Sunday, April 25, 2010

After the crop last night, I came home and could not sleep so was up until 1 watching TV and waiting for the boys/girl to get home from the races. I thought Pep had Addison and the guys took Travis to race, but as it turns out, Addison did not want to stay at Pep's by herself and so they all went to watch the races. They got home at 1 and Addison was awake. Go figure.

Anyway, I slept in w/ Addison today. I felt like I wasted the whole day...I was wiped out. Remember the days when I went to bed at 1 a.m. (later) w/ no problem? Guess THOSE days are over! i was wiped out today. I even had a nap when Addison did and it was all I could do to get up and shower in time to get to Patsy's for my late birthday celebration. Nothing like stretching your birthday out the whole month! :))

Anyway, so we went to the in-laws and had a nice dinner and photo shoot (wink) with Addison and Jake. Patsy and Rex gave me a gift card for Piccolo...can't wait to use it!

anyway, some photos from the great evening...

the one on the trike is my favorite...maybe do it in black and white or sepia?

Saturday 4/24/10 continued

more photos....

Saturday, 4/24/10

Patrick had a soccer game today at 11:30 in Fort Worth. We got there early and I took a bunch of pictures of the team warming up and a lot of Addison and Ty and Travis, too. After the first half, I went to review them and realized I HAD NO MEMORY CARD IN THE CAMERA. I was crushed because I had what could have been some really great shots of my kids and husband. Anyway, fortunately we still had half a game and I did get some pictures ON A MEMORY CARD :) this time.

When the game was over, I got home and got Addison down for a nap after making lunch and then I packed my bags and went to a crop. First time this year. I was so ready to get there and get something done.

I worked on a secret book for a secret someone (more on that later) and then when I did all I could with that, I made some mini-books with my new dies, and then did a page for Addison with some new glitter papers that she "oohed" and "awww'd" over when she saw them last night. I don't normally like or buy glitter stuff - too messy - but did not realize these were glittery when I ordered them. But they will be great for her pictures and she really likes them.

anyway...will try to post pictures of all this stuff later.











I'll have to start another post to post other pictures...











update: The book I worked on was for Patrick's teacher's end of year gift. Could not post this until school was out and she had it.

Thursday, 4/22/10, and Friday 4/23/10

I'm writing this a week later...not really sure what we did. I know Thursday night, Patrick had soccer practice.

Friday, Donna came over and we had Arby's for dinner. Patrick stayed home so I brought food home for him. Ty went to Larry's. Travis was at a birthday party for Matt Jones...

that's about it.

Wednesday, 4/21/2010

Happy Birthday Grandma. She would have been 91 today. I miss her. I wish she had known Addison. I wish Addison had known her.

After I brought Addie home today, we played outside in the backyard for a long time. I also took a bunch of pictures of her. We had a lot of fun playing soccer and watering the flowers and running barefoot through the grass (she did). oh, and drinking dr pepper!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Patrick had soccer practice this evening. Donna came and met us at the park and we took Addison for a walk during practice. I need to start getting some exercise...the 40s are not being very kind to me. Or is it the fact that I sit in from the computer all day and half the night?

Monday, April 19, 2010

Fifteen years ago today I was sitting with my 7 month old baby, glued to the TV and crying...Oklahoma City had a huge explosion - an act of terrorism - and many innocent people, including children, died. I could not comprehend taking a child to daycare and having them die w/in the hour. Such a senseless loss. I was stunned. How can this happen in America??

I had the opportunity to visit the site of the bombing and the memorial years later, after Patrick was born. If I find the photos on a disk, I'll post them later. I have to say, of all the historical places I have been in my life, this was the most moving. The hardest part of being there was seeing the child-sized chairs for the children who died. I can't even imagine.

and I'll never forget.

oh, and just for the record...Patrick went for a stroll in the reflection pool. I was mortified! :)

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Today was even wetter and lazier than yesterday. I just don't get much done when the weather is bad allllll dayyyyyy longggggg. Just zaps me. worked a couple of hours overtime and did some of my project life catch up today.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

It was a slow, lazy, rainy (all day) Saturday. I stayed home with Addison while Patrick had a soccer game and it figures...he SCORED. First time this season. AND they won the game. and I missed it. I'm so bummed.


Addie and I went and picked up photos and got groceries later in the day. It never stopped raining!

folded a BUNCH of laundry today. I think our clothes are reproducing in the laundry hamper or something....

Friday, April 16, 2010

Ty took the day off today to get a bunch of things done that needed to be done....like take me to lunch...pick up the kids for me...take all the kids (and Jake) to the race at TMS (thanks for the tickets, Pep!).

I was going to scrapbook while they were gone, but did not get around to it. Figures. They were not gone long enough for me to get to it. I went and got a bite to eat and then came home and folded some laundry. I had just come into my office to start cropping and heard Ty's truck pull in. Oh well, I'm signed up to crop next week...

I heard on the radio today that it is the "hard" deadline for the Census. I have not even opened the envelope. Guess I'd better get that out and fill it out and mail it tomorow. For someone who spent so many hours in the library in the 90s looking at microfiche Census records doing geneaology, you would think I would have done that by now....

Thursday, Apr 15, 2010

work work work...seems like that is all I ever do.

It was a rough morning leaving addison again today. Just breaks my heart when she is saying "Mama, will you stay and play with me? or Mama, don't leeeeaaavvvveee me."

I did play a little bit today...with my Epic. Made this mini book. No pictures in it yet...but isn't it cute?? :)

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

it's my birthday...it's my birthday...it's my birthday (big deal!). Today is the
15th annivesery of my 29th birthday. Wow...I just realized that when my Mom turned 44, I had just graduated from high school. and I was the baby. I am the baby! :) maybe I shoulda' started earlier...

I took the day off. I'd tell you what I did, but then I would have to kill you. But it was a good day filled with good people and lots of crazy animals! :) But I can't tell you about it. Maybe later.


Ty was going to grill steaks for me tonight, but we ended up at Lina's. :)

here's a hint...




















Ok, so I took the day off and took the kids to the zoo. I called them in sick at school. Shame on me!

We had a really good day! Had pancakes at the Pancake place that I went to on University and then to the zoo.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

(note to self: Never blow out candles again...you look horrible!!)

When I went to pick up Addison this afternoon, she blurted out something that I could not quite tell what she was talking about...she was SO excited. Finally figured out she and Mom made me a cake for my birthday.

Tonight Mom cooked dinner for us for my (early) birthday, spaghetti. It was really good and I ate way too much.


This week, Addison has been going through a separation anxiety phase. It's breaking my heart. She does NOT want me to leave her at Oma's in the morning. If she was in daycare, i would be wondering what they were doing to her to make her start acting that way all of a sudden.

She loves to watch Mom's neighbor leave her on motorcycle every morning when we get to Oma's!

MONDAY, April 12, 2010

Finished our taxes today...getting a refund, which will in turn go straight to pay for the air conditioning unit that we got last summer. Bummer, but at least now we can pay for it! :)

We went to Abuelos for dinner tonight to celebrate my birthday early. I hate to say it, but their Durango burrito just ain't what it used to be. But their queso is still great, and their hot sauce is my favorite.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

I worked all day today so I can take off Wednesday...it's my birthday!!

oh and by the way, Travis came in 2nd place at the races...it's his first race this year!

Texas Stadium was a football stadium in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. Built to replace the aging Cotton Bowl, it was the home field of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, and had a seating capacity of 65,675. The stadium opened on October 24, 1971.

In 2009, it was replaced as home of the Cowboys by the $1.15 billion Cowboys Stadium, which completed construction and officially opened on May 27, 2009 in Arlington, Texas.[1] The stadium was demolished by controlled implosion on April 11, 2010.

Friday, April 9, 2010 The Epic Revolution Saga

Years ago, I splurged and bought a Quickutz Revolution die cut machine. Never regretted the purchase, love the machine, use it often (when I crop).

Back in November (2009), they came out with a limited edition holiday set called Santa's workshop. It was a "to die for" set of 3 mini album's, different page inserts, an alphabet, different shapes...just everything you need to make 3 different sizes of mini books. I did not even have to think twice. I justified the purchase and ordered it immediately. Also, never a regret. Until I got it out to use it. Unbeknownst to me at the time, there was a die stuck to the bottom of the magnetized plate and when I tried to cut another die, it got stuck because of the die underneath that I did not realize was there, until it was too late. So, I broke the machine.

I emailed QK because they have the reputation of great customer service and I told them what happened and they said it is probably the gears, which could be replaced for free. Wow, what luck! I had Ty open it up and he determined that yes, it was the gears. They said no problem, they could replace them. I waited..and waited, and the gears never came. I emailed again and they said "oh, those are on back order...it will be 3 weeks. So I waited some more. 4 weeks later, I emailed again. This time, they said, "oh, those are not manufactured anymore...we can't get them. But we will offer you our new Epic machine for half price." I was not happy. Why on earth did you tell me you would replace for free something that is not even made anymore? On the 1 hand, we are watching every penny and I can't justify another $45 on top of what I had already spent on the new dies. And Christmas and Pat' birthday are right around the corner. On the other hand, if I don't buy it, then I cant use ANY of the dies I have...old or new. I find it very frustrating that they have a machine that has a lifetime warranty and now they can't get the parts for it. NOT happy!!

Fast forward to January. I wait until after CHA and nothing newer and better comes out, so I decide to bite the bullet and get it. They tell me I have to send in the old machine to get the new one. WHY? The old machine is HEAVY. and it's broken and they don't have the parts to fix it...so why? They said they would send me the die of my choice since I am paying to ship it. Okay. So, I ship it...and wait a week or so and hear nothing, so I email again to see if they received it. Oh yes, they have it...but they don't have any Epic's in the warehouse. WHAT? how does that happen? So, I wait some more...weeks and weeks...but finally, THIS WEEK..Tuesday, to be exact, it arrived! my EPIC is FINALLY here. and look what I made already!





STill not happy with QK customer service, but like they say at McDonald's...I'm lovin' it!! :)

ladies who lunch - April 10, 2010

Addison and I went and picked up Carole after the soccer game today and met "the ladies" for lunch. This is a group of woman that I used to work with at Harris. Some are still there, some have moved on, and some (lucky) are retired! I don't get to get out much, so I really enjoy the time when I do.

In attendance today were Carole, myself, Addison, Rosella, Alma (?), Linda, and Jamie. We were missing Bev and Gloria and probably others, but we had a good time and missed them! We met at the Old Pancake House on University in Fort Worth. Apparently it's been there "forever" but it was my first time to go there. I did not have breakfast because I figured if I got pancakes, I'd be hungry again when I got home. As it was, I had chicken fried steak and then did not eat the rest of the day!

Prior to lunch, Patrick had a soccer game. It was probably their most exciting game to date, but they lost in the end.

After lunch, Addison took a long nap and then we visited with Tracy K (she was dropping off Josh to visit Travis) and her mother, Evelyn. After that, Addie and I played outside (4-wheeler) and inside (trains and blocks).

I was tired by 10 and we went to bed.

Travis and Josh and Patrick and Ty went to the races. Travis raced. I'll find out how he did tomorrow.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Does the laundry EVER end? No matter how much or how often I wash, there is ALWAYS more. ALLLLLWAAAAYYYYSSSS!!!

and don't get me started on the dishes.

I'm just so tired of it all......

Wednesday, 4/7/10

Ty grilled burgers for us for dinner...I tried making homemade fries. They were okay...tasted more like pan fries.

Addison and I played outside after work/school. Talked to Tracy...they are coming to town this weekend. Josh is going to stay with us.

I got my Epic out and "played" a little bit with it. So glad to finally have it!

TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 2010

Ty got off early today and we went to the city offices to sign the papers for the street widening project. They are going to be widening the rest of our street and adding sidewalks...I have been waiting for this to happen since we bought our house in 1996. Unfortunately, it did not happen before Travis made it to middle school (which is at the other end of our street) but Patrick and Addison will benefit. Anyway, they are removing our septic system from our front yard, and putting us on city sewer in exchange for the right of way for the sidewalks (rather than paying us a cash payment for the land, they are hooking us up to city sewer, something they told us years ago would cost $17,000, when they widened the road in front of our house for the fire station.

After that, we picked up the kids, and then got home just in time to get Patrick to his soccer game. I took Addie over to feed the ducks and also to the park during the game. They won this game! First game all year. I checked the standings before this game and they were in last place...don't know if this game helped that.

After the game, we came home and got Travis and went to Cici's for the soccer fundraiser. Love those cinnamon rolls!!

Monday, Apr 5, 2010

Work, School, soccer practice. Addison was asleep before I got her home today. She slept until dinner time and was back in bed by 10. She spent a lot of time outside with Oma today.

Sunday, April 4, 2010, Easter Sunday

Ty's parents and sister are out of town today.

We got up and Addison found her basket. Then we went out to the kitchen and she had I dyed eggs. She was very good...like she had done it before (it was her first time). She was very good about not splashing and really only made 1 big splash. She was very careful and seemed like an old pro. She did her 3 eggs and then redyed some others.

I made breakfast for the kids. Ty had cereal.

She and Pat then hunted eggs.

We went to Mom's for Easter dinner this afternoon. She had a visit from the Easter bunny too, the kids all got baskets. We had a nice lunch (ham/brisket and the trimmings) and I brought a chocolate cake and mom had Coconut cake and cheesecake.
The kids had an egg hunt. Oh, when Addison went out and found her "basket" (which was actually a block wagon with some candy/grass in it, the JOY on her face was just magic. She was soooo excited. I got a picture of it, but wish I had video. It was priceless. It's the reason we have kids. Moments like that. Just unbridled happiness in her eyes. It was precious. Here's the picture when she first got sight of it...

and when she got over to it...




it's a moment i don't want to forget.

It's such a shame that we, as humans, outgrow that...seeing things for the first time. That's probably the best thing about having kids in my book...seeing things new again through their eyes. That was the biggest bonus I got from having Travis...it was the first time I had experienced it. I was never around young kids growing up. It's a big parenting bonus! THAT's why we are sleep deprived and broke all the time and make the sacrifices we do...so we can expeirence THAT!

April 3, 2010

Eater Egg Hunt. Centerpoint Church. Margie and I made a point to go early because last year it was crowded and you could not park. This year we went early, parked down the street, and walked up...to an empty parking lot. At 9:45. Started at 10. oh well...the walk did me good.

Addison and Patrick came to this hunt. It was great because they staggered the times and as parents, you got to watch all the kids, not send the older ones off by themselves. It was great! So, Addison's group went first. She "found" a lot of eggs. She is more interested in watching others pick them up than how many she can get. I had to stop myself from putting them in the basket for her. She got quite a few, though, and even got a prize egg!! Yea Addison!

Patrick had a hunt next...he and Michael worked together and then split the eggs amongst themselves, all by themselves, and there was no arguing. it was great! I was proud of them.

There were bounce houses that both the kids played on also. And free food/drinks. It was a really nice hunt.

I decided when my kids outgrow these things, I should volunteer to give back for them doing them "for us."

Afterwards, we came home and Addison had a nap and I worked. Later, Ty and the boys went to the races and Donna and I took addison and did some last minute bunny shopping and had some dinner. She was asleep when we got home, so I did not get to dye eggs with her.

I straightened up a little and then when the guys got home, Patrick stayed up with me and we dyed eggs and filled plastic ones. we saved a few eggs for Addison to dye in the morning. Patrick and I stayed up until 1:45 a.m. He's such a good sport!