002-06:00

My prayer for all of you is that you have a Blessed, Safe, Happy, Joyful Christmas. We had a bit of sickness in the house over the weekend. Audrey has suffered with a tough sinus infection/cold, William had the squirts, and Joseph had a really tough sinus infection. He had fever and upset tummy. Never got to barfing alot but the phlegm build up was making him nuts and giving him bad headaches. They can be so funny sometimes when they are sick. I feel bad for laughing at his suffering. But when he comes in the living room holding his head and moaning about how his brain aches, then flops down on the sofa, it's funny. After a dose of ibuprofen he was laughing hysterically at everything. Don't know if fever was breaking, he was delirious, whatever it was, he was funny.
Mom bravely had then at the farm Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon. I was able to finish up shopping, wrapping and managed to get a few loads of laundry done. Today is a bit ob baking. Broccoli casserole for dinner tonight with Tom's brother's family. Tomorrow is lazy and relax. Mom and Dad will come in for dinner and to see the gifts the kids receive. Farm Christmas is the following day. I'm glad we decided to do it that way because today is COLD and for the very first time in all my born days we had a bit of snow on Christmas Eve. (this just in. Mom says that yes once when I was little. But I don't remember so it doesn't count.) Looking at the radar I don't think we'll get anything real but atleast it is cold. High for the day is to be in the high 30's low 40's. If we were to get some snow that atleast covered the ground a bit white that would be amazing. Anyway, my brother and his wife are in the panhandle with her family. They intend to drive back Christmas day. I don't want them driving on ice.
I have dinner roll dough in the fridge and cookie dough for cut out cookies. Better get the dishwasher loaded with all those nasty dirty dishes on the cabinet then get busy.
OH! I see it. I see it. It's lightly coming down again. Christmas SNOW! HOW AMAZING.
BREAK************
Whew! That was fun. Took a break to run outside and get a little Christmas snow on me. Had a nice little flurry frenzy there for a minute. Then the sun broke out. Oh well. But the clouds are covering it back again. Should be a fun day!
Merry Christmas! From my Herd to yours.

Random thoughts, Musings, Experiences, ......

2009-12-20T08:26:00.005-06:00

Merry Christmas! The final countdown week is here. The last two weeks of school were busy. Scrooge consumed alot of my time and I Loved IT! These kids are so talented and just plain wonderful. If you follow me on FB or see me in real life you are probably down right tired of me bragging on the kids. I apparently go on and on so much that one lady asked if I was Joseph's mom. No not my little Joseph. The Joseph who played Scrooge. Um, no, my son is William, one of the little urchins/school kids you saw a glimpse of every now and then. :}

Ghost of Christmas Past got Joseph.

The little Urchin Kid.

We had Christmas parties at the kid's elementary and at my preschool.

Yesterday Audrey started feeling bad and stayed in bed all day. Mainly head stuff, I think. Joseph began running fever and had really bad brain hurts(headaches). This morning at 1am William came down with a case of the squirts and isn't happy about having to run to the bathroom every 20 minutes. James has not shown any symptoms or had any complaints.

Tom has had a busy week a the office. City Hall is about to be completely remodeled. There is a vacant office building downtown they have rented for awhile. So he has spent the last two weeks packing and unpacking.

I finally recieved my Pioneer Woman cookbook and have been experiementing. I also have developed a strong desire to have a shiny metal spatula and little milk green looking ramakan bowls. Also want a definition for ramaken bowl.

Basketball practices have started. J&J are on a team together and their coach is the baseball coach at our local University. The coach's wife is the b-ball coach for the women b-ball team at our University. Haven't seen Sally at a practice but have a feeling the ASU b-ball season has something to do with that. Kevin and Sally have a daughter William's age and a son J&J's age. They are great people. However I am thinking I will need to start a beer rotation among the parents. Every practice a different parent brings Kevin a beer. God Bless Him.
FInally got all my Christmas cards out.

If you aren't getting one I"m sorry. I either don't have your address or just plain got bogged down with my list.

Here is a copy of our letter and the picture we included has is the picture at the top of the blog.

Dear Family & Friends, 2009
We pray you are all healthy and happy. We are proud to report that currently we are all well. We keep the big red truck filled with gas and go, go, go. When we are home we are working on the living room. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. We have had fun working together on this project. The joys of remodeling an older home are endless. It’s like a treasure hunt, you never know what new surprise is lurking behind the next turn. Tom has another word for it but we’ll refrain from printing that here.
The kids ended their year at Santa Rita and all advanced to the next level. James & Joseph made it out of Kindergarten without too much damage being done. Audrey has started her 5th grade year and is sad that she will soon be moving on to middle school. William has found books he enjoys reading so the struggle to reach his AR goals of 2nd grade have eased up a bit. James and his teacher have a good working relationship. James’ class and the Kindergartners will be moving into the newly remodeled classrooms soon. We are most excited. Joseph is loving first grade. He and his teacher are a hoot together. Their favorite activity is Rockin’ Friday. Our music teacher and PE Coach host a different grade level each Friday from 3p-6p for fun and food. It is quickly becoming Mom’s favorite activity too. However she hasn’t yet convinced Mr. O and Coach to keep 5th, 2nd and 1st all at the same time. :)
We didn’t take a big vacation this summer. The $$ and time have gone into the house. William spent the month of June at theatre camp here in town. He went everyday from 9a-4p. The end of the month they put on the Beauty and the Beast musical. William had a lot of fun and decided to tryout for Scrooge. He was accepted and has been rehearsing since September. He mainly has group or chorus roles. He is enjoying himself so who knows this might be his ‘thing’. All three boys have signed up for YMCA basketball. Those games will start after the holidays. Audrey enjoyed a fun campout sleepover for her birthday in June. She also attended several ballet camps at her ballet school, Butterfly Ballet Academy. She has improved so much over the last year. May 2010 they will perform the Peter Pan ballet. All Tinker Belle’s friends will be in the play. Audrey was given the role of Rosetta. She and Mommy went on a Girl Scout trip over Labor Day weekend. They slept at the NASA Space Center in Houston. It was a very exciting experience. Tom took a trip to Laughlin with his buddy Jack in August. As soon as he got home Amy ditched him for an over night trip to Dallas to attend the Women of Faith Conference. She got to meet singing star Mandisa and was totally thrilled.
Tom is still with the City of San Angelo as the Water Utilities Director. As if we don’t have enough moving around and rearranging going on at home they are currently moving their offices into a temporary location while City Hall is remodeled.
Amy accepted a part time job at St. Luke’s Child Development Center. She loves the ladies she works with and the kids are pretty fun too. Amy is a floater/aide. It is an exciting job that changes all the time, sometimes hourly.
The blog is still updated as often as possible and Amy is also on Facebook, Amy Eggemeyer Kerr, wanna’ be friends?
Blog www.thewordfromtheherd.blogspot.com
E-mail tomamykerr@suddenlink.net

snow and lights

2009-12-05T21:59:00.001-06:00

We had a fun time at the Christmas Light parade tonight. This is my favorite parade.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

SNOW

2009-12-04T08:23:00.002-06:00

My kids were most excited this morning to learn we have snow. Not enough to close or even delay our schools but snow none the less. It is to continue snowing through the morning but end around noon. I had been hoping for a delay. I didn't get it BUT, the teachers we have who live out of town and have school age kids did. SO that means preschool is running on schedule just like the public school and I am so praying most of these kids stay home today. I really don't want our out of town teachers to be driving on yucky roads either. So we'll see.
Pictures later.
Amy

Black Friday

2009-11-28T08:00:00.002-06:00

All is good here. JJ and I made our early 'deer hunting' adventure to the big Black Friday sales. We visited Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Sams, Hastings, the Mall, and Family Christian. The crowds weren't bad at all. Everyone was nice and helpful. I got pretty much everything I went for. And the best part I didn't pick up that much extra stuff. I did a really good job watching the pocket book. I tend to come home with lots of 'cool the kids would love that' items. But I guess several years of days like yesterday evening have trained me. As I lay on the sofa trying to catch a few winks I hear 'oh that's cool. I want THAT.' as they watch tv. And ofcourse it is never what I have stashed in the garage. JJ says that's when you start dropping subliminal messages. "Yeah that's cool but wouldn't a wind up purple elephant be so much better. " :)
Don't worry no purple elephants here. I did grab a guitar to go with their grow band instruments. I almost got the anti gravity cars at 15.00 each for the boys. This is why we have our BFFs with us. She stopped me. thanks Jay.
I need a few gift cards and a couple more things for the kids and I'm done. I figure the cards can be purchased after next weeks paycheck.
Plans for today. Take kids out shopping, scratch that looking. Get better ideas of what these cool things are. Put up outdoor decorations since tomorrow we are finally due a real cold front that will last days and hopefully with moisture. YEAH! The boys want to put up their tree but their room is a long way from tree ready. We'll see how far they get today. Tom has deadline of next weekend to get all the living room work done that he can before I shut the project down so I can decorate. We'll see how far we get. If sheetrock can get up on the final section of wall then I might delay decorations so I can get texture up. Who knows.
Hoping for a successful day of accomplishments.
Happy Saturday Friends.

BOAT FLOAT

2009-11-25T08:20:00.002-06:00

First Graders have been learning what will float and what won't. We had intended to work on our boats this past weekend. Saturday got away from us then we stayed at the Farm til after 5pm. Got home and promptly forgot. Monday the boys come home "We need to make boats!" So we got busy finding water bottles and wood and tape. All things they said they needed. They did alot of the work or told me what to do. Success. Our boats floated. My eyeglasses however don't float. The yarn came off James' boat. I knelt down to get his boat. I had on my Rx sunglasses and my eyeglasses were on my shirt. plunk. in the water they went. But they were laying on a little ledge, right there. So I layed down a bit and got lower. As I reached they went farther. As I reached I felt my leg come up. "OH S*^~! I'm about to go in the water." Thanks to Floyd grabbing my foot, I didn't. Retrieved my glasses and all was good. We are spending $$ on living room lighting right now. I don't have extra to get new glasses. yet.
Floyd's job is to keep me out of trouble. He was one of our amazing Dad helpers on the t-ball team. He kept me from stringing up little boys on more than one occasion. He's a keeper Mina.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thanksgiving

2009-11-22T18:03:00.002-06:00

Taken care of. Today, Sunday, we enjoyed a very nice meal and visit with my family. My parents have a cotton farm in a near by small town. It is where I grew up. The kids love going to 'the Farm'. Today my brother and his wife, my mom's brother, his wife and daughter were there with us. It was so nice. The twins had their PB&J and enough cookies to keep them high for a day or two. Tom came back in early with William. I didn't want William to miss the last Scrooge rehearsal before Thanksgiving. They won't meet again til the Monday the 30th.
The kids have school tomorrow and 1/2 day on Tuesday. I only work M-W-F so I only have one day to report in this week. Yee Haw! Thursday we will enjoy just staying home and chillin'. Wednesday I think I'll take the kids to see Planet 51. Then!!!! FRIDAY!!!!!! JJ and I go SHOPPIN'.
I heard JJ tell a friend the other day that Black Friday is for us what deer hunting is for Men. It's our thing. It's one of the rare events that will get us out of bed at 3:30am. I've started searching the Black Friday websites. Makin' a list. Shinin' up the sneakers. Let's GO!
I am still stuffed from lunch but the boys are asking for food so I guess I'll go scrounge something up for them.
Have a great week.
xoxo
Amy

Happy Day Happy Day

2009-11-16T06:16:00.002-06:00

Hi all. We had a great week last week. Tom was off and got lots done around the house. We are almost ready for the remaining sheetrock on the last wall. The openings into the office, kitchen, and dining room need to be evened up and sheetrocked as well. Hoping we might do that during the evenings this week. If not then fun work day on Saturday.
The kids only have 7 more days of school before the Thanksgiving break. We're ready. Dinner will be at the Farm this coming Sunday. We will have 4 days off and not required to go anywhere. YEAH!. Friday ofcourse is Black Friday. The big shopping day. For JJ and I it has become more of a social outing. I am very proud of myself. I have a couple of items already purchased for extended family and if not purchased then I know what I'm getting. It's my kids that are hard this year. Go figure.
We are all staying well. knock on wood and spit twice over the shoulder. We had a norther blow in last night. YEAH! Cold weather today. high 50's. We'll be back to lower 70's before the week is out. I would really like it to get in the mid 50's to 60's and stay there awhile. Then sometime soon, December, a week of cold cold cold and kill kill kill the bugs!
Well it's about time to raise the herd. Hugs! Hope you have a marvelous Monday and Week before Thanksgiving!

Morning Funny

2009-11-10T07:13:00.002-06:00

This morning Joseph was looking through the Target toy ad. It was fun to hear him work on learning how much stuff cost. William sees a robot like one he had a few years ago.
"Look that's like my robot." William
"Yep, the one James stuck up his nose." Mom
"OH! This is not good." Joseph
"Mom I can get the robot and not let James stick the helmet up his nose."

William had taken the robot apart to see how it works. go figure. An antena thing broke off the helmet. The same summer we had Joseph with a broken arm James stuck the toy up his nose. Even with day surgery to look for it it was never found but, we know it was there because it left marks.

So the question remains. Will Santa brave getting another 10.00 robot and bringing it to the Herd Home ?!?

What's up!

2009-11-09T06:09:00.002-06:00

Not much really, or so it seems. William is enjoying his rehearsals for Scrooge. Tickets will go on sale next week. If you plan to attend a show Dec 11-13, please let me know so we can sell you the tickets. Audrey got her animal project done a whole week in advance. It was nice not having to stress over that after school last week. She is really enjoying her ballet and has asked to attend classes 3 days a week. All the kids are doing well in school and made their reading goals last week. James took a nose dive into a table on the playground Monday I think it was. Got himself a pretty black eye. Not as cool as the one his friend got from a different accident but still cool.
Are you ready for the Holidays? We are getting there. Tom has taken off several days this week to work on the living room. I'm praying to have sheetrock on the remaining wall by Friday. Then I can attack!
I love my job. It is nice to have a little change coming in and an opportunity to mingle with real folks. The kids are all so precious too.
Well, time to get some coffee, throw some waffles on the bar for the boys, and then wake the sleeping monsters. Enjoy your week. Blessings to all who are still out there checking in on me every now and then. Since FB and work my blog has started to grow Moss. I'll try to do better for you 3 or 4 who still check in.
Amy

Halloween Fun

2009-11-01T10:04:00.001-06:00

We had a fun week. Glad it's over.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Recipe Swap

2009-10-29T08:13:00.003-05:00

I remembered! Here's a fav of mine.
Sue Sims Chicken

Melt a stick of butter/margarine

Lay out wax paper and use your rolling pin to crush club crackers (By rolling over them not pounding them. Well, unless you've had a really bad day and a strong counter top. Then go for it!). Add paremsan cheese, cracked pepper and parsley flakes. Mix together.

Dip chicken in butter then roll in cracker mixture. Lay in baking pan. Drizzle remaining butter over chicken. Bake uncovered at 325 til juicy! Time depends on how much chicken and how thick. strips don't take as long as breast.

Again quantity depends on how many feeding. I know my recipes can be a bit annoying. Drives my Mom crazy. She'll make a comment "You're just like your Grandma. A little this a little that I changed this I don't like that......" I just beam and say "Thank You." :)

Lessons

2009-10-28T16:08:00.002-05:00

I am trying to be more positive. So far I am flunking terribly. I got a lesson from Audrey today. It is mid semester conference time. I have meet with 2 of the 4 teachers. Yesterday the sheet came home to schedule James'. They give a list of times over about a 4 day period that the teacher is available. You choose 3 times that would work for you and rank them 1-2-3. I've usually gotten my 1 or 2 choice. I like mid morning on days off or lunch or during the school day. Well the teacher didn't have that many that would work for me so I chose 2 lunch time times and one for 7:15a on Friday. Yep, I got 7:15a on friday. Ugh. I was moaning about it and Audrey said "Well atleast we'll be in our pajamas and won't have to do alot." Thanks to Drug Awareness week the kids have been pumped every morning to get dressed up. Having their stuff picked out the night before has been very helpful. It doesn't always work during the regular weeks because they change their mind by morning. Anyway, like Audrey said. "If you have to have a 7:15a conference what better day than pajama day!" Then I have to come home and get ready for Trunk or Treat at my school. AUGH I just realized that Friday is also Pops Concert for William's class. So these kids are going to be singing and dancing in their pajamas?!
I don't Do Halloween. I decorate a little and get costumes and enjoy taking the kids Trick or Treating but other than that, Nope, It's just not my holiday. I'm catching flack at work because I've been telling them I don't intend to dress up. Who knows I might come up with something fun. We'll see.
James' is having a better week at school this week. Thank goodness. William has been singing Christmas songs in preparation for Scrooged. Joseph is a toot. Audrey is making me nuts. She does her homework fairly independently. I have to keep asking what she has going on so I don't get surprised. However she'll still pull one out her hat. Oh, Mom, I need yada yada yada for tomorrow. AUGH.
We had a garage sale Saturday. I made about 100.00. That was nice. Tom and I listened to the Tech vs Aggie game on the radio. Thank God it wasn't televised. I have no idea what happened at that game but I can tell you it wasn't the Red Raiders I know and love that played in it.
Ok. I gotta get off the computer. We have religion class tonight and this year the Sac Prep kids have lessons to do at home with parents. I'm going to try and do them with William on Wednesdays to help us keep up. So far we haven't done a single one and have 3 to catch up on. I like this plan though I think it is great that parents take a more active role in their kids religious ed. I always love the comments "That's not my job." Like when was the last time you saw a Sunday School/Religious Ed teacher paid?
Ok. I'm off. Catch ya' later.

Thursday Recipe

2009-10-15T07:23:00.003-05:00

Whoo Hoo Two weeks in a row! This is part of Musings of a Mom Thursday Recipe Swap.

French Onion Soup
sweet yellow onions
butter/margarine
bay leaf
beef broth
whorchester sauce
french bread
mozerella cheese

Carmelize onions with butter on the stove. Add onions, bay leaf, whorchestershire and beef broth in crockpot. Cook on low for the day. place bread slice in bottom of bowl. spoon in soup. top with cheese.
YUM~!~
I know I didn't give measurements. The broth is the majority of your liquid. Add whorchestshire to your liking. Depending on how many you are feeding will depend on how many onions you need. You really can't screw it up. I add a little water to help fill in. But don't water it down too much or yuck.
Amy

Love 'em or Toss em'

2009-10-15T07:14:00.002-05:00

This is the question. William has been a jewel lately. Reading when I need him to. Studying his spelling words, taking out trash and doing chores the first time I ask. Ok. Love him -----Keep him.
Joseph- Knows his spelling words like a whiz. Fights me tooth and nail to study them. Seriously? 5 minutes and you're done kid. Same with reading his books. AUGH!
Yesterday teacher reports he smarted off to a substitute "I don't have to listen to you. You aren't my teacher." Then played a little game of I'll get by the Librarian in the hall way while she was keeping kids back from being run over by book carts. My suggestion - Next time let him go. He's been flattened by 3 different shopping carts and hasn't learned yet to watch where he's going.
Toss him? Keep him? Give him another change? Guess I'll keep him.
JAMES! - funny-He took an AR test yesterday. Made a 40. Teacher e-mails me. Don't panic if you see this on the website. He took the test in Spanish. He can retake tomorrow. I find out later the test was on a book he refused to finish reading. So I guess 2 out of 5 correct and in spanish. Not bad. THEN-last night at religion class......I was at the Sacrament Prep class for parents. The director gets a text from her office. Kerr boy in the office. AUGH. He had made 2 different trips to the bathroom. THEN was standing on top of the table. Really? standing on top of the table? Really? I'm going with Toss on this one. He's about to be the death of me! But his teacher says he's cute. :) augh!
Well time to take the darlin's to school and tackle another day of picture taking. Today is at my preschool so hopefully since the kids know me it will go fast. Then teacher conf with Joseph's teacher. Regular mid semester check-up.
Love ya'
Amy

Yeah Me and other stuff!

2009-10-13T21:59:00.003-05:00

1-Yeah Me! I have 5 of 10 communication folders done for preschool. These folders have a sign in a sign out column and the picture and name of each kid in each class. It's a great idea because sometimes another teacher or floater :) will end up needing to be with a class and not always know all the kids.
2-Yeah Me! I finally get around to participating in Musing Mom Therese's Thursday recipe swap. Mostly because she was offering gifts! AND!! I won the towel set.

Some other stuff. This weekend I got through all the boys warm weather and cold weather clothing. That was a nightmare. Trying to get them to try some things on because I just didn't know if they would still fit. Then it doesn't and they are all disappointed or it does and they don't want to take it off. augh!
Audrey stayed home today with what appears/appeared to be the beginning of a bladder infection. She has been drinking alot of water and cranberry juice today and doing alot better.

JAMES! Well this little fellow has been having a rough couple of weeks. Pushing, spanking another kid on the playground (?) Still don't understand all of that one. Pushing has come in lining up, getting another kid off his folder etc... So last week after the 3rd call from his teacher I told him and her that he should go to the office and they call Mommy if he has anymore trouble. We then had a 3 day weekend. I talked to him off and on all weekend. Lots of encouraging, loving, this morning. Phone on my hip all day just waiting for it to ring. Praying that it wouldn't. YEAH we made it. I see his teacher outside when I go to pick them up. "So how'd he do?" "Well he did great all day. Thought we were going to make it. He pulled stripe at 2:15 (school is out at 2:45) for gluing a girls hair to her chair." Now you tell me. Would you kind of make that milk up your nose laugh? I just did. You just never know what is going to be said. I try to be prepared but, well, ya' know sometimes the probably not so proper response comes out. She kind of laughed too. Said that he admitted to doing it and she didn't have time to research it farther. So later at dinner we are discussing our day. Joseph is giving us a meteorologist cloud lesson. William is happy he took two AR test today and Mom is finally off his back for a bit. Then it's James turn. Now it is very important to be in synch with your mate and know what their reaction will be. So this way you know DON"T LOOK AT HIM when James tells him about the hair glued to the chair.
"So James how'd your day go. Did you have to pull a strip?"
"Yes."
"Why?" He looks at me...... "This is good." Then quick look away.
"I glued Mady's hair to her chair."
Yep, I'm not the only one with the milk up the nose snort reaction. DON"T LOOK AT HIM.
Tom recovers and ask. "Why?"
"She was blowing at me. Like this." He proceeds to throw his head back and blow up in the air.
He says he tried the "Please stop." response we gave him to say but it didn't work. The part where you go to an adult alluded him.
Friday he wants to go to the Friday Bash party for First Graders so I have leverage for the next 3 days. Our Music Teacher and PE Coach are two very awesome guys. Last week they kept 2nd graders from 2:45-6:00. William had a blast. They ate pizza, played games, Wii, danced, all kinds of stuff. We love Coach McGee and Mr. O.
So that's what you've got from us.
Tomorrow night is the first class for the Sacrament Prep kids and their parents. We will get all our info and book tomorrow. I'm really kind of looking forward to this. Wish us luck.
Hugs!!

3 Day Weekend

2009-10-10T08:59:00.002-05:00

So excited we have a 3 day weekend for Columbus Day. Audrey is attending a sleepover birthday party this evening so I got a sitter for the boys. Was planning to go to a movie and dancing. Tom just announced Tech plays at 6pm. Should have known. It's homecoming week. We'll probably play it by ear.
Plan to work with William and his reading too. James too. James also needs to work on his attitude/behavior/and anger management. Not doing too well at school lately.
That housework that piles up and gets away from me during the week. The WALL. Crochet projects. I finally finished Therese's and will get it in the mail this week. I want to post a picture but, I'll wait til I'm sure she has it.
The weather has cooled off, it's cloudy, a bit rainyish (is that a word? :))
I'm feeling good today. Going to get some things accomplished! Grrrr Go Amy!

Recipe Swap

2009-10-08T20:45:00.003-05:00

YEAH! I am finally getting in on Therese's Thursday recipe swap. She had to tempt me with a giveaway. :) 500 Post for her!

So here is my Chicken Pot Pie recipe I used tonight for supper.

2c frozen veggies thawed

2 9 inch pie shells

2 cups cooked/cubed turkey or chicken

1 can cond. cream chkn soup

1/2 c milk

1 small onion

Saute onion in small amount of oil. I didn't use the whole onion. I then added my chicken for a few minutes. Place one pie shell in pie pan. Mix in bowl onion/chicken/soup/milk/veggies. Pour in shell. Place second shell on top. crimp sides, add slits or poke with fork. Bake at 400 for about 40 minutes. Voila.

Math and Science Night

2009-10-03T09:51:00.001-05:00

Our Elementary host a Math and Science Night. All the teachers and several students from the local college come and have experiments, displays, activities..... It's a great night for the kids.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Nasa Slideshow.

2009-10-03T09:40:00.000-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A Day with Mom

2009-09-29T21:15:00.002-05:00

Just what I needed. I day spent with my Mom. We didn't really 'do' anything. We wondered around Hobby Lobby. Talked about some ideas. I got yarn to finish a couple of projects. We visited my brother and his wife. Chandra and her chickens CRACK...ME...UP!
Mom and I ate mexican food for lunch. Picked up groceries and then it was time to get kids. Ofcourse today I forgot Audrey stays after school for skippers. Mom and I had gone in to school to see the new lobby area. I visited with a fellow Mom. Saw a little girl from Joseph's class last year who was looking for their K teacher. Then started to realize my kids weren't around. Where could they be? Would Audrey bring them through the school or around the side? Hmmm.... OH SNOT! The boys are still in the cafeteria waiting to be picked up. Audrey goes to the gym! Just incase my mother doesn't already think I'm a flake I needed to confirm it for her.
I'm enjoying catching up on several of my bloggy friends.
I love seeing the new little babies and then hearing the good progress of the pregnancies of others. We just welcomed two baby girls to two bloggy families. And wait patiently for the two little boys due after the first of the year. Well, Nikki, I guess I should say 3 little boys. Hoping Baby Joseph's paperwork is all soon approved and the process of his adoption goes quick.
Well, it's back to the preschool tomorrow. So I'm off to finish up a few things and head to bed.
HUGS!
Amy

IT's MONDAY!

2009-09-28T07:07:00.003-05:00

yeah!...?
We had a pretty nice weekend. Friday night we attended a small town football game. Our nephew was playing football. Their team was playing my hometown. Made it interesting. It's amazing how grown up our nephews are. Ward plays football and Banner was roaming getting phone calls from the stands to go get us drinks. :)
I was on time to pick William up at rehearsal yesterday, yeah me! I fell asleep on the sofa and if the twins hadn't had a disagreement I'm not sure I'd have made it.
We got the old white pick up started and Tom took a load of 'stuff' to the dump. The swimming pool came down this weekend too. Now that I'm a workin' mom I really need to make better use of my weekends and my days off. I'm afraid I fail miserably.
Work, School, house, kids. That about sums it up.
Catch ya' again soon.
Amy

It's a tuesday!!

2009-09-22T19:23:00.000-05:00

Blogging via blkbry. Since I was 40 minutes getting william from rehearsal on sunday. I decided to show up plenty early today. I thought they ran til 530. NOT. 430. They were so sweet they waited til 510 before calling. Joel said they had stuff to do but, Dude. I'd have so been on the phone. "COME GET UR KID". They r practicing a song right now that sounds amazing after only a few practices. Audrey is at ballet so we blast there next. James was beaming after school he had made a 100 on his reading test for the biscuit book he read. He had a book from the teachers library for tonite. No trouble getting him to read it. Yeah!! Oh they're done gotta blast

Augh

2009-09-18T23:10:00.002-05:00

I hate that when I get computer time i go to facebook so much. I do like facebook and keeping up with people there but my bloggy world has always been so much more special to me. I get to 'farmin' and gamin' ' on facebook and waste time like you wouldn't believe.
So new rule......blog first then facebook. besides I have facebook on the blackberry and it's easier to access than the blog. so duh?!
And Preschool is kicking my hinny or tushy or bottom or whatever term is appropriate for whichever class I might be in during the day. At home or in the sanctity of the workroom away from little ears. Preschool is kicking my butt! I nearly wet my pants the other day because I didn't have time to get to a potty. Then when I did the 2 year olds were washing up for lunch. I had to run down the hall to get to the next potty.
I truly love my job. Those cutie pututties are just too much. And boy do they make me happy that mine are all potty trained and I can pick them up from school on a Friday, go home, throw some cereal at them, threaten them, and crash on the sofa. They were all pretty tired from a long week too.
Tonight we attended a football game at my home town. I love those small town games. You can send your 6 year old to the concession stand and not worry about it. Next week we plan to attend my nephew's (on Tom's side) game at another small town near us. Guess who they are playing? Yep, my home town. And it will be homecoming.
We had open house at school Tuesday. We got there at about 10 til 6pm. It started at 6pm. It was crazy cramming into the lunchroom. Well, we never made it in. Then visited 4 rooms. We didn't even have William with us he as at rehearsal for Scrooged. So we saved his room for last. I saw his stuff, talked to his teacher..... At 7pm the principal comes on the speaker. Thanks the parents for coming and says we are calling it a night. Like really. The they wanted to go home after being at school for 12 hours and needing to be back by 7:30a then next morning. Really.
I have always respected teachers and boy after my 8:30-1:30 (usually nearly 2:30) day, three days a week. I totally bow down before them.
The teachers my kids have this year are really great matches for them. I am so glad. I worry every year and every year God takes care of it.
I am super tired and am off to bed. I hope I can get a smilebox made of our pics at NASA with the girl scouts.

Updating

2009-09-12T08:24:00.003-05:00

Hi all. Guess it's been a while. Audrey and I had a great time at the Space Center in Houston. I have lots of pics to go through and will make a smilebox. Hopefully today when I get computer time. We will be locked in today. It has rained for 2 days. The preschool teachers were starting to climb the wall by noon yesterday. The first week went relatively well. Mindy the director has left the other floater and I to plan our own schedule. At first I thought YEAH! I can work a break in and lunch by myself. HA! Wednesday and Friday I finally got my lunch out of the too warm fridge at 2:00p. School ends at 1:30. Between sclepping snacks, picking up cups, working in time to wash them and let them air dry. Helping with centers, diaper changes, snacks, lunches, running errands for teachers, I am pooped. And really at times I think I'm more a hindrance than a help. One of our new teachers, Priscilla, the niece of Margie, is amazing. I go in to help and really that girl has got it goin'. She is amazing. Wednesday I peeked in to help with getting out lunch and she was already sitting down with them, had them circled around the table, calm, clean, amazing. I told her she was abnormal. So I went across the hall where chaos was in full swing. "Awww.... this is more like it." I thought I had a pretty good schedule worked out and then remembered I need to work in Library time to get books around. But, atleast it's busy and the day goes by. I have some little friends over in KDO (Kid's day out) that I don't get to see but, maybe I can work in a trip over now and then. I do love my job and am glad to be back. My house is suffering terribly. The living room is a wreck but, thankfully that is because there is a wall going up! Tom started on it while Audrey and I were in Houston. Can't wait til he gets it in place and can add the bookcase.
So today I praise the rain and thank God for soaking our dry country.
Well the Marios are on attack through the house catching stars and squishing mushrooms I'd better go put up the defenses.

Second Week

2009-09-03T21:02:00.002-05:00

The second week of school hasn't been without it's little dramas. Last night Audrey had a mini breakdown about her Social Studies. When I encouraged her to work on it even though it was getting late she calmed a bit and went to her room to work. Only to come back in 2 minutes with another mini breakdown. She had the wrong book. She had to finish coloring and labeling the states. I was ashamed that I couldn't help much with the interior states. I know they are there and their general location but get a few mixed up here and there. Anyway. I walked in and talked to teacher today and all is well. She has had both ballet classes this week and enjoying being back at it. William had his cast meeting Tuesday. He looked at me and asked which urchin he is. I didn't realize there are parts for Urchin 1, 2, and 3, speaking lines. He is just in the 'chorus'. He seemed ok with that. I think he understands but when he gets busy he should be ok. We had a teacher meeting at church. I am now very nervous about being able to pull off the Stations this year. And I not only have the big kid stations, tweaked, but also the little kids. AAWWW::: :O
Envelopes for Parent Organization membership keep coming in from the school. The throw my in-service for the preschool on top of it. I was responsible for getting library that use to have it's own room, organized into 12 tubs on 6 shelves. It really came around ok. We had Meet the Teacher tonight and I became alot more excited about being at the preschool this year as a 'real' employee. Our teachers have worked so very very hard. They not only had to get their rooms in order they had to clean them too! The big Big BIG kind of clean. Our janitor baled two weeks before school starts. AUGH! We are all hoping the church hires somebody and SOON.
Today was picture day at school. I encouraged the kids to lay out clothes last night. I asked and the twins agreed to wear their overalls. They were very excited about it. This morning Joseph decides, No I'm not going to wear them. JOSEPH, the kid who hounded me all over town looking for them. Why!? Star Wars don't wear overalls. Are you kidding me? Just when I think we are on smooth sailing with this one woop, he changes. Don't try getting a step ahead of him. It's a struggle to just try to stay instep with him.
Tonight after meet the teacher and picking up Audrey at ballet I came home and cleaned out the truck and started packing. Tomorrow our Girl Scout troop with only 4 of our girls, are going to Austin tomorrow. Saturday to Houston and a sleepover at NASA, Sunday a tour and back to Austin, Monday home. whew.... what a trip this will be. The troop leader and her husband are going. Her granddaughter is in the troop. Then another grandmother is coming along with her granddaughter, Audrey and I and then one other girl. The others backed out either because it was a long trip without mom, dropped the troop or have other obligations. I will attempt to update blog but I"m sure I will update facebook.
So with all that said I will sign off. I am enjoying a Martini (cheers Kim! (you too Nikki and Therese even though you can't really have one you preggies.. :))) and am now going to make new name tags for the teachers cubbies at school.
xoxo
Amy

He's in!

2009-08-31T07:59:00.002-05:00

Saturday was filled. William had is audition at 9am. Audrey had a b-day party to attend at 11:30, we all got to go to that one. Then William attended a party at 3:30. That night Tom and I went out with JJ & Brian to celebrate Brian's 40th. Yesterday was registration at church for all the different activities/organizations. Yesterday afternoon I crashed and am now wishing I had gotten more done. I am off to school this morning. In-Service starts today. And then I have a feeling Mindy is going to put me to work.
gotta run hair is still in a towel.
Oh, yeah! William got in! He will be in the urchin chorus, a school child, and a party child. He is excited. We have a meeting tomorrow night at rehearsals start next Tuesday. Dates for the performance of Scrooged is Dec 11-13. More later.
Most likely the kids will be selling tickets again so if would like to attend please let us know and William will take care of your order. For Beauty and the Beast he was the second highest in ticket sales and got $50.00!

They're HERE!

2009-08-26T22:57:00.002-05:00

Check it OUT! The overalls arrived today! The guy who ordered them said it would about 3 weeks, which is normal. But the company had some for one reason or another and were shipping him some stuff already. So they added them to the order and voila! We have overalls!!

Boys have been in training on how to take them on and off so they can wear them to school tomorrow. With tennies not sandals. :)

I ask.... Can Joseph (yellow shirt) be any prouder or smile any bigger?

Bad Oman.....Good Oman....How do you spell Oman?

2009-08-26T10:08:00.002-05:00

Question..... What does it mean when.....First day of school a bird poos on your notebook laying on the hood of your truck? Second day of school you get a phone call at 8:30a to pick up son who has pooed his pants. Third day of school your DOG poos in your expedition on the way home from the vet?!? I need to know. OH! And all this happens just days after splitting your pants and parading around infront of 16,000 women!
Just askin'.

Day TWO!

2009-08-25T08:57:00.004-05:00

So, when is our first school vacation? They couldn't even wait 3 days before getting back to their usual morning routine. I don't want to eat this.... where's my shoes..... I hate my hair..... I'm not combing my hair..... He Has My DS!...... I'm not eating lunch at school....... Don't pack that!.....

And before I could even get the following second day of school pics posted the phone rings and .....SAISD..... Which kid is in Mrs. Elliott's room......Joseph.... (said slowly and cautiously....because yesterday wasn't so terribly great....) He has diarrhea.. Whew!

So I grab two changes of clothes, wipes and head out the door.

He's a bit nervous of it happening again so I brought him home. augh!

But at least he went to school with a good spirit today!

Audrey, James and William in the background going to school behind the yellow tape. :(

Our school is getting some much needed remodeling and upgrading. So hoping the front office can be moved back soon. That will help ALOT.

The Word from the Herd

Happy New Year

Christmas 2011

Wonderful Blogs

Lovin' the time OFF

Austin Texas

King and I

Prayer for Day 8

Ho! Ho! Holy Moly!

Our Lady of the Rockies

All is Well

Back at It

Jeanette Kerr Zachary

Holy Moly

ANNIE

William!

Great DeTox weekend

Spring Break-Operation Family DeTox

Cold....CoLd....COLD

New Orleans in the Backyard

Nawlins'

New Orleans!

Hee...Hee....!!

Christmas Wrap UP

Christmas Preparation

Seuss!!!

Seussical!

Ready...Set....GO!

It does A Body GOOD

Minor Set Back in Amazingness

Blessed...Blessed....Blessed

October

Fall Fun

PROGRESS

LIVING ROOM!!!!!

On the Count Down......

JUNGLE BOOK!!!

Summer Wind Down.

GIRL WEEKEND!!!*******Retreat!

Birthdays

Week Review

Heavy Hearts.

Summer

Summer! Let it BEGIN!!!!

The Life of the Herd!

Pictures! Finally!!

Fun Things going on at Elementary School

OH! MY GOODNESS!

LIFE

SPRING BREAK!!

Celebrating 40~~!!~~

Twins Party

Rodeos and Concussions (mild)

Happy Birthday Snoot and Snot!

Snow Day!

Life is Good

Party Quickly Approaching

My Little Discovery!

Daddy/Daughter

Mario & Luigi

Need some Lovin'

We are Mothers! We are Wives! We are followers!

Quickie!

Loads of FUN!

One More Week

Report on the first week back!

NEW YEAR!!! HI 2010!

New Years Eve

PHOTOS! Finally

Merry Christmas!

Random thoughts, Musings, Experiences, ......

snow and lights

SNOW

Black Friday

BOAT FLOAT

Thanksgiving

Happy Day Happy Day

Morning Funny

What's up!

Halloween Fun

Celebrating 40!!