Mercy Comes with the Morning

So THIS is my new favorite song!

Unbirthday

I'm sorry I have been missing in action, but blogger has been giving me blog-ache with their issues with uploading pictures and I wanted to do this post justice with the pictures, but I"m just going to post what I have...

Did you remember how in "Alice in Wonderland" they had "unbirthdays." Well, growing up I always wanted to have a pool party for my birthday even though I was born in late November. So my mom would have "Unbirthday" parties at the pool for us during the summer- what a mom!

Well, I think last weekend it was my "unbirthday" party because I got 7 little presents! Nicole, the kids and Katie traded in her city slickers for her cowboy boots and the grasshopper plague. I couldn't have been more thrilled to have the whole clan (minus john, who was missed!) out here for a few days.

We tried heating up the pool but settled for taking the chill off the pool and the hot tub being warm. The kids swam their little hearts out, slid down the slide, and had diving contests. We visited all the race horses and the kids made sure they were fully nourished. Nicole and I went jogging on my trail and she was totally freaked out because apparently its grasshopper birthing season (or at least it seemed that way). (The pic at the top left is of the man outing when Joe loaded up the boys and headed to McDonald's- too cute!)

Last but not least, we had to make a trip out to see the donkeys. All the farm vehicles were being used so we took my car, affectionately called Louise, straight up through the pastures to track down those donkeys who were in the farthest corner. Once we got over there, they came right up to the car and proceeded to stick their noses inside the windows. Once the kids warmed up to them, it was if they could hear the donkey from Shrek say...

"And then one time I ate some rotten berries. Man, there were some strong gases seepin’ outta my butt that day!"

or

"That's right, I'm a flying talking donkey. You mighta seen a house fly, maybe even a superfly, but you ain't never seen a donkey fly "

or

"Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!"

Now for the pictures...

He's in love!

Here is the kids with Billy (the goat who thinks he's a horse)

Becca is such a little mommy and was so sweet and attentive to all of Isaac's needs! Precious!

The boys in the bath (Just in case you were wondering- little John isn't going to let his man business get away :)

They played together so cute all weekend and Nicole got them matching shirts! Love it!

Here is Nicole videoing the Ranch. I think she wanted to have proof to show John that she was really on a Ranch!


Nicole is the queen of cute little hats and she picked this one up to keep his little head warm this winter!

Thank you for making the trip and enduring the germs for us! We love you guys!

Hodge Podge

Just a few items of business this Wednesday evening.

Anna has a new blog- wahoo!

The Terry's joined the 21st Century and got DVR for the first time. Glory! I have been lobbying for this and could definitely give those Washington lobbyist a run for their money. Can I please have a moment of silence? I'm all choked up.

Found my new favorite chip- Garden of Eatin' Blue Corn Spicy! Delish! In honor of this and the fact that living out here and we eat more food at home than we ever have, I would like to give you the some things I have learned about food from my husband:

8. Milk does a body good.

7. The best meals are the ones off the grill.

6. Why buy hot sauce when you can make it?

5. In meal selection, meats are chosen first.

4. Don't french fries count as a vegetable?

3. Mexican food is good any (or every day) of the week.

2. Chips can go with every meal.

1. There's always a reason to go out to eat.

Honey, I love you and I appreciate you putting up with all the sandwiches, sub-par cooking, turkey sausage, and whole wheat. You encourage me to eat less desserts (because he doesn't like them!) and thank you for pretending like every meal is the best thing you have ever eaten.

Terry Tales

Last Monday we had a little playdate with a little girl who, unbeknown to us, had the 36 hr bug the week before and then Tuesday night the little man fell prey.

Then Thursday, Joe headed to a political fundraiser and it hit him driving home at 70 mph. Yes, there was remnants on the car. Then as he is about to pull up and we are talking on the phone, and I have to quickly drop the phone and run for the porcelain throne.

Still smiling :)


Joe started feeling better and headed out for a long overdue camping trip with his closest guy friend. He made it back in time for us to pull out and head to Austin for a surprise party for my uncle. We had a great time and Isaac had never had a night like that...lots of people saying, "Well, aren't you up late." Yes, we are THOSE parents. Then he fell asleep on 5th street, woke up still in the restaurant, and then woke up again when we arrived out at the lake house. Got to stay up with Aunt Stephanie and then finally crashed. What a night!

Here is my mom with Isaac at the party. Can you believe that she is 64!?!

Today we got to go on our first mom and son date! We really had so much fun; it was just what we needed. We went to Barnes & Noble in College Station and hung out in the kid section reading all kinds of books and playing with their train set. Then, we went to Chick-fil-a, ate some lunch, and then he got to play in the little kid section for the first time. He was then subjected to a grocery store run, but we had fun there too. I love you little buddy and had so much fun hanging out with you today...

Fall-ing

Don't you love the cool evenings and how the breeze comes in over the trees. Oh, this time reminds me when Joseph and I first met. Sigh...

Now that we all have lots of responsibilities, things pulling us here or there and then we are wearing jeans most of the time, we may have the grave temptation to skip over the razor in the shower. We think, "Oh my legs can wait until tomorrow."

Meet Lindsey (and her hubby and Tex:)

We became friends working at a Christian camp the summer before college and I knew she would be a friend I would cherish for life.

Home chick has never gone a day that I have known her without shaving her legs. Seriously. I do not lie. For me, it is a SIGN AND A WONDER! I got to spend some much needed time with her last year and felt once again inspired. I think after seeing her, I went 40 straight days without not shaving (which is quite a record in the dead of winter).

I have this sneaky suspicion that some of you may need a little shaving inspiration! Your husbands will love me (HER) for it. I asked Lindsey, "How do you do it?" She responds, "Its just like washing your hair. Would you get in the shower and not wash your hair. Its the same thing with your legs. And if you do it every day then it takes less time." Thanks Linz, I love and miss you! My life is not nearly as fun and sassy without you.

Then, last weekend to kick off October, Laura came and we carved pumpkins. Hers is the demonic one and yes, we offered her pumpkin up as a burnt offering after she left!

Here is our "kids" enjoying the same toy in the cool fall weather!

The mister sporting a long sleeve onesie! Oh, how I love the cute little vests and things that are out- Janie and Jack watch out!

Hope you are enjoying the fall even more than we are! All our love...

Startin' Him Early

Last night Joe stopped by the Republican headquarters to pick up some goodies. The little old lady said to Joe as he was walking out the door, "Now honey, don't forget to pray for Sarah Palin tomorrow night; she's going to need it." Only in Texas. I love it.




Yes, we are indoctrinating..i mean, teaching...him early! :)