Thanksgiving

We are getting ready for Thanksgiving around here.  My parents and Grandmother arrive tomorrow, so all rooms are being cleaned and the rest of the house is being straightened.  I have most of the cooking done - thanks to a quiet weekend.  I know Thursday will still be crazy because throwing it all together always takes a LOT of coordinating.  Caroline will help with the table today and Cole is going to make turkey place cards/napkin holders.

Our menu includes turkey, sweet potatoes, 3 bean casserole, cranberries, rosemary rolls, roasted brussel sprouts and we will have chocolate and pumpkin pie.  Hopefully we will have something for everyone!

We don't have too many plans.  We will head to Cowboy Stadium on Saturday to watch the Carroll Dragons and see Caroline in the band. They do a great playoff show called "LIDS".  The drumline plays on trashcans while the rest of the band, cheerleaders, and Emerald Belles dance a little jig.

I am also hoping to get our Christmas decorating finished by Sunday.  We are all excited to get into the holiday season.  Heck!  We might even start decorating today!

Fall 2009

Wow! It's already been 2 months since my last post. I don't know exactly what I've been doing with my life. I have been painting quite a few rooms... the kitchen, family and breakfast rooms, the gameroom, hallway, and Caro's room.  I'm not posting any after pics because my house is a wreck!  I have 2 sick boys and they are strewn across the family room furniture.

We've been up to our eyeballs in sports and activities...

Cole's baseball team was undefeated this fall.  He hasn't stopped talking about "run-ruling" several of the teams.  Here he is after their crazy sock scrimmage at the end of his season.  I really think his coach wanted them to wear crazy socks as a silent message to the other coach  - "just in case we lose, this is just a scrimmage.  we are already undefeated for the season!"  Yes, his coach was quite serious about the wins.

Brooks played as a Green Dragon this fall.  He really enjoys playing on his new team.  He also played flag football this fall.  He is blowing everyone away on the trumpet since he's 2 years ahead of the other kids down here.

Reed is playing soccer for the DFW Tornadoes this year.  We've had lots of fun watching his team progress as they are developing their foot skills and their communication skills!  This weekend was the coldest of the season.  We played 3 games in 40° weather.  It was COLD!

In August, we rode the lite rail to Dallas.  We stood in line for a few HOT hours to see the Disney Christmas Carol Train.

Early this fall, Reed, Brooks and I ran in the "Run in the Dark" 5k race.  It was really exciting to run in my first race and for it to be dark!  I told the kids that I was completely discombobulated at the beginning of the race.  You hear the gun go off and everyone starts running.  You have to run fast enough to stay in front of those behind you and run slow enough that you don't run over those in front.  A few minutes into it, your body realizes that you really need to find your own pace, and by that time the people were spreading out.  Brooks and I stuck together through most of the race.  However, as the finish line came closer, his competitive streak took over and he turned on the speed to try to beat a few of his friends.  It was a great night full of great accomplishments!

We had some special visitors over Columbus Day.  Our friends Joy, Hannah, Jennifer, and Borden came for the weekend.  We shopped and experienced a Texas Rodeo.  We had lots of fun exploring the Ft. Worth Stock Yards for the first time.

Caroline's Halloween costume was my favorite this year.  She created an Oompa Loompa costume on her own!  She looked really cute and had lots of fun both on Halloween and at the band's Masquerade Ball.

... and now the holidays are upon us!

We spent Thanksgiving in Union City this year with Tim's parents.  It was a wonderfully relaxing weekend.  The kids watched lots of movies, read several books, and played Canasta.  I read Shanghai Girls and Pinstripes and Pearls, and slept in every day!

The weekend we got back, Caroline and I were thrilled to host a Christmas Tea for many of my sorority sisters.  We had a great time watching the sweet little girls eat all of the yummy treats and open a new ornament.  I especially enjoyed meeting all of the "mini-me's" - the daughters of my sisters.  Here they all are with their new ornaments.

Life in Southlake is finally feeling familiar.  We are settled into our new home - so settled that I put out all of our Christmas decorations!  The boxes are long gone and the furniture is in place.  The rooms are mostly in order and almost all of them are a new color.  We love the weather down here.

 It has been cold for 3 weeks (even a day of snow), but today it was 72° and tomorrow it will be 70°!  The sun is here for and entire week and I am LOVING IT!  There is something about cloudy days that makes me want to stay in bed all day long.

Oh, I forgot to mention that my friend, Amy, and I have been on the tracks of a few well-knowns (at least they are well-known by us)!  In November we spent the evening listening to Donald Miller speak while on his book tour.  If you haven't read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, you really should.  I love his idea of "life as a story" and I am in the process of changing everyday of my own life.  I want to happen to my own life rather than letting life happen to me!

The first night of December, Amy and I drove to Dallas, through torrential rain and slowly creeping traffic, to see Pioneer Woman.  We've been reading her blog for, oh, 3 years (before she had advertisements), and we wanted to see her/meet her in real life.  So, we spent 3 hours sitting 15 feet from her, watching people bring her gifts and take their pictures with her.  We were a little slow to the party and we ended up as approximately #750 and #751 in line.  We never met her, but we did get a few up close shots of her and we got our PW t-shirt.  You might think we are crazy, but we saw more of PW than those who got her signature!  They were wrapped around the store in line for hours.  The ladies who had the same color bracelet as we did got their book signed around 1:00 am.  I even found some proof that we had the best seat in the house on Everyday Blessings.  If you scroll down and look closely, you'll see Amy and I smack dab in front of PW.  I am putting on my coat to leave in another shot.  We had fun just being part of the whole experience!

We had so much fun taking Christmas pictures this year.  We drove over to the Ft. Worth Stockyards to visit a western-wear store.  We found fancy shirts, hats, and boots and set up our tripod in the boot section.  It was an hour of fun as we sorted through our choices.  The store had beautiful clothing - I left feeling like I'd like to buy me some duds and head out to the nearest Country&Western dance hall for some boot-scootin' fun.  In fact, that is on our list for next year - we need to re-learn the art of kicker dancing.  I'll let you know how it goes!

Merry Christmas, Y'all!  I'll see ya next year.

Through the Fence

It's a bit unnerving for me to find myself in the stands while he is on the field. It's been raining and it's chilly. The mud stains won't be easy to erase from the white fabric, but the uniform is sharp with the white and green. He doesn't look cold. In fact, the pitcher continuously sheds his hat to wipe his brow. The field must rev the adrenaline to heat our boys.

He's ready for anything. I'm wondering when his dad will arrive. There's a runner on 2nd and now one walks to first. Time is called and the 2nd visit to the mound occurs. Suddenly I hear his name called from the bucket. He's up and so is my blood pressure. He heads to the mound to take the heat from another. I find that the heat in the field is spreading to the stands.

He is a novice pitcher. He is an aspiring pitcher. He practiced with our pitch-back almost every day last week. He was working on a change-up which continues to evade his hand. It is frustrating, but he won't let that stop him. We continually remind him that you have to work at everything in order to be successful. and he knows it. God gave him natural talent, but he still must refine his abilities by repeatedly throwing, swinging and catching.

Calls are being made from all sides of the field. Those on base listen to their respective coaches. Demands are made from the bucket. and from the dugout. Signs come from the plate. He pulls his leg high, reaches out and launches the ball while leaning toward the front of the mound. He's nervous but confident - I can tell because I've known him his entire life. I read the determination and optimism on his face.

Slowly his face undergoes a slight change. I watch as he releases the ball too early, or too late. "Blue" holds the range tight. Each sling must be perfectly placed along the beltline today for a favorable call. Another player makes it to first. Now the three bases are full. That face that I have kissed a million times continues to show determination but his confidence is waning. The catcher brings the ball to my boy, patting him on the back and reminding him that he can do it. Encouraging words from his friend bring back a glimmer of confidence.

I remain in the bleachers. He seems so far, but we are just 50 feet from each other. I know he can do it. Throwing strikes is the goal, but doubt has taken over and the ball hits the dirt. Another meeting with the catcher. The bucket is getting louder, with encouragement, and LOTS of instructions. He glances at me on the way back to the mound. He suddenly stops and focuses only on me. It is all I can do not to race toward him. "You can do it," I say. But he is not sure. Doubt, frustration, overload - they are there to stay.

Relief arrives as he returns to his comfort zone - just to the left of 2nd base. I know that boy. I can read the frustration and desperation as they sit on his shoulders. I know he could have done it. He was just an out away from the end of the inning. Once again, I am reminded, he is only 12. Experience tells me he will make it through the next time.

I will be ready for him after the game. Ready to tell him that we are proud of him. Ready to remind him that of greatest importance, he is who God says he is. Ready to wrap him in my arms with a hug that will fill him again with hope. Yet, for now, I am overcome with helplessness as I observe it all through the fence.

Over the Hump

The weather man just reported that he thinks "we are over the hump with the worst of the summer weather...." He quickly showed the weather map with an incoming cold front; however, he went on to say that a high pressure system will prevent it from getting all the way to our area. The good news is that there was not one day with a forecast over 97° - what a relief!

I have exactly 11 minutes to write a quick update on life. Reed and Tim have gone to soccer practice and I will soon have to get on with the grilled chicken. Our tomato tart and 3-bean casserole are in the oven. After firing up the grill I am going to secretly make an easy dessert - crescent rolls with chocolate hidden inside. My people will be SO happy with me in just an hour or so. Life is Good!

Brooks made a new friend on the baseball team he played with in July. Matthew is a spunky 11 year old trumpet playing catcher who lives behind the local longhorns. No, not the University of TX type, but the cow type. Did you know that longhorns only have one row of teeth, if the leader of the pack isn't eating the rest don't eat either, and they have the longest tongues you have ever seen?

here's the boss...

Brooks feeding one...

That's Reed's arm, not the longhorn's tongue, by the way. and below is Brownie - our favorite of all.

This was a bit of Texas I never imagined that we would experience.

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Academy. For those of you who aren't from Texas, Academy is a very large sports store with a little bit of everything. We were purchasing a new tennis racket for Brooks, along with some tennis clothes for him. Cole was bent out of shape because I warned him that we would be only buying for Brooks. As he usually does, he ignored my warnings and found a few things he was interested in...

His daddy just couldn't resist that face and soon he was doing a real sales job on us...

Happily, he left the store sporting goods from the Rangers and the Cowboys. I don't think he's gone a day without that hat. Of course, down here, one needs a hat all day long.

Dinner has now ended and I will wrap up the weekly summary:

I am now proud to announce that I have gone 10 entire days without a sip of Diet Coke. He doesn't know it, but one day I sipped about 1/2 of Tim's Coke Zero, but I'm not counting that. I drink mostly water and tea. I also found St. Croix in Lemon flavor which I like pretty well. I am also trying my best to cut high fructose corn syrup out of my diet - and that is no small feat. That stuff is in everything!

I am headed to Boot Camp in the morning at 5:30 a.m. My usual time is 7:15, but the kids have had activities the past 2 mornings. I am loving Boot Camp, too. It's hard (although not as hard as I expected). The worst is getting up in the morning - but that's nothing new. I have struggled with early morning rising for at least the past 30 years.

Ok, I have to head to bed. It's been a good week and we are all adapting well. School is just around the corner and we are all excited. We do miss Tennessee and the friends we left behind. In fact, these pictures brought tears to my eyes tonight. I am so sorry I missed watching this event in person.

Congratulations, Audrey and Grace!

5 Days

I just have to report on the latest happening of my life. I have lived 5 entire days without drinking Diet Coke! I set it as a goal on Day 2 of Boot Camp - and am shocked that I haven't really craved it - well... until Tim offered me one this morning. He knew the goal was through the end of the week (which I had already confirmed the ending date was Friday). It's the carbonation that I crave and I'm pretty happy to be off the aspartame. LaCroix Lemon is my new drink of choice. Thank goodness for Central Market! It's just 5 minutes away and they carry LaCroix in every flavor.

Yippee!

I'll have to tell you more about Boot Camp, the endless summer days, and my new life. I am trying to get back into a regular pattern - but it's hard when life is full of chaos - and lots of new places to explore!

We have 16 days till school starts and it can't come soon enough. The kids are ready to make new friends and I am ready to have a few hours of time to think! and do laundry. and paint. and organize all closets. and plan meals. and take naps. and relax in the pool. and go to the grocery store. and play a bit of tennis. and make a few new friends of my own. and play more tennis. This week we need to go shopping for new shorts. I heard tonight that we'll be wearing them through November.

That's ok... I am officially EMBRACING THE HEAT! I think that's my new motto.

Texas

I just signed in to post and realized that my last post was exactly a month ago today.  That surprises me - it really seems like months since I've taken the time to sit and reflect on what is going on.  I'm relieved that I have a chance to sit.  I feel like I've been on my feet dealing with boxes for the past 3 months straight.  That really is the darn truth.  The past 2 months I loaded boxes and last week I began unloading them.  I could reflect on how overwhelming it is to pack a box one day and 3 days later, in a different state, you have to unload the same box and find a place to put the stuff.  BUT I'd rather report on all of the fun things we have seen and experienced these past 2 weeks.

We left Oak Ridge on Friday morning the 26th - after a quick trip to Asheville to pick up Caroline at camp.  We ran by the house to pick up the last few things still there (and the dog) and then we headed to Union City for a few nights with Tim's parents.  It was great to visit with them.  We slept and ate and relaxed.  It was exactly what I needed as I was at the brink of exhaustion.

Sunday we got up early to drive approximately 540 miles.  As the miles increased on our odometer, the mercury on the thermometer also increased.  By the time we arrived in Dallas, it was 104°.  We saw 5 grass fires on the side of the highway within about 20 minutes.  Our breaks with Sassafras were brief since it was so hot.  She was a fabulous traveller, by the way.  I think she loved her own private place in the back of the Yukon XL.

The movers were here when we arrived.  They were quite hot.  Kenny kept reminding me that he had lived in Dallas for 4 months and that was as long as he could take it.  Lucky for them, the next 2 days were cloudy and cool, so it wasn't as unbearable as that first day.  It hasn't rained yet since we've been here.  One day we might have had a few drops, but not much at all.  The kids don't mind, though.  As long as it's sunny and hot, they can enjoy the pool as long as they can stand it.

I feel lost in the gigantic grocery stores here.  The first trip I took was quite overwhelming and I stuck to the basics - milk, bread, tortillas, butter, eggs, etc.  Later that day I decided to stop in at the Central Market.  It was so amazing that I had to call Tim in the middle just to tell him how unbelievably unbelievable it was/is.  It is most similar to Freshfields? in Kiawah and also similar to Fresh Market - but more like Fresh Market on steriods.

I am doing quite well getting around.  If I drive out of my neighborhood and to the right, I can find most anything if I look around enough - and it's all within 7 minutes.  Amazing.  Time saving.  Wallet threatening.  HOT.

I think I'll close this post with my neighbor's statement today.  He tells his Canadian family that he survives the summers here with 3 things - air conditioning, pools, and frozen margaritas.  Yep.  That's life in Southlake in a nutshell.  Constantly seeking cool air - occasionally floating in the pool - and concocting any frozen beverage to sip before it melts in this extreme heat!  I have a feeling my rarely used blender is going to be a permanent fixture on my counter!

A Picture That Says It All

One last journal entry from Cole in his 1st grade class:

An Unusual Fortune

I spent the weekend in Destin.  It was sunny and warm - not a cloud in the sky.  Well, there were a few on Saturday, but the sun was still out!  I had the fun of surprising my friend Toni for her birthday.  Her husband flew her in on Thursday night and we were waiting for her in the hotel lobby when she walked in.

I had so much fun with 3 girls who I hadn't seen in almost 5 years!  We stayed up late, late, late and slept till we woke up.  Since I was on Eastern Time, I was up earlier, so I read on the balcony overlooking the pool.  

Friday we spent the day at the pool.  We all had books, but I don't think any of us read a single word because we talked non-stop.  Friday night we went to see "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" followed by dinner at PF Changs.  

We were eating late, but couldn't pass up the Great Wall of Chocolate for Toni's birthday.  I think we left exactly 1/2 a layer on the plate because we were already so full.  My new favorite is the Dynomite Shrimp.  It is delish!  

As we left, we all got our usual fortune cookies.  My fortune said "you will soon move into a wonderful new home"!  What a stunning truth!  

Saturday we coaxed our friend Debra to the beach.  She really hates the sand and I think she spent most of the morning cleaning it out of her fingernails.  

BUT we were thrilled to have her along in spite of the grit.  Can you believe, out of the 4 of us, I was the only one to dip my toes in the water!?  It was extremely cold, but there were quite a few brave souls out there in the surf!  

We were on the beach for 6 hours non-stop.  It was breezy and warm.  I put my sunscreen to the test and continued to reapply. 

 It worked quite well, as I am only red in the spots that I missed.  Unfortunately for Beth and Toni, they were both a bit lobster-ish yesterday.

Saturday night we enjoyed dinner at Commander's Palace on the patio.  We had a great waiter to keep us entertained.  

My favorite was the bread pudding souffle' which Toni and I each enjoyed.  Beth had the 3-day Cheesecake, which was yummy!

My final day was eventful in the airport as we boarded and deplaned a few times while trying to work around tornadoes.  I was a bit delayed, but got home before midnight.  My wonderful husband greeted me with a smile at the door.  It was a terrific getaway that I will always remember with great fondness.  I think Toni was truly surprised to see me, which was fun.

Cole bounded out of bed this morning to tell me how excited he was yesterday because I was coming home.  I think they all had a great time with their dad.  On the way to school, Cole said it was one of the greatest weekends of his life.  I think it was one of mine, too!

Ramsey Cascades

My friend Laurel invited me to join her on a Wildflower Hike to Ramsey Cascades in April. 

 Below is part of the path bordered by Dwarf Crested Iris...

We joined a group for the day and made our way along the "strenuous" path to the 90 ft. waterfall.  The scenery was wonderful.  

We crossed several footbridges over the river and climbed from 2400 ft. to 4200 ft.  Half way up we came to a clearing with 3 gigantic Tulip Poplars.  They are over 7 ft. in diameter.  I look tiny compared to those trees!

We were amazed by the roots protruding from the ground in the Old Forest.  There were all sorts of ferns, columbine, violets, iris, and moss along the path.  

 The path was steep and rocky in some places - especially as we made our ascent to the top. 

 The last 1.5 miles were very steep and the final 200 ft. required us to climb large boulders to the rock ledge.  It was well worth it!  The view was amazing!

The hike down was a bit easier (after we got past the boulders).  The birds kept us company all day.  Plus, we saw one small chipmunk and a snake!

Aside from the falls, my favorite discovery was a tree that had fallen on it's side. 

 Where the roots had pulled up from the ground, wildflowers began to grow.  It's hard to see the flowers, but when looking straight on, it was a wall of flowers.

We had an enjoyable "1-day" vacation from our daily routine.  We were home by 4:00 - it was quite a workout!  8 miles in 4 hours, climbing almost 2000 ft.  Whew!  I was tired by the end of the trip but it was one I will never forget!  Oh, and by the way, I captured a few sights and sounds for you while I was there....