Huffman House

An explanation

2009-09-29T07:03:00.003-05:00

I thought you might appreciate an explanation for my extended absence.... which is different from my previous extended absences...and who am I talking to anyway, if you actually read this blog, then I'm sure you have come to expect extended absences from me. So as I was saying (or over-saying as the case may be), the reason for my prolonged absence is that I have a NEW JOB! I was at my old company for going on 14 years and due to a variety of circumstances which can only be credited to the creator of all circumstances, I decided to move on and move forward. This is my second week at the "new job" and everything still feels a little awkward. Not bad mind you, actually really great considering that change of any kind is always hard and after being in the same place for THAT long it is even harder. I don't see how people change jobs every 3 years - I don't know if I could do it. I consider myself a fairly free spirit but man I realized what a hermit I can be in some ways too. Getting out of that comfortable skin that I had been living in so long...a challenge for sure.

One of the best parts about my new job is that I have the opportunity to pick Jackson up from school every day. There is something about seeing him running out of the gymnasium door where the sea of car-rider kids wait for their number to be called. He comes bounding out, backpack flying behind and then he looks, his eyes searching the line of cars for that familiar silver shape. There are few tings (aside from that first sip of coffee) that have give me such a palpable sensation as his reaction when he finally sees me and I wave. If I could bottle up that look on his face and the sparkle in his eyes...ugh - I could live an utterly fulfilled and happy life!

Yesterday when I picked him up I asked about his day and had no idea the story that I was about to hear. He had art class and I said "so tell me about art - what did you do?". As close to word for word as I can remember it - this is how the conversation went:
"well mama....say like that your legs didn't work and so you were retired and you lived in Mexico..."
"wait honey start over what did you say?" (because surely I didn't hear right since A. You don't know what it means to be retired and 2. why would we be living in Mexico)
"I said - say that your legs didn't work and you were retired and you lived in Mexico."
Biting my lip to keep from laughing out loud - partly out of humor at how serious he was and partly out of sheer confusion I said "uh...okay - go on"
"so you're retired in Mexico and your legs don't work so you have all the sisters take care of you"
(okay right because NOW the story is making sense!?!?)
"and since the sisters were taking care of you, I wouldn't have anything to do to help so I would go to the silversmith and get a 'milagro'..." (okay are we even talking about ART class anymore - I'm confused!?! He has A brother - not sisterS and while I have one sister, I'm pretty sure she doesn't plan to live in Mexico with me. He used words like 'retired' and 'silversmith' that I don't think he even understands and words like 'milagro' that I'm quite certain I don't understand! PRICELESS!)
"...and then I would get a milagro in the shape of a leg and put it on the miracle tree and then I would bring the other milagro to you and everyone would say 'wow it is a miracle'..."
Through a bitten lip to keep from bursting out laughing I said "so that was what you did in art class??" (you know - just checking to make sure I asked what I thought I asked)
"yeah...we're gonna finish tomorrow."

And with that - the story was over. I resisted the urge to call the school and ask for the phone number of his art teacher....and her parole officer who should know about her recent drug relapse.

Kids - I tell ya...if it isn't the look on their faces that melts your heart it is their stories that leave you in stitches. Either way - it is really good and really cheap therapy when you are feeling a little out of sorts...like me.

NOTE - I did go home and check that he wasn't completely in left field and "milagro" does mean "miracle" in Spanish. Not that it explains his Mexican retirement plan and strange injury tree - but I'm just saying.

First Day of College

2009-09-07T14:17:00.008-05:00

Just thought I would go ahead and admit how long it took me to make this first day of kindergarten post since he might be in college by the time you read it. It was an awesome milestone and being the perpetual crier that I am, I was very surprised and proud that I didn't even shed a tear (cue the flying pigs). The only time I got a lump in my throat was when I heard the principal come on the intercom for the morning announcements and pledge of allegiance. We were walking back to the car and we could hear him on the outside speakers. Just made it all seem so real and so "old". But no actual tears (cue the devil's home freeze over). Truth be told there were probably two reasons for my ability to keep it together, one was that I was WAY too busy taking an obsessive amount of pictures to cry over later (I'm only subjecting you to the highlights) and Jackson could not have been more excited. When I went into his room to get him up, he was already awake and said to me "mommy this is the day that I've been waiting for"...I don't know where he gets his dramatic tendencies (ahem).

We had our first day of school breakfast - the requested "triple stack" pancakes

Then we went outside to take the obligatory first day of school pictures. These are just a few of the ones before his smile started to take on that "I'm smiling because I have to" look.

We woke Gavin up at the very last minute and he couldn't quite decide what all the fuss was about with pictures and pancakes but everyone seems so excited so he thought - hey I'm game for whatever.

Then it was off to the school and into the cafeteria to wait for the teacher to come get them (the standard morning routine). Jackson has a boy from his baseball team in his class and was excited to have him to sit next to while he waited.

Then Mrs. McNulty came and took the class down the hall and back to her room. Once there, they put stuff away in their lockers and Jackson showed some chivalry by helping his lockermate Ashley put her backpack away. Mrs. McNulty started the day with a little playdough and Jackson was excited about that. I tried not to linger too long since CLEARLY he didn't need me.

I could hardly WAIT for the end of school to pick him up. Normally he will be a "car pick up kid" so I let him follow the usual instructions of going to the gym (all the while his camera crazy mom snapping pictures). Then I just walked into the gym and got him. I was so proud of him and he just handled it all like a pro.

The first day of school has turned into the first week and he absolutely loves it! Thanks Mrs. McNulty - you're the best!

Meet The Teacher

2009-08-27T12:06:00.001-05:00

I know school started last Monday but is anyone reeeeeally surprised that I'm running about a week behind on posting pictures on my blog.... uh yeah - didn't think so. At any rate, last week we had "Meet the Teacher" for Kindergarten and it was great.

Jackson got Mrs. McNulty and she seriously is the sweetest teacher. She told us that her grandson was named Jackson so she knew she would remember him. When we arrived, she had a "Treasure Hunt" word game for the kids to play to get to know the room including their lockers, their cubby, and table. It ended with a little treat bag in her library section.

Jackson was so excited about the whole thing and it was cracking me up that he kept referring to it by the "full" name - "Bridlewood Elementary Broncos". He really couldn't wait until Monday to have his first day of Kindergarten. Pictures and a post on that coming soon...but be warned the pictures were slightly borderline obsessive....okay yes - obsessive - but again is anyone reeeeeally surprised - uh yeah I didn't think so!

The Minor Leagues

2009-08-25T06:05:00.004-05:00

Normally I have long sinced moved on and am eagerly awating the first football game of the year but for the first time in a long time, it is about to be September and I find myself still interested in baseball. Our team has a chance to make it into the playoffs...try explaining "the Wild Card" race to a 5 year old sports junkie (another post for another time). We seem to have a good minor league system and have developed some good young players. As I undertand it, the minor leagues of baseball are set up as follows: Single A - Double A - Triple A - Big Leagues (Majors).

With that long and seemingly unrelated opening, I spent some time in the "minor leagues" myself this past weekend. No not baseball - photography. A dear friend of mine is pregnant with twins and on bed-rest at a local hospital. She has brilliantly survived six weeks of this and aside from the obvious limitations, I got to thinking that one thing she would be missing is getting some maternity pictures taken. So I offered my ultra minor league photography skills, which I assured her were somewhere in the Single A category...although one could argue that my camera, in more capable hands, could bat clean up in the majors - but enough with the sports analogies. I took over a hundred pictures and I think we really hit a home run on a few of them (okay sorry - last one I promise). Below are a handful of my own favorites.

(Keep in mind that these are just image captures and haven't been edited for the best quality)

And now a word from Andy Stanley

2009-08-19T06:10:00.003-05:00

My husband and I not too long ago led a video Bible study on direction by Andy Stanley with our church small group. For me he has a way of narrowing it all down and speaking both directly and really practically to my heart. I ran onto this summary of his latest book and I can't wait to go get it! I love to read but my life right now leaves very little time for pleasure reading...except for books on tape due to the ridiculous amount of time I spend in my car. I'm going to see if this one is out on tape and if not I may have to just get it anyway and make the time to read it. I don't know about you but there were some words even in this short summary that I really needed to hear!!

* Direction–not intention–determines our destination.
* You don’t have problems to fix; you have directions that need to change.
* Our problem stems from the fact that we are not on a truth quest…We are on a happiness quest. We want to be (as in feel)happy. And our quest for happiness often trumps our appreciation for and pursuit of what’s true.
*Choosing the right path begins with submission, not information…Specifically, submission to the One who knows where each path leads, as well as where it doesn’t lead.
*Don’t trust your heart, trust God with your heart.
*God’s will for your life will always line up with his law, his principles, and his wisdom.
*It is next to impossible to hear the voice of wisdom if we are not really listening for it to begin with.
*What gets our attention determines our direction and,
ultimately, our destination.
*…the principle of the path in 3 words:attention, direction, destination
*The things you give your attention to function as the directional beacon for your life.
*When we resist God’s will for our lives, we are in essence resisting God. When we resist the priorities he has established for us through Scripture, we resist him.
*Knowing doesn’t make the difference. Doing does.

July Trip Part 2

2009-08-04T12:35:00.003-05:00

Yes there was an actual part 2 to our trip and just pretend that these posts were only a day apart (you can do it - try). We left Great Grandma Kelly's and went out to the farm...where my other side of the family lives. This is a true family farm and has been in our family for 6 generations. I have been going out in the summer for harvest since I was a kid and I have only missed a couple of summers. I was talking to a colleague here in Dallas and said I was "going to Kansas for harvest" and he said "oh - what kind of festival is that?". Silly city people....harvest is not a festival it is HARVEST as in 'harvesting the crops'. Honestly that comment is part of the reason I go out there. It is a part of who I am, who my family is, and that kind of life and those kind of people....simple, smart, hard working, don't complain...that is what I want my kids to see - THAT kind of life. Honestly though, one of the main reasons I go is to spend time with my family. We are a close knit group and I couldn't think of a better way to spend my vacation then investing in my own heritage. I just love to listen to my Grandma and Granddad talk, laugh, tell stories. I am one of the few lucky people at my age who still has healthy active grandparents....and I just want to soak myself and my kids in every ounce of them that I can!

This year the "soaking up" included a new favorite game of Jackson's that is as entertaining to watch as it is to play...Old Maid. Granddad's facial expressions and overall card dramatics were priceless and we ended up playing it every night. We didn't get to ride horses this time as they are down to one horse and due to some sort of illness, it isn't a riding horse anymore. They were just starting to cut the wheat and although it was a little wet still, it looked like it was going to be a good harvest this year...if they could just get it out of the ground. We rode in the combine with my cousin and one of his kids who is close to Jackson's age. She had a 4-H calf that Jackson helped feed - Gavin on the other hand kept his distance. His kind of cow was the stuffed kind which he tried to guard against sharing with one of the other cousins. We also got to go to one of the cousins baseball games, which Jackson could NOT stop talking about and of course we brought our glove in case there were any foul balls. We got our now mandatory picture in the wheat and overall just had a great time! These days the trip does leave me feeling a little tired - like I need a vacation from my vacation but then I look at these pictures and I wouldn't have it any other way! I miss them already!

July Trip ~ Part 1

2009-07-16T09:48:00.003-05:00

I decided that the sheer number of pictures, stories, etc that I have from this trip requires me to break it up in parts (otherwise, let's be honest, I might not get a post done about it). I do want to point out, even if I break my arm patting myself on the back, that I am actually blogging about something in the SAME month that it happened! Are you proud or what!? Once slice of humlbe pie - table 4 please....ummm pie - wait I think I'm loosing my train of thought.

Back to the trip. It was just the kids and me and we left on Friday morning at about noon. Our first stop was at their Great Grandma Kelly's (about 6 hours). They did great on this leg of the trip but after 6 hours in the car (with only one very short potty stop), Gavin was ready to be out of the car - for sure! We had a fun time though at the house, at a local park, and then at a little water area adjacent to a park only a block from her house. Quite a fun filled 24 hours!

School Pictures

2009-07-14T12:49:00.004-05:00

Can you believe it - two days in a row...pace yourself Kara blogging is a marathon not a sprint. Oh who am I kidding, if it was a marathon I would be dead on the side of the blog at mile 13 (okay mile 7...okay so it might be mile 5 but I am in much better shape these days!!). If you are keeping track (you know who you are) this is TWO DAYS IN A ROW that I am posting something. One could argue that being gone from blogging for so long I have lots to post about and while one might be right, one might also just quit analyzing it and enjoy the post! One might also quit talking in obscure tenses where it is difficult to read... yes I know.

Wanted to share this year's "school pictures" that I got recently from J&G's school. There weren't a lot of choices so if you are wondering why I would select a picture of Jackson where he looks like he's grown an ivy tail and is participating in the world's most elite smile staring contest, just know that it was the only one I got. He redeemed himself (or at least his smile) in the picture with his brother...but let's talk about that brother...is it just me or does he look like he is about six years old in his individual picture!?! If I had any misconception that I still had a baby because I could legitimately still count his age in months - that was out the window when I got these pictures. The 'cap & gown' picture killed me too...mainly because it reminded me of what he said as we were driving home from the little graduation ceremony they had. We were no more than out of the parking lot and he asked "so...do I start Kindergarten tomorrow morning??". He is so excited and I am glad that we only have just over a month to wait!!

"Life Happens" and then you Blog...

2009-07-13T12:29:00.003-05:00

I have come out of my blogging hiatus to bring you the following: I would like to title the picture on the right below as "I Fought the Cabinet and the Cabinet Won". While I won't bore you with the incidents that surround this unfortunate picture, I will tell you that the past couple of weeks will forever be known as "The Bloody Nose of 2009". Poor Gavin!

Being ever so smart for his mere 19 months of age, he has employed a new security system....and yes I suppose I should tell him that he has it on backwards but it wouldn't be nearly as cute!

Overall, he rebounded well though and continues to seek out healing waters (also known as any pool - or "pooo" as he says). He LOVES the water and is enjoying his summer. I will hopefully have more pictures from our harvest trip (and no it is not a festival - it is actual harvest you city people) coming soon.

Many apologies for the long hiatus, as I like to say "life happens and THEN you blog". Thanks for staying tune....uh hello....Bueller?...Bueller?....anyone there???? (crickets chirping)

Picture Pages

2009-04-06T00:20:00.001-05:00

Since I seem to be developing this terrible habit of taking long hiatuses (is that a word?) between posts, I thought I would attempt to redeem myself. On a side note (man, one sentence into this post and I am already derailing myself - further proof of my lack of literary prowess....except I did just use the words "literary prowess" - that's gotta count for something right? Okay now I'm just talking to myself...actually - worse I am typing out my conversation with myself - okay stop it...seriously back on track - or at least back to the side note)... did anyone else read the title of the blog and start singing to themselves the little jingle "Picture pages, picture pages, time to get your picture pages, time to get your crayons and your pencils"....No? No one watching "educational television" in the late 70's early 80's??? Okay yeah - me neither! hmmm....

Now, I do know the hierarchy of the blogging world, particularly as it relates to my own little corner of cyberspace. Personal stories are above copied ones, kid stories are above adult stories, and PICTURES are above all else. So since I wanted to come back from my long absence with a bang, I thought I would post these pictures from our family photo session weekend before last. The pictures were taken by a young up-and-coming photographer who is a friend of a friend and she did a great job, check out her website for more information. She took over 100 photos but these are a few collages I created of my personal favorites. Keep in mind that Jackson was "trying" to smile most of the time (hmmm...) and Gavin, well he's 16 months people - enough said. Even still, my family is truly one of God's greatest blessings!

The two "M" words

2009-03-17T12:50:00.002-05:00

I know I know, it's been a long time between posts and no I didn't die from taking another spin class (although I do have my first workout with my new trainer today so stay tune for what I'm sure will be some entertaining recaps on that sweaty endeavor). Today's post is going to be much shorter (you're welcome) but was just something that struck me as funny. It was one of those moments when I had a glimpse into the future of my life as a mother of teenage boys and I couldn't help but be a little sick to my stomach. For those who may not know me well enough, I am a card carrying member of COA (Compulsive Overanalyzers Anonymous) and this is only further triggered around my children when I am trying to figure out if I have in any way lost my chance at a card for the PMA (Perfect Mother's Association).

I picked up my kids from preschool and as we were traveling to and from the grocery store, Jackson asked me a few of his priceless questions. Jackson is always talking, thinking, asking questions - it is just his nature....poor thing - he is just a little too much , well, ME. I am never surprised by the breadth and depth of his questions but sometimes, as in this case, the subject matter does give me a pause. We were driving along with the radio on and out of nowhere he says “Momma, have you ever gotten a mass-ah-judge?”. I ask “A massage?? [brain processing: quick check of the radio – nope nothing about spas or massages….where could he be going with this?] Well, yes, mommy has gotten a massage before”. I know him well enough to know I don’t want to just leave it at that and I add “What made you ask that bud?”. “Well today Patty (girl at school – names changed to protect the innocent) and I were playing and giving each other haircuts and then massages”. The last massage I had was when I was pregnant with him so I have to wonder… “Was this Patty’s idea?”. He says “Yeah, we were just pretending…we mass-ah-judged our backs”. I know Jackson is a very loving kid and is not afraid of showing emotion but kids are inherently innocent so I didn’t know quite how to take this recent development. Always staying on my toes during a Q&A with Jackson I figured I would throw something back for good measure and said “Well remember how Ms. Nina says we need to keep our hands to ourselves so maybe we should just stick to haircuts so we don’t get in trouble.” “Yeah – I know momma”. Okay, well that went well…I guess…no sign of trouble.

Then after going in and out of the store, we were back in the car and headed home. Then this little gem of a question came out… “Momma, the next time I get my hair cut…can I get a mohawk??” I replied “A mohawk? [brain processing: quick check of the radio – nope nothing about rock bands or mohawks….where could he be going with this?] …really?” “Yeah, and then when I walk into Ms. Nina’s class all the boys will say ‘Dude – COOL’ [said with both arms extended into number one signs above his head]". Use of the word 'dude' - is this kid 5 or 15??Trying to maintain my Q&A toe balance, I said “Maybe we could just comb it into a Mohawk after your bath tonight and use some of that cool gel?” “Yeah – and if it breaks during the night then daddy can fix it in the morning”. Oh boy….no literally oh THAT boy!

So as a card carrying COA member, I am currently trying to purge the mental image of my son sometime in the future wearing a mohawk and giving back massages?!?!? I had only one sister growing up so having only boys, I fear we are headed for trouble....big trouble.

And yes….”short post” is a relative term.

You Spin Me Right Round

2009-02-22T08:10:00.002-06:00

A little 80's music reference in the title for ya, but believe me - there was nothing RIGHT about the spinning I did on Friday! I went to the gym on Friday morning as part of my normal ritual but when I got on the treadmill and began to jog, I pressed play on my iPod and I got....nothing. Now let me explain the life shattering implications of this statement. I am one of those people that are figuratively and literally moved by music. Without some sort of encouraging tunes (today I was looking forward to calling on "all the single ladies...all the single ladies") the treadmill becomes some sort of medieval torture device and I become almost entirely void of motivation. Ugh...well now what? Clearly leaving was not an option so I began to look around for what else I could do. As you may know, I am on a weight loss journey and while elated to have lost 23 pounds to date, I seem to be stuck and with sickness and the busy pace of life, I have been holding on that number for a while. With this and the absence of my iPod, I thought one way to add some variety, trick things up a little, and get my much needed music would be to take a class of some sort. So I head over to the studio rooms to see what is on the board. Hmmm....let's see, no- I'm too late for that beginner step class, and no- that next conditioning class starts too late... guess I'll go check out the other studio. Oh my - what are all these people doing in line? Oooh this must be a really good class let's go see what it is....huh "Studio Ride" - well that sounds harmless, let's read the description "Studio Ride classes are fun, athletic, cardiovascular workouts. You’ll burn a ton of calories, get lean, increase lower-body strength and improve your cardiovascular endurance.". Okay - that sounds good I'm in!! I've been wanting to try spin classes so this is perfect! NOTE: You will not see the words 'perfect' and 'spin class' in the same sentence from here forward...I'm just saying.

So I'm not kidding when I say there are about 30 people in line for this class and most of them look in fairly good shape with their bike shaped water bottles in hand, special shoes, and biker shorts. Now thanks to my lovely sister, I am fairly appropriately attired in my Nike workout clothes but I was still feeling a little intimidated already and we hadn't even made it into the door yet. I must have screamed 'first timer' because this very sweet lady behind me in line tried to strike up a conversation about how she had never seen the line this long and hoped there would be enough bikes (I have to admit, part of me was hoping there wouldn't be). I told her that I had never done a spin class before and she launched into a soliloquy about the merits of spinning and how I was going to love it and want to come back over and over (someone drank their purple kool-aid this morning!). All kidding aside I was so glad she was so friendly because it was a mad house when we got in there and she told me where to go, how to move the bike (I won't even go into that awkwardness) and then she helped me set it up. There were no less than four settings on the seat and handles and after all the adjustments, I thought well, this bike's just gonna feel perfect! NOTE: You will not see the words 'feel perfect' and 'bike' in the same sentence from here forward...I'm just saying.

Purple kool-aid girl told me to tell the instructor that it was my first time so I went up and introduced myself. She was very nice, if not over excited (she drinks purple kool-aid by the gallon) and told me to just do what I could, know that the seat would take some getting used to (I'll get to the laughable nature of that sentence in a minute) and just to have fun! So my first sign of real trouble was when the previously friendly instructor turned on the music and welcomed the class by saying "Today we are going to do HILLS...and what do we know about hills? Hills are not easy, hills are not medium, hills are HARD. And I don't want to hear whatever excuse you came in with today because I know you've got them and I'll tell you where you can leave them - right in this trash can (yes she actually had a trash can up there). I don't want to hear it, whatever it is just leave it in there! I know you have it in you today, it's Friday, and it's gonna be 70 degrees today so let's GO!" (I swear to you that is word. for. word.) Where was the sweet person from 5 minutes ago that said to just have fun??!!?? (the kool-aid must have just kicked in). I might have started to cry except I was too focused on trying find a comfortable position on this seat....oh wait did I say seat - I meant jagged ROCK! I had wrongly assumed that since I seemed to have more padding back there then most of these people that the seat would not be such a factor for me. The physics of it all didn't make a bit of sense but suffice to say that I was dead WRONG!! It wasn't until about 30 minutes into the class that I found myself riding without thinking about how to sit. When climbing portions of the hills, she would instruct us to come up out of the 'saddle' (or seat...or rock) and I was so thankful...except that it only hurt that much more when I sat back down. My legs were burning, I was sweating like crazy, my mouth was open sucking in air and then she mercifully told us that this was our last hill. Actually she said "I'm only asking for eleven more minutes...eleven more - what is that - it's nothing!! Now come on find your strength in there and DIG IT OUT". I wanted to scream back 'please stop yelling at me, this is my first time' but she had already given the 'don't go get your excuses out of this trash can' speech so I just closed my eyes and kept moving my legs. My 'friend' had to leave the class a little early and gave me some encouraging words as she left and said she hoped to see me back next Friday (she must be assuming I have no short term memory). After the class was over, I could already feel soreness in places where no person should be sore! I managed to drag my bike back to its place which gave the instructor time to catch me as I was going out. She asked me what I thought and I quickly tried to come up with something positive that wasn't a lie and sputtered "it was a really good workout". She said "well you did great - I saw you working and most first timers don't make it through an hour long class". Well why didn't you tell me THAT sooner - was all I could think! I commented on the uncomfortable feeling left by the 'saddle' (she seemed proud of my use of the correct terminology but of course I was thinking JAGGED ROCK) and she said "Well you need to stick with it for about a month and then that feeling will go away". I had to cough to keep from laughing out loud - a month!?!? On the way home, I considered purchasing one of the seat pads she suggested and reflected on the overall experience. Once I got in the house though, I did what any sane person would....I went straight to the computer and CHARGED MY IPOD!

Biggest Game of the Year

2009-01-29T06:20:00.006-06:00

I was "iced in" yesterday so found myself giving the kitchen a thorough cleaning and came upon the article below. My friend has also been waiting for me to do a post on the return of Friday Night Lights (a favorite show of hers and mine). While the Super Bowl is this Sunday and is known as the biggest game of the year, I would argue that this one could take the cake and would make a great episode of FNL!!

There are some games in which cheering for the other side feels
better than winning.
by Rick Reilly

They played the oddest game in high school football history last month down in Grapevine, Texas. It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School and everything about it was upside down.
For instance, when Gainesville came out to take the field, the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through. Did you hear that? The other team’s fans? They even made a banner for players to crash through at the end. It said, “Go Tornadoes!” Which is also weird, because Faith is the Lions. It was rivers running uphill and cats petting dogs. More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name. “I never in my life thought I’d hear people cheering for us to hit their kids,” recalls Gainesville’s QB and middle linebacker, Isaiah. “I wouldn’t expect another parent to tell somebody to hit their kids. But they wanted us to!” And even though Faith walloped them 33-14, the Gainesville kids were so happy that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he’d just won state. Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.
But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field and two and two started to make four. They lined the players up in groups of five—handcuffs ready in their back pockets—and marched them to the team bus. That’s because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility 75 miles north of Dallas. Every game it plays is on the road.
This all started when Faith’s head coach, Kris Hogan, wanted to do something kind for the Gainesville team. Faith had never played Gainesville, but he already knew the score. After all, Faith was 7-2 going into the game, Gainesville 0-8 with 2 TDs all year. Faith has 70 kids, 11 coaches, the latest equipment and involved parents. Gainesville has a lot of kids with convictions for drugs, assault and robbery—many of whose families had disowned them—wearing seven-year-old shoulder pads and ancient helmets.
So Hogan had this idea. What if half of our fans—for one night only—cheered for the other team? He sent out an email asking the Faithful to do just that. “Here’s the message I want you to send:” Hogan wrote. “You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth.”Some people were naturally confused. One Faith player walked into Hogan’s office and asked, “Coach, why are we doing this?” And Hogan said, “Imagine if you didn’t have a home life. Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you.”
Next thing you know, the Gainesville Tornadoes were turning around on their bench to see something they never had before. Hundreds of fans. And actual cheerleaders! “I thought maybe they were confused,” said Alex, a Gainesville lineman (only first names are released by the prison). “They started yelling ‘DEE-fense!’ when their team had the ball. I said, ‘What? Why they cheerin’ for us?’” It was a strange experience for boys who most people cross the street to avoid. “We can tell people are a little afraid of us when we come to the games,” says Gerald, a lineman who will wind up doing more than three years. “You can see it in their eyes. They’re lookin’ at us like we’re criminals. But these people, they were yellin’ for us! By our names!” Maybe it figures that Gainesville played better than it had all season, scoring the game’s last two touchdowns. Of course, this might be because Hogan put his third-string nose guard at safety and his third-string cornerback at defensive end. Still.
After the game, both teams gathered in the middle of the field to pray and that’s when Isaiah surprised everybody by asking to lead. “We had no idea what the kid was going to say,” remembers Coach Hogan. But Isaiah said this: “Lord, I don’t know how this happened, so I don’t know how to say thank You, but I never would’ve known there was so many people in the world that cared about us.” And it was a good thing everybody’s heads were bowed because they might’ve seen Hogan wiping away tears.
As the Tornadoes walked back to their bus under guard, they each were handed a bag for the ride home—a burger, some fries, a soda, some candy, a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player. The Gainesville coach saw Hogan, grabbed him hard by the shoulders and said, “You’ll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You’ll never, ever know.” And as the bus pulled away, all the Gainesville players crammed to one side and pressed their hands to the window, staring at these people they’d never met before, watching their waves and smiles disappearing into the night.
Anyway, with the economy six feet under and Christmas running on about three and a half reindeer, it’s nice to know that one of the best presents you can give is still absolutely free.
Hope.

Sometimes there is crying in football right??!!

Picture Challenge

2009-01-19T06:46:00.005-06:00

I was reading my sweet friend Heather's blog and she issued a picture challenge. I am posting from work so I was a little afraid of what my choices might be but I must admit that the picture made my heart smile. I followed her directions and below is the picture I landed on:

The picture was part of a collection of pictures I used to make one of those photo bracelets for my Grandma (Jackson's Great Grandma). I needed ones that had good clear pictures of the kids faces and weren't too big. Clearly, Jackson's love of sports started at an early age, I think he was about 18 months in this picture. Eric had taken him to visit his twin sister in west Texas and her husband had a tennis camp going on that weekend. Perfect entertainment for our little ball boy! The other funny thing about this picture is that I have absolutely NO idea who the little friend is in the background. No relation and not even a friend of a friend. I also think it is funny how Jackson would wear a baseball cap all the time, forwards, backwards, whatever! My other son I can't keep socks and shoes on let alone an unnecessary accessory like a HAT! Oh well - still a cute picture and Heather was right - it seems like forever ago and just yesterday all at the same time!

Wanna play along? Just follow these rules:

1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer

2) Select the 4th picture in the folder

3) Explain the picture

GREAT FUN!

New Twist on an Old Verse

2009-01-15T06:51:00.001-06:00

I got this in an email from my friend StacyA (she is my "anonymous" commenter - come on...you didn't think I would be cool enough to have someone I don't know reading my blog do you?! Silly you!) and thought it was definitely "blog worthy". She had no way of knowing but oh how I needed to read certain parts of this.....{[SIDENOTE: Am I the only one that sometimes finds myself working really diligently towards a goal that seems like a good thing only to realize that isn't the most important thing? I'll talk more about that later.]} Anyway, I know this is meant to be lighthearted but I hope this speaks to you in some way too and puts a new twist on an old verse.

Perspective from 1 Corinthians 13

If I decorate my house perfectly with exquisite flowers, pristine vases, perfectly leveled pictures, and fine rugs, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of cakes, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, sing at the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
If I bake meals for friends in need, attend a myriad of social gatherings, attend church regularly, and sing in the choir, but do not focus on Christ (and share Jesus), I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.

Ocean of Emotion

2009-01-14T08:00:00.011-06:00

I find it so fascinating to watch children learn and deal with their emotions. My children are at completely different ends of the spectrum when it comes to the ocean of emotion. One is just dipping his toes in the surf and mimicking every point of contact that he sees. While the other has his wet suit on and surf board tucked under his arm - staring in awe at the cresting waves all the while keeping in the shallow waters. Both get their emotional cues though from those around them not the least of which is us as parents.

Take for instance with Baby G. He is just starting to really show a personality and on Sunday when we were at the grocery store, just he and I, he kept leaning his head out over the cart towards me and making a "mmmm-mah" sound - for those of you who don't speak Gavinese - that is a big ol' KISS. He did it over and over and it was just so precious that it sent a wave of warm emotion over my heart. So much so that I almost directed my cart to customer service and asked for a copy of their video surveillance of the frozen food section just so I could keep that memory for posterity. Fearing child protective services and the "Code Pink" (crazy lady on premises) on my next visit, I obviously just tried to take a mental picture of him for when he is in the throws of the terrible twos and exhibiting no redeeming qualities what-so-ever! Not to mention that he is exhibiting many of Eric's personality traits so if that continues, I know these unabashed displays of affection will not last forever.

Jackson on the other hand is my loving one. Which unfortunately for him means that he inherited his mommy's ......ahem...."passion" (that is the word that E always uses when he gets the "describe your wife in one word" question). I will admit, it has it's good points and bad points - both of which we have already seen in him. Because I prefer to focus on the positive, both for his sake and for mine, I wanted to tell you a cute story that happened Monday evening. I picked the kids up from school and Jackson was already charged with excitement at the thought of picking up his new battery powered Jeep. He had been checking our email (funny in and of itself) waiting to see when it was available at the store for pick up and just about leapt through the phone when he called to tell me we could pick it up the next day. By the time the store clerk brought it out, he was grinning from ear to ear and almost yelled when he saw the picture on the box "Mommy - it's BLUE!!!" (his favorite color). I admit, I was excited for him and as I got in the car and made my way through the parking lot, I launched into this soliloquy about how much his great grandparents loved him (it was their Christmas gift to the boys) and how he should feel so blessed to have such a generous family and how thankful we should be to God for these blessings, etc. etc. (yeah - I was having one of "those" mom moments). I looked in the rear view mirror both to make sure he was listening and to see that big toothy grin and I was surprised to find him with his hand over his mouth, appearing to be close to tears, and taking these short little breaths. I said "Jackson, what's wrong??" I swear I am not making this up...he looked right at me and said "I'm just...just...filled with joy". Obviously as my son, he has seen me choked up and I've had to explain that people sometimes cry when the are happy. Looking at him, it occurred to me that the hand over his mouth was as much trying not to cry as trying to hold in all joy - he didn't want any to escape. I probably should be embarrassed that this happened over a "toy" but I just took it to mean that he got what I was saying - he literally FELT blessed. Wherever my kids are on that ocean of emotion, I'm happy to grab my own surf board, scuffed as it may be from thirty some odd years of catching waves of my own and meet them right where they are at! As a mom, there's almost nothing that beats getting back some of the emotional energy that you put into your kids! LOVE IT!

Catch up Post #1 - The Haircut

2009-01-11T13:57:00.016-06:00

Well since my oldest son has declared his intent to be the next Vidal Sassoon, I thought I would show you what my youngest thought of his first trip to the salon. It was blissfully uneventful (praise God) and we were the only customer there when the haircut started. In fact, the only time he seemed to even show emotion was for approximately one minute when he dropped the duck he had been holding for security. He looked like such a big boy and took it all in stride....

With brother there to show him the ropes (J reminded me that he wasn't getting his hair cut here - "I go to Sportclips"- mental rolling of the eyes)

The "before" picture....did I really let it get THAT long?

"Hey - check out my new ride!"

"A car, a cape -this place is pretty cool"

The first CUT...

"So pretty much I just sit like this the whole time? Well this is easy!"

"But I dropped my ducky...."

"...oh good, blue ducky is back- continue on with whatever you're doing"

"what about clippers?? - I hadn't even noticed.."

"I'll just look down here while she cuts the back...you know me Mr. Accommodating"

A little gel...and more importantly, a BALLOON!

Tah Dah! ALL DONE!

"Mommy says I'm a pretty handsome fella"

I would say I just got lucky that time but I have been back for another haircut since (remember this is the first of many needed catch up posts)and he was just as unimpressed with it the second time. YEAH! I know I am completely and shamefully biased but who wouldn't love this face!!

A New Year through a Child's Eyes...

2009-01-08T05:59:00.003-06:00

New Year's Eve is different things to different people. For some (early 20's folks), it is a time to go out on the town and kick up your well dressed heels. For others (late 30's crowd), maybe it is a nice dinner with friends and celebrating with the Californians before heading off to bed (ding ding ding - we have a winner!). Have you ever wondered what New Year's eve means to a toddler? Well thankfully the teacher at Jackson's school thought to ask her class about it. When I went to pick him up yesterday, I found the class bulletin board filled with papers where each child answered the questions she asked and she dutifully wrote down exactly what they said. I have talked to her before about another version of this exercise (remind me to tell you later about their "recipes for Thanksgiving" - hilarious) and I know she writes absolutely word-for-word what they say and doesn't try to explain the question in order to get a "right" answer. It's no accident that they used to have a whole television show based on the funny things that kids say because there were some laugh out loud funny responses. Here are Jackson's...

What does New Years Day mean? It is the first day of the first new year. [I know it seems like a straight forward easy question but there were very few kids who "got it". One kid put "It's a day to sleep"...(I'm guessing his parents were over 30 from my examples above and tried to pretend they were still in their early 20's)]
What do you want to do more of at school that you didn't do last year? I want to play more in the morning first. [Okay so my kid who seemed so smart after the first answer now thinks that he should have more time to play....learn - no, improve handwriting - no, better behavior - no... well okay good to know that our expectations are the same - hmmmm]
How old will you be this year? 5 [As all kids do, there were a couple kids who attempted to be more specific and add a "and a half" to their age. I can remember the week after Jackson's fourth birthday he told a neighborhood friend that he was "almost five".... close.]
What is your New Year's resolution for 2009? I want to go to church more. [This could be good or bad....either all his classmates parents will think that we NEVER go to church or we have a church that is so fun and it is back to the whole "more playing" thing again. I chose the later and personally I think it has something to do with the fact that he is only a few "attendance tickets" shy of one of the prizes he thinks is so cool.]
What did you do for New Years? I was sitting and throwing the football. [I didn't glance at the other answers on this very well but I can only hope every other kid's family was being equally as "lazy".]
What would you like to be when you grow up? First I will be a haircutter and then I'm gonna be a football player. [Okay seriously - where to start with this answer...."haircutter" - what!?! First let me say that he has never mentioned it before and I think it is only because of his new found obsession with Sportclips where his teenage cousin got him hooked on - watching sports while doing anything is right up his alley. Secondly, how do I break it to him that I don't know a single beauty school dropout that played football or even vice-versa. I know, I know - I don't break it to him....instead I just smile, chuckle to myself, and file this little paper away to pull out at the football banquet when he is a high school senior and embarrass him mercilessly! Incidentally, the most comment answer from his class was "teacher"...probably because they are lucky enough to have a GREAT one!]

Another post for another day...

2009-01-07T08:37:00.000-06:00

I suppose I should start with an apology for my lengthy absence. I've started this post about one million times in my head. My reason(s) for not putting thoughts to electronic paper is a little bit of thousands of "reasons" which include (and as usual in no semblance of order or sense) thoughts of "who cares - no one is reading it or commenting anyway", "there are way more important things to do", "I'm so busy that my head literally hurts" (side note: I hate the word 'busy' since it is so overused, completely relative, and truth be told could almost always be avoided - but that's another post for another day), "I'm not that funny/interesting/noteworthy/[insert any other self deprecating adjective]", "my problems seem so minor compared to what some of my friends are going through", "I'm sad", "my kids need more of me", "my house is a mess", "I need to go buy one more Christmas gift", "I can't write", "I have 350 pictures that need uploaded and my computer is starting a coup against me and refusing to work at anything above a one-legged turtle's pace".

I am aware that no one was asking for a reason but I know I am not alone in the feeling of always being compelled to justify everything. If someone asks us to do something we can't just say "no I can't", we feel the need to list of our day's itinerary so they can see for themselves and know that we REALLY can't. When someone apologizes, we want them not to just say "I'm so sorry", we want to know "I'm sorry for 'X' and 'Y'" just to make sure that if they didn't know they needed to apologize for 'Z' - well they do now (again - another post for another day). Part of my trouble starting this post was just that - knowing where to start!?! It is sort of like me in my scrapbooking. I have these wonderful pictures in my new camera (OMGoodness - I got a Nikon D90 for Christmas and it absolutely rocks - another post for another day) that I would love to make pages with but the engineer in me feel the need to keep going in order which would mean that I am on year 2 of Jackson's almost 5 years of life. And poor Gavin - I promise mommy will make you a scrapbook too....as a second child myself - I am truly ashamed - ASHAMED!

So there you go - not knowing where to start led to a bunch of rambling and thinking of a thousand things that I want to say... but at least I have let you know that I am still alive in the blogging world, I LOVE your comments, I beg your forgiveness for my hiatus, and I promise to catch you up with the goings on at the Huffman House....but that's another post for another day!

Prayers for Caden

2008-11-13T08:37:00.003-06:00

My neighbors growing up were this dear Christian couple named Ed and Peggy White. Their son Darin is my age and we have known each other since we were four. Darin's son, Caden, is five years old and was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. After much treatment and prayers, he has been living cancer free (Praise God) for the last six months. I just received word that the cancer is back and the new tumor is growing rapidly. The doctors are saying that the cancer has developed immunity to it so additional treatments would be ineffective. We fully believe in the power of God to heal Caden, the doctor's have numbered the time in weeks. Please find your knees and pray mightily for this sweet boy and his wonderful family. I have included a link to his website (CADEN WHITE) and encourage you to go there and read the update from the family as I feel my words are so inadequately expressing the situation. My heart breaks for them and my broken heart seems to render my writing senseless.

Prayers Needed

2008-11-04T16:15:00.003-06:00

I received an email from my sister today that literally stopped me in my tracks. Here I was late to work because I was home with my 11 month old who had both pink eye AND strep throat. Then I get her email about this unimaginably brave young woman named Stephanie and it put my very small problems into perspective.

I am giving you my friend, Stephanie's, website address. www.stephanievest.com. She is the one I told you that was diagnosed with Gamma Delta lymphoma of the skin. She has been through the ringer....kidney problems, dialysis, fluid-filled lungs, feeding tubes, ventilators, congestive heart failure, and last week they found cancer in her liver via a PET scan. She had two diff. forms of chemo. last week, but her liver did not respond to them. Her liver has stopped performing its normal function of ridding her body of toxins and is solely trying to fight the cancer. Thus, her bilirubin is at a 38 and the toxins are going into her body. The average person goes unconscious at a 15, but our Stephanie has been conscious, even singing hymns as her family and friends held a mini church service around her bed yesterday. She even requested bible verses. She also put on her own chapstick yesterday. Jen, she is so amazing and strong, not only as a person but in her faith as well. Please help me pray for a miracle for her. Please pray that God heal her liver, that He rid her body of the cancer and heal her completely, for her husband, Eric, for her to be able to go home and hug her boys, Zach,7 and Cole, 4 and so that her 4.5 month old daughter, Gracie, will be able to know her mommy. My heart is breaking in two for them. At this time, she is in God's hands. So, all we can do is pray, pray, pray.

Please take a moment to pray for her, her family, the doctors, etc. Check out her website too as it is an amazing testimony for her faith.

Costumed Kids

2008-11-03T07:50:00.003-06:00

Like most people last Friday night, we went trick-0r-treating. It was not without drama since Jackson was "strongly opposed" to the grim reaper costumes of a couple of the neighborhood kids but finally he decided that it was fun. Since Gavin isn't walking yet, he just strolled along behind and instead of collecting candy, he just made mental notes for his first official trip next year. I don't have all the pictures yet as I am the only person in the country who still uses a film camera BUT I do have a few quick pics of my costumed kids - ENJOY!

Upping the Intensity...with Pride

2008-10-29T15:47:00.007-05:00

I know I know, it has been a while... but when life gets busy, blogging gets left behind. I did have a weigh in today (our final one for this six week period) and I lost one more pound. My total for the six weeks was 11.5 pounds which is good but I was a little disappointed in my turtle like progress. I was venting to my sister, who by the way is a fitness maniac including running marathonS (yes the S is capital on purpose because while I understand the goal fulfilling part of running ONE - a person must be ever so slightly mentally imbalanced to do it....again). She was trying to help my frustrations over the sluggish weight loss and suggested that I try upping the intensity of my workout. Not that I can't up my intensity (because seriously - besides her - who can't??!!??) but I felt the need to tell her about my trip to the gym last Thursday morning.

So I took the day off to clean/get ready for our annual Halloween party over the weekend which involved 18 people at our house for food, games, and a costume contest. Even though a busy day was ahead and I didn't HAVE to get up for work, I went ahead and got up at my usual 4:30 am and (drum roll please) went to THE GYM! (Pick up your jaw and keep reading..). So I was surprised to find that they actually have CLASSES at this insane hour of the morning. Honestly at first I thought – what idiots are getting up at this hour to work out and then I reminded myself that both my sister and mom (yes the sickness is hereditary and apparently I didn't get that gene) get up very early and I get up that early for work so…okay not idiots – maybe zealots is a nicer word. ANYWAY, I guess it was too early to have sound judgment because I decided to take this 30 minute “Core Training” class also known by its longer name “Midsection Torture: How to Feel Completely Fat and Uncoordinated”. I survived the class taught by a woman who weighed as much as my right arm and was so proud of myself that I decided to stay for the next class that she was teaching – a ONE HOUR (I would use bigger than capital letters here for the type of emphasis I mean) step class. Now I have taken step before and am a fairly coordinated person but suffice to say it has been a LONG time. At one point in the class she looked DIRECTLY at me when she said “how y’all doing – everybody okay? Take a break if you need to – this is a long class”. Hmmm…. needless to say I was VERY sore the next day and I haven’t been back. It was not that Fitness Barbie the instructor wasn’t good, I just think I need to only do that class on a monthly basis…if nothing else than for my own pride.

Huffman Hallolympics 2008

I'm Walkin', Yes Indeed

2008-10-16T20:47:00.005-05:00

Yes another song title but come on, watch the video below and tell me you don't sing that song in your head!

Yep, can you believe it, Gavin at 11 months has started taking some steps. They may be assisted steps, and we may lack a little in the graceful department but we are putting one foot in front of the other....metaphorically AND literally speaking! And just for comparison sake, you can see an eerily similar version of Jackson (at 13 months) back in 2005.

I did have to laugh at the fact that although it is the same toy, Gavin's is mysteriously minus the fun little characters and part of one wheel is broken...poor second kid. I do want to point out however that I was able to capture him doing this on video the very first time I saw him....no reenactment needed (come on moms - admit it, us second kids get a lot of after-the-fact documentation! Sniffle, sniffle...they grow up so fast!

Good Mom, Bad Mom

2008-10-08T14:37:00.003-05:00

I'm feeling a little deflated since the weigh in today didn't go exactly as I would have hoped (1.5 pound gain) so I decided to post this great devotion I received from my sister the other day which lifted my spirits....ENJOY!

Good Mom, Bad Mom, Good Mom
Lysa TerKeurst

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the
strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

Good Mom? Bad Mom?
Good Mom? Bad Mom?
Do you ever feel as though you are the ping-pong ball in a heated match bouncing constantly between feeling like a good mom to a bad mom?

One minute I have a great discussion where my child finally gets it... GOOD MOM! The next I get an e-mail from a teacher that lists the three parents who have yet to turn in that permission slip and I am on the list for all the world to see... BAD MOM! I calmly handle the stresses of the morning routine... GOOD MOM! But then during the afternoon homework session, my child's irresponsibility over a last minute project just about sends me over the edge. I find my neck muscles tensing and my voice rising... BAD MOM! I make sure they pack something healthy for lunch... GOOD MOM! The schedule falls apart in the late afternoon and I wind up feeding them sugar cereal for dinner... BAD MOM! Sometimes I feel like that ping-pong ball mom bouncing from feeling good to bad. Yesterday morning I sat down at the kitchen table after getting everyone where they needed to be and cried. Sometimes having kids is the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life. Other days I feel like the task of parenting little people is driving me to the brink of craziness. Just the other day I was processing some recent family things with my friend, Renee, over the phone. Suddenly a strange theme seemed to arise. I just started laughing. I told Renee that so many of my days seemed to tell the same kind of story... I was on the verge of a breakdown and then I spent time with Jesus and He made things better. Renee quipped back to me, "Well, isn't that where most of us live every day?" Not that we are on the edge of a breakdown, but we live in a place of utter dependence on God. I know as a mom, I live in constant need of His love, encouragement, wisdom, perspective, strength, patience, and grace. Anything I do right as a mom is because of my constant dialogs with God. Anything I do wrong as a mom is because of trying to do things in my own strength and slap wearing myself out. That's where grace steps in. And I need lots of grace. God's grace steps in and says, “Lysa, you are doing better than you think. Stop bouncing from feeling good to bad to good to bad. In the good times, rejoice and thank me. In the not so good times, call out to me quickly." And suddenly it occurred to me; with God I'm never a bad mom. I might be having a bad moment... or two... or seventeen. But a few bad moments do not define me as a bad mom. God's grace is there to cover me. Teach me. And even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt me, redirect me, and change me. Forgiveness is there. Love is there. A second chance is there.

You are a good mom my friend even if, like me, you’ve had a few bad moments... you is the exact mom God knew your children needed. Let's live in that truth today.
Dear Lord, being a mom is a great privilege but one that can be so challenging at times. Teach me how to lean on You with every action and every reaction. And when I mess up, please help me to not define myself by my mommy failures. Help me to only be defined by Your love that assures me and Your grace that covers me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

The Terrible Two's...

2008-10-01T12:42:00.004-05:00

Okay so this just might be the shortest post in the history of my blog. I have a meeting that is breaking for lunch but before I go back, I did want to respond to the throngs of curious readers (okay maybe just one or two people but "throngs" sounded so much more exciting) about today's Biggest Loser weigh in. It is Week #2 for us and if you watch the TV version you know that this week can be very bad. I would like to point out that one of the contestants (who by the way had no other job, kids, life or otherwise to deter him from the sole purpose of eating right and exercising) actually gained 3 pounds. Further proving my point they said that in the entire history of the show, no one has even so much as lost more than 2% of their body weight. So preparing myself by keeping all of that in mind and forgetting the rather motivating number I got the first week, I stepped on the scale and was not too disappointed to only have lost 1 pound. It was a loss, which is gratefully moving in the right direction, so I will take it...and gladly. More importantly, I am starting to see and feel the results and that makes me happy. A friend of mine is starting the Biggest Loser this week, her company weigh in is tomorrow so I say "Win Sara"...or would that be "Lose Sara"....anyway, you get the idea. Short post huh...well I guess it is all relative!

Wednesday weigh in...

2008-09-24T13:53:00.004-05:00

Since I said I would give an update I figured I had better post today about the first official weigh in for our company's version of the Biggest Loser. Mostly I wanted to post because I wanted to specifically thank some people for their motivation and support. First and foremost, I couldn't do this AT ALL without my wonderful husband. He has really been supportive to me and been great about giving me the time I need in the evening to get a workout in. I have posted before about my schedule but suffice to say that the first chance I have to exercise during the week is at 8ish in the evening which is inconveniently also the time when the kitchen needs cleaned, the kids need bathed and put to bed, and preparations need to be made for the next day. I just can't thank him enough for the extra help. Also I know that there are those out there (and you know who you are) that are praying for me everyday and have sent me encouraging emails or called me to pep me up. There is nothing as motivating as having your own cheering section and knowing that there are people who will be excited for you when you succeed and there to motivate you to continue when the chips are down (ahhhhh....chips - sorry I think I just drooled a little). So it is with humble thanks to others that I tell you that I lost 8.5 pounds! I don't expect to have these same results every week (anyone who watches the real Biggest Loser knows that the first week is always big because of water weight and other things which include your body saying "what in the sam dickens are you doing for pete's sake!"...at least that's the way mine talks to me) but a loss is a loss and I will take it! Hopefully I will have more good news - no matter how small...or big...or - well you know, to report next Wednesday.

A Family First!

2008-09-21T20:04:00.012-05:00

Well this weekend we finally finished Jackson's first school project. And in a very poignant stroke of fate, my mom and dad ran into my grade school "gifted program" teacher at a football game. I remember her as this wonderfully creative, supportive, and high energy person and apparently she is still exactly the same. Sometimes I just have to marvel how life can be so full circle. Before I get too "Lion King- the circle of life" on you, I will get back to the real purpose of this post which was THE PROJECT! The assignment was to create an "All About Me" poster complete with cut out pictures, personal drawings, and writing. It was given as a family project but I did my best not to"take over" and resisted the urge to really display my creative prowess to the teacher (do we ever grow out of that need to impress the teacher - I guess not....and yes my gifted teacher Ms. Gilcrest would have been proud). I did however let Jackson use my new Cricut machine which he now thinks is "Awesome"...to which I responded "isn't it?!?...be sure to tell daddy you think so". He was really proud of his poster when it was done and to be quite honest so was I! Not just proud of the end product but more proud that I managed to keep him focused on completing it. I mean seriously people, the attention span of a 4 1/2 year old could be tested by this kind of thing! The other great thing to come out of this little venture was an appreciation by my son for the experience that is... Hobby Lobby. Again, I got the retort "This is awesome" since he got to pick out a set of colored pencils, a glue stick, and even a spare piece of poster board (simple pleasure people, simple pleasures). It is by far the best $9.72 that I have ever spent there and I even managed to come up with a reasonable explanation as to why you need something "just for decoration" and why fake flowers don't have a smell. Anyway, in case you are actually still reading this long-winded introduction, here are the pictures!

Jackson and his finished product!

A close up...

The "stats"... with blanks as instructed.

His picture of a football helmet, football, and field ("even though ours just has one goal post momma, I want this one to have two"). And yes, (gag) the middle of the field has an OU.

I had to keep him from cutting out the entire "pink side" of the catalog...but honestly, we really struggled with the "not like" list.

Okay now don't ask me where he came up with these, I just wrote them down exactly as he said them...

Unlike the "not like" category, we could have filled a whole page with the "like" category!

D-Day

2008-09-17T06:05:00.004-05:00

So today is the day. Things at work have been pretty busy (hence the lack of posts) but aside from my engineering tasks, today is D-Day for a program my company is doing that I'm sure you've all heard of - "The Biggest Loser". As many of you know, I am not a huge reality TV buff but I do love a "feel good" story as much as the next person so that show is one that I watch from time to time. I have decided to participate in our company's version since I need to lose weight/get in shape and as one of my dear friends put it - it appeals to my competitive nature. We will have weekly weigh-ins on Wednesdays so I will try to remember to do a quick post then to update you on my progress. You can do your part by praying for my progress and also forgiving me for the longing stare at your pasta and drooling over bread if we are eating dinner together. Otherwise, "I'll see you on the beach"! (sorry - I felt the need to quote the movie Saving Private Ryan since the title of my post was D-Day....and no thank heavens you will NOT catch me on the beach any time in the near future unless they are filming some sort of documentary called "Beached Whales - and the People who Look Like Them").

On a side note, I had lunch with my sister on Monday and can I just say - I love her. We have never done that before that we can remember but she was in town "on business" (don't get me started people - she was here to take clients to the Monday night football game I mean seriously - she gets PAID for this!!) and it was so refreshing to have it just be the two of us...no kids, no spouses, no parents (although we did have to call our mom twice to share a laugh). We sat on the patio (in 80 degree weather) at Cafe Express for two hours and even though it felt like five minutes...it was heavenly!

A perfect day for football

2008-09-08T06:36:00.001-05:00

So just to further solidify our family as official sports geeks (as if "Huffman Field" wouldn't do that all by itself!) I wanted to post some pictures from our Labor Day weekend in Kansas. My parents have season tickets at KU, thanks to their wonderful friends the Magnusons, and thanks to a few more of their friends, they were able to score tickets for Gavin and I as well. Now don't get me started on why a 10 month old who is sitting on a lap the entire time has to have a ticket because I could do a whole post on that!! We participated in the pregame tailgating at a booster tent and then enjoyed the pregame rituals like the band's march down Campanile hill, a visit with the Big J and Baby J, the cheerleaders, and the players entrance. This was Gavin's first game and he did awesome! He took a quick cat nap before the festivities began and then dutifully sat through all four quarters without so much as a fuss - a TRUE Huffman!! The weather was fantastic and our seats were in the shade...all in all, a perfect day for football!

I'm ready for the game - check out my new jersey!

Me with my two biggest fans - Grandpa & Grandma!!

The Ladies - they love me!

I like this Big J - what about you Grandma!?

Baby J is my favorite!!

Go Jayhawks!

Hey there's the quarterback - #5 just like me!

Grandma's arms - the perfect place for a quick nap!

ROCK CHALK!

Happy Anniversary!

2008-09-04T06:09:00.003-05:00

Today my husband and I celebrate our 9th Anniversary. He is my perfect partner in so many ways and I truly can't imagine life without him. Our marriage has weathered storms like graduate school, surgery, difficult pregnancy, parenting two kids, moving, starting a new business, and the pulls of extended family. These storms though did not leave us hail damaged or wind worn, instead they left in their wake a flood of commitment, respect and love. I found the words to the closing prayer given at our wedding and was amazed to find that even nine years later the words rang so true.

"O God of Love, You have established marriage for the welfare and happiness of all. It was Your plan and only with Your help can we work it out with joy. You were the one who said "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." By bringing us together as husbands and wives You have doubled our joys since the happiness of one is the happiness of the other and our burdens now are halved since when we share them, we divide the load.

Bless Eric and sustain him in all the responsibilities and pressures of daily life. May he find strength in knowing You intimately and may his strength be Kara's protection, his character be her boast and pride. Dear Lord enable Eric to love in such a way that Kara will find in him an example of Your love. A giving, self-sacrificing love; full of strength and honesty tempered with compassion.

Bless Kara, give her a tenderness that will make her great, a deep sense of understanding & a strong faith in You. Give her that inner beauty of soul that never fades. The unfading beauty of a gently and humble spirit, which is of great worth in Your sight.

Preserve them from expecting that perfection which belongs to You alone. Enable them to minimize each other's weakness, by learning to praise and magnify one another's strong points and gifts. Help them to see each other through a lover's kind and patient eyes. Give them enough tears to keep them tender, enough hurts to keep them human, enough failures to keep them constantly dependent on Thee, and enough wisdom to humbly see You as the source of all their success. Make sure they walk with You. May they never take each other's love for granted but always experience that breathless wonder that exclaims "out of all this world, you have chosen me."

And when life is done and the sun is setting may they be found then, as now,hand in hand, thanking God for each other. May they serve You happily,faithfully, together, until the last one shall commit the other to Your eternal care, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

I love you Eric, and I look forward to what God has in store for our next 9 years and the 99 more after that! I hope you look at the verse engraved in your wedding band (Philippians 1:3) and know that it is truer today than yesterday and even more tomorrow.

Our Honeymoon in the Canadian Rockies, Sept. 1999

Are you ready for some football!?!?

2008-09-03T21:54:00.000-05:00

In case you haven't noticed, the college football season is under way! If you have been reading in my blog for very long, you know that my family is certifiable when it comes to sports. (SIDE NOTE: Case in point of this sports obsession was yesterday when I was at the store with the kids and my four year old pointed out this teeny tiny picture on the cover of one of 20 some magazines at the checkout stand and said "hey look Momma - it's Michael Phelps". Okay so maybe we had the TV on a little too much during the Olympics but oh well.) Yes we love our sports and according to my husband, there is none more sacred than college football...oh yes and let's be more specific...Oklahoma Football - because (prepare to gag) "There's only 1 Oklahoma"...and with that the brainwashing begins. So after saying all of this, it should be no surprise that two weekends ago (sorry for the late pictures and posting) in preparation for the opening weekend, we (and of course that means Eric and Jackson) built what we now call - HUFFMAN FIELD. The field made its inaugural debut last year and has KU at one end (for my alma mater) and OU at the other end for my husband. You will notice this year's obvious additions of a longer and wider field, goal post (constructed of PVC pipe and painted yellow) complete with wind direction flags, and pads for the goal post and surrounding trees. Overboard....probably. Impressive....could be. Fun for the kids....absolutely. Satisfying the kid in my husband...most definitely. It is the kind of harmless fun that comes when a shared passion emerges between generations in a family. MY contribution you might ask....well aside from taking video (behind the yellow "media line" of course), cheering while my 4 year old kicked an actual field goal (5 to be exact)... I did the lettering on the goal post pad. This only proved to demonstrate to my husband the "need" for the Cricut lettering machine I have been wanting - score for me! Anyway, here are the pictures...I give you - HUFFMAN FIELD!!

Daddy outlines....Jackson fills in

The finished product!

The OU endzone, goal post and pad, pylon, etc.

Credit where credit is due...

2008-09-03T06:05:00.002-05:00

I've been out of town and have LOTS to post about the comings and goings at the Huffman House but I will save that all for later (since I have over 100 emails currently in my inbox - that's what you get for being gone from the office for 3 days I guess). What I did want to make a quick post about is THE NEW LAYOUT! I have to give credit where credit is due and tell you that a "friend of a friend" named Tracy did the layout for me. I was excited to finally have a blog space that did a little better job of reflecting the Huffman House! You like????

How to Be Somebody - Age 4

2008-08-26T06:09:00.001-05:00

Okay quick funny story that I had to share about my 4 year old Jackson. He has always been a talker, question asker, and overall thinker. Yesterday when I picked him up from school he was building this tower which he told me was "3 bedrooms (no mommy - not stories) high, with a small castle on that, and then the statue of liberty on top". Very creative, I thought to myself...then as we were driving home we proceeded to talk about the new class he is in with the kindergarten teacher (she is teaching the older pre-k kids this year) which he thinks is BIG time. We passed by one of the local high schools and he said that once he finished Ms. Nina's class, he would go to high school. "No sweetie, first you will go to elementary school", I politely corrected. "And then I go to high school?" "No actually then you go to middle school - like the one right by our house" "Oh yeah....and THEN I go to high school?!". As a mom who will take any opportunity to plant the seed of higher education I added "And then...you will go to college". To which he so sweetly added "yeah mommy I'm gonna go to college and THEN I'm gonna BE somebody." (long pause while I smile to myself and mentally pat my husband and I on the back for creating this obvious love of education in our son. Maybe the tower he built today means he wants to be an architect - maybe the next Frank Lloyd Wright - I was swelling with pride at the thought). And then, as a four year old probably should...he brought me back down from my parental cloud nine and said "I'm gonna really be somebody....like....a race car driver". Hmmm....now in the past he has said that he wanted to do things like be a doctor, a physical therapist like daddy, a vet, but no...today it was - race car driver. Being a thoughtful (and I'll admit tired) mommy, I decided to spare him the discussion that it isn't like the movie Cars and about how only a very small handful of drivers make any kind of money at that "profession". No I thought I would let him be 4 for the day.... since being 4 means that I'm sure his mind will change tomorrow. That is to say it will change back to the other oh so likely professions he has chosen... football player, drummer, baseball player, etc. Ah what it means to "be somebody" at age 4.

Cruisin' on a Sunday Afternoon

2008-08-19T20:03:00.009-05:00

Okay so it wasn't Sunday afternoon...but he is for sure CRUISIN' and hey it was another music title!! Take a look at the video below of my "not so baby-like" baby.

NOTES:
1. Yes the shrieking sounding (and very annoying voice) is yours truly. Why is it that we have owned a video camera for well over a decade and I can't seem to remember that when you are filming - you can be heard...VERY clearly!
2. Yes that is an OU football pylon (sub-note: for those non-sports types, a pylon are those things that are at the four corners of the end zones that help signify a touchdown.)
3. Yes we are crazy about sports and in unparalleled anticipation for the impending football season, we have a mini end zone set up in our living room in order to run routes and practice the art of the over the shoulder pass....pinkies together - not thumbs!
4. Yes my dear husband is responsible for the SEVERE brainwashing towards Oklahoma football (although I will share my secret inner joy in hearing my son tell him over the weekend "Daddy let's play and I will be Kansas" :) - there's hope people...there's hope!)
5. Yes this is the first time I have posted a video (pardon the quality...not only have we had a video camera for over a decade - it is the same video camera. It's good but the whole digital video thing was new at the time) - hope it works!!

Ch-ch-changes

2008-08-12T06:06:00.002-05:00

I knew the day would come when I would no longer feel like I had a "baby" anymore...I just wasn't prepared for it to happen quite so soon. I admit that sometimes I am still even in denial about my four year old not being a baby. The latest conviction that he is 4 (going on 14) was after he made a trip to the Kane house and hung out with his much older cousins (high school age). Jackson went with one of the guys to get their haircut and he got a haircut too. He has now informed me that he doesn't want to go to the cute/fun/geared for toddlers haircut place that he has been going to since his very first haircut (see picture - sniffle sniffle) but instead he said "Momma, I want to get my hair cut at Sport Clips". He might as well have said he was going to get a crew cut and join the army!

Then as if not to be out done by his big brother, my 81/2 month old (I could say nine since it will be in three days but clearly I'm not ready people) has decided that he is too old for that baby food stuff and wants whatever we are eating. It has been a while since I have done the table-food-for-a-baby-thing so I began with the cereals and have been starting to explore the fruits. He is ALL ABOUT IT...even gets this excited/anxious little whimper whenever he sees a cereal box. We've done Rice Krispies (thanks for the suggestion Rachelle), Cheerios, Kix (I'm hoping that since they are "kid tested - mother approved" that means approved for babies as well), Wagon Wheels, and Mum Mums. And his votes are yes, more, now, and keep it coming! The fruits were equally as welcomed and we have tried bananas, grapes, and peaches...mainly because that is what we had on hand. Last night he even ate over a quarter of a peach all by himself! I have never considered myself a "baby person" but I must admit that I can't believe that we are already where we are...my the times they are a changing!

"Talk to Me, Goose"

2008-08-07T06:09:00.002-05:00

I saw this on another blog recently and thought it was interesting. This isn't meant to be philosophical or particularly humorous and yes it does change dramatically from day to day. Here are my 10 Things I Say to Myself (today)....what are yours??

Man I'm tired, but if I get up now, I will have time to stop at Starbucks... the "snooze button" is for procrastinators, that's what E would say.
If I did one page layout every day, that's 30 pages in a month, 12 months in a year, subtract holidays, add time for the retreat, I'd realistically be caught up.....hmmm - let me start over - that math doesn't seem right.
I need a hair cut, why do I only remember to call her when it is 6:00 in the morning...I'm guessing she is not a morning person.
I'm hungry, I wonder if my fruit is cold yet.
What time is it? Wow - time flies...whether you are having fun or not!
Sometimes I am sooo my mom and then sometimes I am sooo my dad - goodness I love my family! Blessed.blessed.blessed!
What did we do before the Internet? How did we find anything...and more importantly, how did we avoid paying full price for things!?!
Computers can make or break your day...I don't know why but Ebay scares me...I need to post pictures on my blog because G is killing me with his cuteness!
Music is sooooo therapeutic....I LOVE my "Shuffle" (and my sister for gifting it to me).
Why is my memory so bad...ugh that is frustrating!!

Okay I think I talk too much...to myself. Does blogging count as talking to yourself - I sure hope not. I guess it isn't as long as someone else comments (proof that someone besides yourself saw the words). I need to get to work... (thought #11).

8-6-7-5-3-0-9

2008-07-31T06:05:00.004-05:00

My brain was shocked into life this morning at the sound of a number. Not the sound of a crashing car, not a baby crying, not a news story of gun shots, just a simple seemingly harmless number.

109.

Seems innocent enough....I guess it wasn't the poor number's fault but the combination of it and the word that followed. Degrees. Yes, 109 degrees is supposed to be the heat index today. When I was pulling out of the garage this morning I had just turned on the radio and that was what greeted me. I started sweating just thinking about it even though I was driving in air conditioned comfort. I do know intuitively that you reach a point where hot is hot and a few extra degrees doesn't make a difference but there is something just wrong about a three digit temperature. And I love how they try to make it sound so benign by saying things like "well the high should only be 99...it will just FEEL like it is 109". Okay seriously, two things bug me about that statement. A: the use of the word "only" like 99 is just a perfectly reasonable temperature that no one should be complaining about - perrrrfectly comfortable - I wish it was 99 ALL the time!?!? And 2: Someone please explain to me the necessity of the heat index. I mean do any of us really care what the actual temperature is - no - we just want to know how we are going to feel in that temperature. If the actual temperature was 70 but the heat index was 109 - it isn't like we would wear a jacket!?! I know I know, I live in Texas and heat comes with the territory...I just think that the weather guy should quit trying to sugar coat it with an actual temperature and just give it to me straight - I'm a big girl I can handle it. So it's gonna feel like 109 today??....okay...I think I'm going to cry! (so much for the big girl).

Isn't it Ironic...

2008-07-21T06:08:00.002-05:00

Aside from Alanis' angry side, I did think the title was appropriate for this blog as my dear husband and I spent the greater portion of the weekend cleaning the house (wait for it)..... before the cleaning lady comes this week. I don't have a regular house keeper but since I am hosting 13 people for a scrapbook retreat this coming weekend we decided to call in some reinforcements to get things squeaky clean. Having never used a cleaning lady in my life, I don't know if this is just common practice but while "picking up" before she comes makes complete sense, "cleaning" seems a little counterintuitive - no? I know I should never complain about my husband's propensity for cleaning but it did strike me as funny when I asked him about what he was doing and his response was "well I just want things to be clean when she gets here"...and by "she" - he of course meant the cleaning lady who by definition sees houses NOT clean all the time. The even funnier part, if you knew us, is that our house stays pretty put together all the time since the two adults living there are a neat freak and a wife of one. The one task that doesn't get done as often as it should is the dusting. While I can come home on any given day to find fresh vacuum lines on the floor, his idea of dusting is waving a rag in the general direction of the dust and hoping that the dust actually jumps on in the nano-second that the rag is there. Now I have heard of dust "wands" that are supposed to "attract" the dust but hmmm....just call me skeptical! I tried to think of other ironic/futile things we do like cleaning before the cleaning lady comes and here where the things that I came up with:

Showering in Texas in the middle of August (I mean you're just gonna walk outside of your room and sweat right!?!?)
Touching a hot plate at a restaurant after someone just told us "this plate is hot" (don't know if this is ironic - or just stupid but we all do it!)
Reading the book before you go see the movie (this is just one I have never personally understood because either way you are ruining the other one - right??)

So what am I forgetting? What are some of your favorites? Help me with this list.....

Hello...is it me you're looking for?

2008-07-16T05:56:00.002-05:00

Yes I'm back to the music titles...and I thought that not only was the title appropriate since I have been slacking on my writing lately but also thought that this time of morning, a little Lionel Richie sounded easy on the ears. I am in the midst of life right now, nothing exciting per say, just the busy pace of working full time, taking care of two kids and a husband, and trying not to fall asleep standing up or "bark" too loudly at random strangers. I did have a small funny story to share...well at least it was funny to me, maybe a little bit sad, but funny. I digress...

My schedule is a little strange...I am trying to maintain full time status at my engineering firm, so in order to have a day at home with the kids on Friday, I go into work Monday through Thursday at a little before 6:00 am (which with my commute means waking at the ghastly hour of 4:30). I leave the office at 5:00 pm in order to pick the kids up by 6:00, since that is when their school closes. Since I would be arriving home about 6:15 to even start to cook something for dinner and since the hubby isn't due home for another hour and a half (hence leaving me to wrangle the two kids - while cooking), I have been known to find dinner somewhere a little more convenient than our kitchen. My need to give you all of that background just goes to show you that I do have a little bit of guilt for not performing my wife/motherly duty of providing sustenance for the family. On to the funny part of the story (seriously people, I have a wordiness and clearly a focus problem!).

So I picked the kids up from school and I knew I had some chicken thawed in the fridge so I was mapping out in my mind what I was going to cook and how to feed the baby and not give him a little salmonella with his baby food. As we pulled away and headed home, my four year old calls from the back seat "Momma can we go eat Chili's??” While I did think to myself that a Mesquite Chicken Salad sounded mighty tasty, I knew that I should cook what I had at home so I replied "No sweetie, we aren't going to eat at a restaurant". To which he seemed to instantly turn from 4 into a 14 year old and said "No Mom, I mean CURB-SIGHT TO GO". I had to bite my lip to contain the laughter...first that he was so adamant about it and second that he would even know what curbside pick up was...even though to him it was curb "sight". I squelched my laughter to just a chuckle and said "Clearly buddy - you eat out waaaaay too much".

From the mouths of children - I swear! They keep us honest don't they?? Honest...and humored!

Just Stop!

2008-07-09T06:29:00.002-05:00

I was reading another blog this morning and a good portion of it really struck me as something that I needed to hear and I thought everyone else could use too! Now my "stop it" moments are not necessarily in the primary examples that were given but I sure have them.

Sometimes we just need to STOP IT. Just plain stop it. We don't need to keep praying over it. We don't need to keep deliberating it. We don't need one last shot at it. We don't need five more years of counseling over it. We flat need to stop it. Like, for instance,
*If we're married and we're flirting with somebody at work (calling it harmless), we need to stop it.
*And, Lord have mercy, if any of us are having affairs, we need to stop it NOW. With every second that goes by, the consequences are mounting. Please do not let the enemy trick you into thinking you're getting away with it. You're not. Don't rationalize it. Don't tell me what a jerk your husband is and how you're finally in love for the first time. Get some fear of God and stop it.
*If we're being a brat about something, we need to stop it.
*If we're still punishing somebody for what they did to us, we need to stop it. Enough is enough. Let God deal with them.
*If we're trying to do God's job with somebody, we need to stop it. No Scripture says it more succinctly and exactly than Isaiah 1:16b: "Stop doing wrong." Hear the voice of God say, "I've warned you and warned you and warned you. STOP IT." I say this as a woman to whom sometimes a brief, "STOP IT NOW!" works better than anything.

I know I needed that - how about you?

Me, I've been a long time gone...

2008-07-08T06:06:00.000-05:00

Forgive the music reference once again in the title...it is just the way I am wired. Seriously people if they taught engineering classes to music, I probably would have enjoyed college a WHOLE lot more...and done a whole lot better at it! At any rate, I'm sure you've been wondering where I took off too...or maybe you haven't (let's not be too narcissistic here) but I have missed my blogging. After nine days away from home, seven of which were spent traveling by myself with a 7 month old and a 4 year old a total of 27 hours and 1650 miles in the car - I'm feeling a little like I need a vacation from my vacation. I could post a thousand pictures and tell a thousand blog worthy stories from our trip, but to be quite frank - I'm tired. The thought of having nothing on the agenda for this weekend just sounds heavenly. Okay well not "nothing"...speaking of heavenly, my oldest son will be attending Vacation Bible School for the first time. Brings back a flood of memories for me....I just LOVED to go to VBS as a kid. That was probably because nothing could have been geared more towards me - I mean c'mon people, aside from the Bible teaching, which granted is the most important part, VBS can basically be divided up into three categories: 1. Snacks (food - good, like it) 2. Crafts (yep, that's me, love it) 3. Music (um hello - perfect!, teach me anything). It should be fun for me...oops I mean him (wink wink). I will post pictures of it (and everything else) as soon as I can. Did I mention that I came home to a husband with mono?!? Hmmmm....I wonder if there is a church around here who has VBS for adults!?!?

Lake Lessons

2008-06-24T06:37:00.007-05:00

We went with a group of 22 adults and 19 kids to Lake Conroe this weekend (sounds scary doesn't it - we were quite the crew). It was tons of fun and here are some pictures and some observations from the weekend.

The best way to tire out your child is to spend the ENTIRE day swimming.
Fish do not eat grapes for breakfast.
The volume and octave of women's voices is exponentially more than men's.
Men become boys instantaneously when surrounded by video games or water balloons.
If you are over 35, your limbo days are numbered...on one hand.

The incredible group at Incredible Pizza...

OUR incredible group!

Kid Karaoke...

Fishing from our balcony with Great Grandpa's rod and reel...

An old fashioned sack race...

Time at the pool

A Lifestyle fast...

2008-06-16T06:03:00.002-05:00

Our church is involved in a series right now called "One Prayer". It has been really interesting and this past Sunday we got to hear a really good speaker named Craig Groeschel who said that his one prayer was for the church to be united, not distracted by all the things around us. As part of that for this week, we are participating in what he calls a lifestyle fast. Here is the church's explanation of it:

"What is a Lifestyle Fast?This week, we’re going to fast from
those things that may consume our time and resources and stand in our way of
truly connecting with God. For many of us, this will mean fasting from
technology. Not necessarily all technology, but those things that keep you from
spending time with God. Maybe you watch too much television or surf the web
aimlessly. For others, it could be shopping, sports or another hobby or pastime
that can distract you from what’s most important. Whatever that thing is for
you, take a week off. And instead, give that time to God."

In an effort to do that, this post will be my only one for the week as I am going to fast from television and the Internet. Don't miss read me, I don't think blogs are bad, or technology is bad, it was just something that I do spend a decent amount of time involved in and could manage to do without for a week. So if you are a person who reads this blog regularly (I may only be speaking to my husband here) than I would encourage you to take the time you would have spent reading this blog and instead, as they say, give that time to God. I will let you know next week how it all went for me!

Like I said...

2008-06-12T12:08:00.003-05:00

I was engaged in casual conversation this morning and found myself using the word "propensity", to which my coworker confirmed that I have been using that word with an odd degree of frequency. He said that it seemed to have replaced another one of my common phrases "of some description". Being a wordy person by nature, I'm not surprised to learn that I have a few staples in my vocabulary. It reminded me of my pastor who did a recent post on his blog about his "go to phrases". It got me to thinking - what would make someone utter the words "...now that sounds just like something Kara would say..."?? Some of these words and phrases may have originated with other people, but in an effort not to point fingers, I will take the blame for my own excessive use:

"Seriously..."
"People..."
"C'mon People" or a combination of the two above "Seriously people"
"Clearly"
"Shut up..." (used to express shock - never as a way to tell someone to be quiet)
"...as the case may be"
"A. ___ and 2.__"
"Ya think?"
"a propensity for"
"of some description"
"Dude" (just like the commercials - this can be used as several parts of speech and in several instances depending on the vocal inflection)

Can you think of any others? I'm sure there are words or phrases of mine that I don't even realize I use. And don't kid yourself people - we all have them...what are yours?

Wet Weekend in the Woodlands...

2008-06-10T08:16:00.017-05:00

I finally got my pictures uploaded from our trip to the Kane house for Matt's graduation party. They have a gorgeous pool in their backyard and it was Jackson's first dip (or shall I say PLUNGE) for the season and boy was he excited. I think we were there a sum total of ten minutes before he ask if we could get in. You will see from the pictures that they have a big shallow area (a perfect combination of "zero entry" and "steps") and Jackson could have spent all day there "swimming". I couldn't find his goggles on our way out the door so I picked up a cheap pair and while he insisted they fit fine and wanted mommy to leave them alone, they pulled his eyes so tight that his nickname could have been the Shanghai Kid! (you will note the red marks they left around his eyes). I did take the opportunity to try teaching him to dive and to my surprise he did pretty good. We start formal swim lessons this Friday so that should be exciting...for everyone. Our other water boy enjoyed the pool as well. Good ol' Aunt Debby had gotten Gavin a Cars float to ride around the pool in and he looked like he was an old man just out for a Sunday drive. When he started looking a little prune-y around the edges we got him out but if we hadn't, he was content to just sit in the car all afternoon and watch the boys play football in the pool. A very fun and wet weekend in the Woodlands!

Swimming and Diving

Cousin Matt at Quaterback...Cousin Mike at Receiver

Gavin crusin' and hanging with Uncle Tom

Everybody loves lists....

2008-06-09T06:29:00.004-05:00

Yes, it has been a while since I posted but between being out of town for my Grandpa's funeral and a nephew's graduation, reaching the summit of Mount Laundry, and side stepping a landmine better known as "the flu", I am trying to ease back into my normal routine... of being out of town, climbing to the summit of Mount Two Kids, and side stepping a landmine better known as "my life". I know what people mean when they say, I need a vacation from my vacation. I look at my friends too and it seems like everyone is in the midst of some sort of controlled chaos at the moment and we are all just putting on the happy face and walking around like we've got it all under control...we aren't fooling anyone - least of all ourselves! My kids' school is closed today (someone will have to explain to me sometime the actual definition of "professional development" because it sure seems like these teachers have a LOT of it!). At any rate, I am taking the "second shift" at home and I am hoping today to do the one thing that makes me feel on track - make a list. I'm not sure why it is, but for me there is something so powerful about writing down everything that needs done. No matter how long the list is, writing it down seems to make me feel better about it. Some might argue that it stresses them out to see just how behind they are but for me, the longer the list, the more assured I am that nothing is getting left out. Strange I know but it is almost as if just the act of making the list is an accomplishment. I even go so far as to make the first item on my list:

Make List

See - already I can cross something off!! And in case you are wondering, yes it is absolutely acceptable, in fact desired, to write down things on your list that you have already done....crossing things off can be soooooo therapeutic. It is my version of encouragement and takes away that feeling of "where do I start" when well looky there (something my Grandpa used to say) I've already started! So for those of you in the midst of chaos...and if you are under the age of 75 - trust me you are not fooling anyone - you're right there with me...my advice today, is to make a list - grocery list, errand list, Christmas list, bucket list (I really want to see that movie - maybe I will add that to my list)...but whatever the list is I know it will make you feel better because everybody loves lists!!

In Memory

2008-05-27T06:10:00.008-05:00

My Grandpa Kelly passed away over the weekend so I wanted to write a post in honor of him and what he meant to me. I have very fond memories of the time that I spent with him. Most recently with Jackson and what a kick he seemed to get out of him. I make an annual trip home around the fourth of July and I recall two summers ago watching him and Jackson sit on the front step of their house and do firecracker "poppers" - something I remember doing with him as a kid myself. Over and over Jackson would throw them to the ground in delight and then come running back to Grandpa who was fishing out the good ones from the sawdust like substance that they come in. Fishing was something Grandpa enjoyed and not just the fireworks kind. He would take us shopping as kids for the plastic worms that he used as bait. Always letting my sister and I have one or two worms of our own. We weren't going to do anything with them but we thought they were cool and he loved giving them to us. He would bait our hooks for us and I remember too the first time I saw him clean a fish in the backyard. He also had all kinds of contraptions to do things, most notably for me, smashing cans for recycling. We didn't have a lot of pop around our house growing up but for sure when we went to Grandpa and Grandma Kelly's house there was plenty of it, which lead to plenty of can smashing later. One of my very first and favorite memories of him was when I was really young and we had went to their house for a visit - probably in the summer. We had taken a bath and put on pajamas and I crawled up into his lap in the kitchen, probably for a bedtime snack that I'm sure we weren't supposed to be eating. What I remember is putting my hands in his and telling him "Grandpa look, it takes two of my fingers to be as big as yours". He had big hands - those of a really great football player and they were strong and tan, a contrast not lost on me even as young as I was at the time. Soon after my first child Jackson was born, a preemie, we took at picture of Grandpa holding him and I saw the contrast of those big hands again as Jackson's foot was the size of Grandpa's thumb. These memories and countless others like it are the things I am finding the most comfort in these days along with the peace that comes with knowing that God has graciously taken him into heaven and made whole the body that was so changed by his recent battle with dementia. No, now his hands are once again tan, strong, and looking like those of a great football player. I heard my dad had said recently "I don't know the name of the team, but somewhere in heaven, that team just got a really great fullback" and I would add - one with great hands.

He was always loved and will always be missed. I love you Grandpa!

Attitude is everything...

2008-05-22T06:40:00.011-05:00

So I am headed to work this morning and I pull out of the driveway at the usual time of 5:20 am. My nieghbor is apparently headed out of town and catching an early flight at the airport so we give each other a strange stare through the darkness - him because he probably didn't realize that I leave the house this early every morning and me because I never see anyone else leaving their house this early and was surprised by the company. Better to be surprised by him than a snake.

SIDE STORY: Eric comes into the bedroom last night around 9:45 and announces that he just did battle with a snake in our garage which of course prompts me to immediately pause CSI NY (come on people seriously - who doesn't love DVR) and get the full scoop. To my horror he starts the story with "I found him by the Highlander..." (which is the car I drive) and ends the story with "...and so I scooted him out of the garage". While the full story is not important or necessary to tell I will say that in the middle somewhere were words like "he was practically hopping around" and "he was lunging and hissing at me but I don't think he had fangs" and "he was about 12" long and about an inch around". Okay so basically what you are telling me is that in the dark of the morning when I go out to the car for work I need to be sure that the snake you found by my car did not come back which ever way he got in the garage in the first place and now he's really mad so maybe he has tried to make himself even more comfortable by curling up on the seat of the car and all of course while trying to be as quiet as possible so as not to wake our sleeping children!?!? I suppose next you're going to tell me to make sure he's buckled up for the ride to the office!?!? Amidst my barrage of questions, he tried to comfort me with words like "well it's not a rattler" and "I don't think it was poisonous" and "it isn't the bad kind, it will eat mice and bugs". So he only kills the bad kind? The BAD KIND is the SNAKE KIND and the good kind is the dead kind (certainly NOT the "scooted out of the garage" kind)!! Needless to say, I have never gotten into my car and out of the garage so fast in my life....actually now that I think about it, that was probably the reason for my neighbor staring at me - not that fact that it was 5:20 in the morning!!

So back to my original story...On my way to work once, maybe twice a week I go to a Starbucks that is too convenient not to stop (my side of the road, before the freeway, drive thru, love it, etc...). At any rate, it is usually the same person at the drive through window, her name is "JoJo" and she is a sweet lady that is probably in her late 40's/early 50's if I had to guess. She is always in the best mood and this morning was her usual chipper self and while I waited for my tall, non-fat, extra hot, caramel macchiato she engaged me in some very polite conversation about my kids (my two car seats give it away) and winning the Starbucks giveaway (which we are both hoping I do). As I pulled away, I realized how truly rare it is to get such pleasant customer service particularly for that time of the morning....sad commentary on today's world. Makes me think of a comment my mom said this past weekend "you know, I'm getting tired of tipping people for just doing their job" - and this from a lady who has made customer service an art form. She is a "JoJo" for sure! Contrast my pleasant start with JoJo to the second half of my morning commute which included not one, not two, but THREE cars whizzing around me going at least 90-95 mph and giving me a stare like I was a 90 year old grandma who can't see over the steering wheel and out for a Sunday stroll. I watched them frustratedly cut in and out of traffic for several miles...I'm sure giving several other safe drivers the same irritated glare that I got. Now I know it is early in the morning and I know what it is like to wake up late or need to get somewhere but when you live in the DFW metroplex and you commute - you should expect and prepare for traffic. I found myself saying (almost out loud) that those people could use a little JoJo spirit this morning. I guess it just proves the old saying "Attitude is everything and everything is attitude"!! Here's hoping we all have more JoJo's in our day and manage to BE a JoJo to everyone around us (except of course the snakes).

There a 1st time for everything...

2008-05-20T07:21:00.008-05:00

I was truly hoping that things would start calming down in my life since work hasn't been quite so hectic as of late. I have decided instead that the "calming down" plan will have to wait until maybe August. I have made that assumption by looking over my planner and determining that in the next nine weekends I have a sum total of TWO that are "free" and even those have tentative plans in the works. While it is filled with exciting trips and things I look forward to doing, it does not help with the "calm down" plan and my desperate need to get organized and have a fresh start (something I have been looking for since the birth of my second child). Since I hadn't posted in a while and hadn't posted pictures in the last several posts I thought I would just at least do that.

This past weekend we went to San Antonio and celebrated my parents 40th wedding anniversary as well as my mom's 60th birthday. Below is a list of a few "firsts" that occurred over the weekend...

1st time in a highchair

Site of 1st National Championship in 20 years - ROCK CHALK JAYHAWKS!

1st time in water (other than the bath)

1st night in a hotel (and a GREAT one at that - Hyatt Hill Country)

1st time feeding dolphins

1st time making and eating s'mores

1st family vacation - what fun!

There is nothing...

2008-05-08T06:34:00.006-05:00

There is nothing and I truly mean NOTHING more frustrating then taking a day off work, starting at 6:15 am and never stopping to sit down, and then realizing at 6:15 pm that in spite of my extremely diligent pace, I have not completed my list of things that have to be done!?! Grrrrrr - makes me mad just thinking about it. BUT....

There is also nothing and I truly mean NOTHING like having a husband who comes home from work and dives right in to finish off the remaining items on your to do list. Especially when the remaining items all start with the words "Clean the...". By the time the kids went to bed, I had nothing and I mean nothing (okay I promise that is the last time I will say that) left in my tank, my back was aching and my attitude was rotten. With a dinner party at our house tonight and my parents and grandparents coming this weekend, the house needs to be clean. Cue the husband of the year and that whole other gear that he finds when it comes to cleaning in crunch time. When he sent me to bed, he was still cleaning and when I got up at 4:30 this morning for work, I walked into a clean shower and got ready in a clean bathroom. Praise God for giving me such an amazing man - CLEARLY I need him like nothing and I truly mean nothing (sorry one last time) else in the world!!

Faith and Football

2008-05-06T06:15:00.003-05:00

In a day and age where athletes are getting convicted of everything from drugs, assault, DUI, and illegal contributions, how refreshing is it to see a young person like Tim Tebow with his head so squarely on his shoulders. My husband sent me this article and I have to admit that my opinion of Florida football (which was pretty poor) did change. If this young man can stand up for his faith in the midst of the self absorbed, self promoting, corrupt world that college sports can sometimes be....what is my excuse?

Just another manic Monday....

2008-05-05T06:06:00.003-05:00

It occurred to me as I started this post out with the title that I am a musical learner. If there was a way to teach brain surgery through music, I think I would be the best brain surgeon in the world! Why is it that I can remember every.single.word. to some random (and some might argue - bad) 80's song by the Bangles and I can't remember my own schedule and events that I have had planned for months. I could blame part of it on the fact that as I get older time keeps on slipping slipping slipping into the future...see - there I go again with the music (although I have regressed to the late 70's now)! Time really does go by faster these days and I am having exceedingly more trouble keeping up. It is extremely frustrating for me as I consider myself a fairly organized and "non-flaky" person. My life has been pretty hectic recently but let's be honest - who's hasn't!?! We are all running around like a bunch of headless chickens, squawking all the while. I will say that I am still managing once in a while to stop (all be it for a millisecond!) and enjoy the things around me. A couple of examples from this weekend...we had a block party in our cul-de-sac and I was reminded of how wonderful it is to have good neighbors. When my husband and I first got married, we thought there was no way we would raise a family in such a big city (I'm from a mid size town and him a super small one). When we moved into this neighborhood a year ago though, I could finally get that smaller town feeling of kids playing in the street or walking down to the neighbors house, etc. At the party I was looking around and just really feeling blessed to live where we do and thinking that maybe it would be possible to capture that feeling of my childhood neighborhood. Another example this weekend was our 5 1/2 month old Gavin. He is at such a great age and just makes me smile at even the smallest things. First, he has started being quite the little roller. "Rolling, rolling, rolling on the river". Seriously - somebody stop me! It is very entertaining to watch because the process is slow and deliberate and he seems almost surprised when he makes it like "wow that's what I was trying to do and hey look - I did it". The other funny thing he is doing now is finding his voice. He will open his mouth and let air pass his vocal cords until a precious little (but loud) "aha" comes out. The tones go up and down and you can tell he is really trying to say something... SO funny to watch and listen to him exploring sounds. Those are the times when the world seems to slow down and you wish "it was Sunday, 'cause that's my fun day, my I don't have to run day...but it's just another manic Monday". (sorry...couldn't help myself) :)

Baseball Fever...

2008-04-29T20:53:00.014-05:00

Jackson is playing on a T-ball team this year and he's definitely got baseball fever - BAD! Our whole family is a bunch of sports junkies so it is no surprise that even at age four - Jackson takes it very seriously. You probably read in my previous post that he even gets upset when practice is cancelled. Last year, we painted a football field in the back yard in addition to a baseball diamond. The football field has not been striped off yet (this is the off season you know) but the baseball field has made its first appearance. And as we tend to do where sports are concerned, we have taken it this year to a "whole notha' level" (as Ed would say). Eric (with a little Jackson help) painted the team mascot in our backyard and it is hard to say which one of them is more proud!
(Just click on the pictures for a closer look)

The Painters..... The field..... Up close.....

Here's a few more pictures from one of his first games...

"Mommy, I'm #3 - Just like Babe Ruth!"

"First Base is my favorite"

"Good game...Gooooo CARDINALS!"

Rejoice with those who rejoice...

2008-04-28T06:35:00.003-05:00

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15

Why is it that part of this verse is so much easier for me to do than the other part? God put this verse on my heart lately and I have really been struggling with it. Far more than one should struggle with such a simple and straightforward task. It isn't as if I wish ill will on anyone or desire for others not to receive blessings, and it is not as if I have not been blessed and blessed abundantly myself. Why then is it so much easier to console than it is to champion someone? What I have been convicted of personally is that the verse doesn't at all "qualify" the rejoicing. It doesn't say to only do it when the person is rejoicing humbly, for the right reasons, or giving God the glory for their success. It also doesn't say to do it when it is a person you like, or to rejoice just when you feel like it. It simply says to do it...no ifs, ands or buts (qualifications which my personal translation of the Bible always wants to add). Since I seem to struggle with this as it relates to certain people and instances, one might get the impression that I don't have a good example of what it truly means to rejoice with those who rejoice. In fact, the opposite it true - I have such a great example that it is the person whom I go to when I want someone to rejoice with me - my mom! She always exhibits just the right amount of enthusiasm about whatever ridiculously small thing is making my happy. She is positive, upbeat, and even if it is something that doesn't at all peak her interest, she still manages to seem engaged in my explanation of all the nitty gritty details. This won't be the first (nor the last) time in my life I say this - but I really pray that I can start being more like my mom in this area. So feel free to call, email, or post a comment with whatever you are excited about today so that I can practice my ability to rejoice with those who rejoice!!

2008-04-23T10:53:00.001-05:00

Below is a GREAT email that I just got from my sister. Some of those I really needed to hear today. What about you??

I believe - A birth certificate shows that we were born; a death certificate shows that we died; pictures show that we lived!

I believe - That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe - That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe - That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I believe - That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe - That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe - That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe - That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe - That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I believe - That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel

I believe - That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe - That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe - That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe - That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe - That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe - That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe - That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe - That no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe - That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe - Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe - That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe - That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I believe - That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe - That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I believe - The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything hey have.

"The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you."

Dealing with disappointment...

2008-04-22T05:59:00.003-05:00

We have a HUGE project going on at work right now and the deadline for it is this Friday with a preliminary deadline on Wednesday. Everyone has been working really hard and we are all trying to do our part to get everything done. I had to leave "early" (I left at 5:00pm and had been there since about 5:45 am) to make sure I could pick the boys up from their school in time to make it to Jackson's 6:00 baseball practice. We pulled up and I only saw a soccer practice going on in the open field next to the backstop and I got that sinking feeling that we were about to be dealing with some serious disappointment. A quick call to Eric who checked our home email confirmed that practice had been cancelled. I was mad for having to be in "hustle" mode just to get there and Jackson of course was beyond sad as he sat in the car seat with his hat on and little cleats and baseball bag in hand and didn't understand why he didn't get to practice. He suggested that his tears could be dried by a drink from the Sonic across the street and feeling sad for him (and really who needs that big of an excuse for Sonic ice) I obliged. Of course by the time we were over in the parking lot, he had decided that his sadness was so great that it would require some chicken and tater tots too. What's a mom to do?!

A weekend come and gone...

2008-04-21T06:39:00.005-05:00

Eric took Friday off and was home with the kids while I had to come into work. We didn't have anything "major" going on this weekend just the usual baseball game, birthday party, yard work, grocery store, Eric working, me working, car washing, laundry, doctor appointment, church, and so on and so on and so on. I sometimes feel like I am in the middle of it all just standing still and watching it go by, saying things like "oh wait".... "I was going to....", and "did I forget...". Since Jackson went "sans nap" on Friday, it was an early bedtime so we did have a chance to watch a movie (a rare treat for us) and we saw "Michael Clayton" through Video on Demand. As "with it" as I think I am about technology, this was the first time we had done that and I found myself wondering why we don't do it more!? I love movies and haven't been to the movie theater in forever. There is something great about watching a movie in your PJ's and being able to pause for potty breaks. Oh and the not paying $10 a piece for tickets and $40 for a babysitter yeah that's pretty good too!

Another thing that I really enjoyed this weekend was the message at church. It was another one of those times when I felt like I was being spoken to directly. It was a speaker I had never heard before named "PT Lee" who works in a coordination/behind the scenes roll with the youth ministry and he was really good. I was going to include a link to his message but for some reason they haven't posted it on the website yet....I will keep checking. I hadn't brought anything to take notes with and I almost feel like I need to listen to the message again just to get everything that he was saying. He touched on a lot of things I needed to hear and with a message entitled "The Least of These" - I wasn't at all expecting to get out of it what I did. Among many many other things, it was a huge reminder that I need to focus on really one thing and everything else will fall into place. Why is it that this one simple fact is something I can (or rather need) to hear over and over again!?! I am going to try to focus my time management skills this week and make my time usage match my priorities. That's a huge job in and of itself but the effort is worth the goal. We will see how I do and maybe next Monday it won't feel like another weekend has just come and gone!

A few more pics I managed to upload over the weekend...

Like Brother...like brother

"My Boys"

Putting my money where my mouth is...

2008-04-18T06:24:00.000-05:00

Not so much a "real" post right now...just testing to see if I can upload pictures successfully. You know, we give my mom such a hard time about being "Ms. Techno" (an endearing nickname for the person who just saved her own outgoing phone message for the first time) but let's see if I can put my money where my mouth is....

Jackson and Gavin (Feb. 2007)

This is one of my FAVORITE pictures....shows just how much Gavin loves his big brother!

There go my pants....

2008-04-17T13:03:00.000-05:00

I'm feeling a little bit of pressure about this - my first blog EVER! I feel like I should say something witty or profound or better yet something very technologically savvy or hip. And instead I'm just rambling...which might be an appropriate sign of things to come if you know my tendency towards wordiness. For some, blogging may be second nature like talking on the phone to a friend or emailing - for me? Not so much. Since I have never done it before, I still don't know exactly what purpose this blog will serve. Updating my family and friends on my life? Sure - that seems like a good reason. Sharing funny stories and pictures of my two crazy kids and wonderful husband? That's a given. A chance to organize my thoughts in what sometimes can only be described as my tornado of a life? Yes that too! So how about we just agree to make it up as we go along...(do you like how I use "we" like I have any IDEA who I am talking to - yet another punch on my Funny Farm frequent visitor card). So that's it - I guess I will just be "a fly by seat of my pants kinda girl - moment to moment - yeah that's me" (name the movie - anyone?). Sounds like as good of a plan as any - so with one quick spell check (just for you Andy) and there go my pants....flying.