Happy to be Home!

We got home from our mini getaway and the boys were thrilled we were home. The boys and Kuma were so excited. And it's definitely great to be home. We really missed the boys! We had a great time, but it was the first time we were really away from them more than over night - so it was tough.

We wanted to bring the boys home something, but didn't want to bring them toys. So we brought them Toy Story 3 for the Xbox (which they loved) and pajamas. They all love pajamas - so it was a great treat.

Ben, Will and Andy posing for me in their new pj's

Will and Ben got matching shark pj's and Andy got footed pj's (which he LOVES).

Ben, Will and Andy

Precious!

Ben :)

Will (sweet ...)

Andy (being silly - dancing : )

Ben, Will and Andy being silly!

San Antonio / kids

David and I have had very little time alone in the almost 8 years we have been married and desperately needed a little getaway. So ... our FANTASTIC babysitter (and friend) kept our boys for 3 nights and 4 days so David and I could go on vacation. We are truly thankful!

While we were away, we wanted the boys to have fun too - and that they did. Jamie took them to McDonald's, to Chuck e' Cheese, to a birthday party (for one of Ben's friends), to Church .... and the coolest - was on their very first boat ride. Jamie, her brother and her parents took the boys on their boat. They were thrilled and had a great time.

Ben, Andy & Will ready to go ...

Andy and Will : )

Andy ..

Will (he's so silly : )

Will on the boat ....

Andy ....

Will. Looks like he's having fun, doesn't it?

I would say "YES"...

Andy ...

Ben :)

Andy ...

Will (all smiles & thumbs up : )

Andy, Ben & Will ...

Ben & Will watching Joel (Jamie's brother) waterski ....

Ben playing in the water while Joel ski's

Andy, of course, had to touch the water too...

Andy and Jamie on the tube ....

Andy & Jamie.

They were going pretty slow w/Andy. As you can see - Jamie could sit up w/o holding on : )

Ben, Will & Jamie getting some wind ....

Ben, Will & Jamie. Jamie said the boys kept saying "faster, faster."

Andy & Joel

(you see Ben, Will & Jamie on the tube in the background)

Andy & Joel

Andy LOVES Joel!

Andy, Ben & Will

Heading home from a fun day on the boat.

We are so very thankful for Jamie and her family. It is so great, to feel complete peace and trust and know I can leave my boys with Jamie at anytime and they will be well taken care of. I never worry and I love that! Jamie has been babysitting for us since she was 13 (she'll be 18 in September) - and she truly has been the greatest blessing to us. We love her dearly and so do the boys!

I am thankful she kept the boys and gave David and I this much needed time together. We love you Jamie!

Happy Father's Day to MY Daddy!

EVERYTHING DAD

A little girl needs her daddy

To love her with manly charm,

To soothe her when she’s hurt,

And keep her safe from harm.

A girl needs her dad

To show her a man who’s good,

To help her make right choices,

As only a father could.

A woman needs her father

Just to be aware,

He’ll always be there for her

To sustain her and to care.

You’ve been all these things, Dad.

I hope that you can see

How much I treasure you;

You mean everything to me.

- Author Unknown

*******

This year on Father's Day I am especially grateful. My daddy is recovering from a pretty bad car accident and he is doing really well. I am so proud of him! He's strong, determined and so happy to be home healing.

As I was growing up, I often took for granted that my daddy was always around. It was something that I just always expected because it was how our family was. My daddy worked hard for my mom and his family. He never complained about having to go to work and take care of us. He loved us and we knew it! My daddy loves my mom and has always taken care of her ..... for the last 50 years. He's sacrificed his whole life so his wife and children would be happy and taken care of. I always had a stable home. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I have the most amazing father and mother and I am truly thankful! 

Happy Father's Day, Daddy! I love you!

Will's Road Rash

Will was out riding his bike (as he does almost daily) and he and another neighborhood boy collided. Will went face first onto the concrete. I was outside in our driveway and heard him crying. I really thought something was broken. It was pretty scarey! Luckily - he only had this road rash on his face and he's ok. He was so sad and upset that he crashed. My sweet boy ..... he was worried about the other little boy he collided with (who was also ok).  It's amazing how Will is always the one who falls and takes the crashes. Hopefully his face heals and doesn't leave a nasty scar.

Early Father's Day!

We will be out of town over Father's Day Weekend - so I wanted to make sure I spent sometime w/my daddy before we left. The boys and I took lunch and gifts over to him today!

It's the first time the boys have seen him since he got out of the hospital. They were alittle startled by the oxygen and all the bruises (as you can see my dad didn't have his shirt on). They were afraid to hug him because they didn't know if they would hurt him. Once I told him he was ok and he showed them he was ok - they warmed up. It was difficult for them to see him that way .... afterall he's their PAPA! They love him so much and they have been so worried about him.

We enjoyed lunch and gave him his gifts (a body pillow, a heart rate monitor and pictures of the boys). Not real fun gifts - but necessary.

He's doing much better! Still sore and has a hard time getting around, but he's recovering. And Praise GOD - he's not smoking and doesn't have the desire to smoke! I am so thankful!

Will, Daddy, Andy, Me and Ben

Kuma's pool ....

Every year we buy Kuma one of these little pools so she'll have it to endure the heat of the summer. Although she's inside 98% of the time - She loves it! She'll get in for a few minutes, get a drink of water and get out. She does it many times a day.

What I think is funny - is that the boys love it too. They play in it as much as she does. Who needs a big expensive pool when you have a few small pools and a water sprinkler? : ) This day our neighbors son was over playing with us ..... and of course Daddy had to get in on the fun!

David, Andy (green shirt next to David), Neighbors son (Blue shirt), Ben (in the pool) and Will (in red shirt)

Too cute not to post ...

A friend forwarded this to me and I had to re-post because it is definitely the definition of my relationship with my animals .....

______________________

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats:

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible.I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years - canine/feline attendance is not required.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't smoke or drink,
(7) don't want to wear your clothes,
(8) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(9) don't need a gazillion dollars for college

Boys will be boys!

There was nothing special about this day! I just thought it was cute how the three of them were sitting at the table, drawing and playing together - and I had to snap a picture!

The boys love their daddy and they love to spend time with him. He's so important to them and I'm so very thankful for that! I am thankful my boys want his approval and they want to be with him to share the good and bad that happens in their day.

David, Ben and Andy



Feeling a little WICKED?

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE musicals. I plan my summer early and buy tickets the minute they go on sell. I LOVE, love, LOVE musicals!

I have been wanting to see WICKED for a few years now. The last two times I went to NY I tried to get tickets - but it was sold out both times. So when I found out it was coming this summer - I knew I had to get tickets. I, of course, bought them w/in hours of going on sale to the public. I got great seats, but not as close as I like. We were in the Orchestra, Middle, Row U. But I'm not complaining. The show was absolutely phenominal! It definitely lives up to the reviews. I can't wait to see it again. The next time I am in NY - I will definitely see it on Broadway!

My girlfriend, Angie, went with me. We did the 2pm matinee show so that we could make a day of it. We had lunch at Desperados on Greenville. One of my favorites! Have been going there for 15 years - so they know me well ..... which I love! We headed to WICKED and then afterwards went to Ozona's for dinner & drinks. We had a fabulous time and can't wait to do it again!

Angie and I at WICKED!

In our seats waiting for curtain time!

The stage before curtain time. Pretty WICKED cool, huh?

Angie and I at Ozona's. We hung out awhile. The weather was pleasant, food and drinks were good.

We had a great time!

Can't wait to see the 2011 Summer Musical Line-up so I can go again next year!

Oma's Visit!

David's mom came to visit this weekend! We had two full days with her, his sister, Claudia, and brother-n-law, Ray. We don't get to see them near enough so we love our time with them.

Oma brought us yummy goodies : )

The first day we went to Lifetime to swim. We, unfortunately, didn't take a camera. But it was big fun!

The second day: They all went to the Science Place.

I stayed behind and went to visit my father in the hospital.

Here they are waiting in the IMAX to see the show.

In picture: Andy, Aunt Claudia, Oma, Ben, Uncle Ray and Will

Oma : )

Ben, Uncle Ray & Will

A family picture (minus me) .....

Oma, David, Claudia, Andy, Will, Ray, and Ben

We all had a really nice visit and can't wait for the next one!

We love you OMA, Aunt Claudia and Uncle Ray!