Pictures From Samuell Farm and Connor's Fourth Birthday

Wordless Wednesday: Sometimes There Are Just No Words...!

His Boys Can Swim!

Josh is probably going to cringe at the title for this post! Sorry, Josh! But it's true...Josh and I are going to be mommy and daddy. The wonderful reality of it all has had time to settle in and it's not so surreal as it was at first. We're gonna have a baby! Yahoo!

I was hesitant to post because as so many people warn, "anything could happen at this stage". But we are healthy and happy and I am sure that little bugger is holding on for dear life. Besides, too many exciting things are happening right now and I just have to share! We already have a heart (I believe it is four chambered at this point), lungs, and ear and eye spots.

This week, our baby's length is approximately a quarter of an inch — the size of a blueberry. Sounds pretty tiny still? Consider this for a little perspective: Our baby is 10,000 times bigger now than it was at conception a month ago.

The biggest growth this week is our baby's head (the better to store all those smarts in--thanks to Josh!), with new brain cells being generated at the rate of 100 cells per minute. How's that for a budding genius?

And talking about buds, our baby is going out on a limb this week as his or her arm and leg buds begin to sprout and grow longer (and stronger), dividing into hand, arm, and shoulder segments — and leg, knee, and foot segments (though the limb buds look more like paddles than hands or feet at this early stage).

Also forming this week are our baby's mouth and tongue. And although our embryo is just one month old, it's already gone through three sets of kidneys. The ones in place now are the permanent set and are poised to begin their important work of waste management. In about a week, our baby will start producing urine. That has got to be the sweetest little pee ever!

And speaking of urine, I wondered what exactly we were dealing with for the cost of diapers these days. Josh suggested we just rinse them out and reuse them, but I don't agree. :) So, I looked at the different prices and it seems that Sam's has a pretty good deal and the large quantity packs that I love Sam's for so much. I guess diapers won't bankrupt us after all!

**Love to all!**

My Baby is Four and the Stars Won!

Josh and I had such a "screamingly" fun time at AA Center on Saturday. We went to the Stars playoff game and they won! It was really a great game and had us on our feet quite a bit. My only complaint...they have these "ice girls" who go out and sweep the shaved iced into a shovel inbetween breaks and whatnot. They have some really cute little outfits on and are all dolled up for about 10 total minutes on the ice. I say they need to get some ice dancing routines during the periods! Put those girls to work! And entertain those of us who may get *a little* bored now and again.

Sunday morning I get a multimedia message on my cell phone...it's a picture of turkey Peter sitting on the beach in Georgia. Josh says they have some nice beaches there. So I texted him "Where are you?" and he replies "The beach, baby!", and I come back with a "Sucka!", then Peter gets me with a "You da sucka, sucka!" Yes, I might have to agree there....since I am not at the beach and he is...must be wonderful to be that close!!

We spent a couple hours at Samuell Farm that afternoon for Connor's birthday party. Man, I totally love that place! We ran around and looked at the ducks, found some water moccasins sunning themselves, and treked down every little path and through every gate we could find. We had cake and ice cream but didn't have time to open presents there because the park was closing. Edie and Bob joined us too! What a treat!

Have a nice week, all!

We Missed You, Mom and Peter!

Well, although the weather was quite chilly on Saturday, we had everyone over and BBQ'd! Everyone had a really fun time. We sat around and talked, played pool, and hung around in the backyard. Mom was not feeling well and also didn't want to spread it around so she couldn't make it. We'll catch ya next time, Ma!

I got to use my new big stock pot for the first time. Fortunatley I didn't have to clean it for the first time too...Shannon did the honors!

The Menu:

Hamburgers and Hotdogs with all the fixings (Joshie had to cut the onions)

Grilled squash, roasted tomatos and baby portobellos---- holy cow, YUMM!

Bow tie pasta with asparagus, snap peas and avocado---- double holy cow, YUMM!

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese (yes, two starches)

Apple Spice Cake with caramel sauce

The homemade mac and cheese was the big experiment. I've never made it before, none the less doubling the recipe. My math ain't so sharp. I knew right off the bat that something was wrong when none of the kids would eat it! You should have seen Cayden's face right before he spit it out! Jessie and Linds spooned out big helpings which were still on their plates at the end of dinner. The texture was horrible and it wasn't very cheesy. So--something to work on!

The spice cake was a hit, although only I know that I mixed it too long...so it may have been a little lighter otherwise. The apples were delish and the secret with the caramel sauce was just to drizzle a little over it. Too much was too much. It did look gorgeous on my new silver Lenox cake stand!

Bon Apetite, amigos!

It's Bluebonnet Time!

Live Green In Texas

Plano launched a new Live Green campaign in January and I've really been into it. I have a special fondness for our enviornment, in which we and our children need and use every day. I have a special fondness for our water supply, which can be wasted and abused at the drop of a leak, yet is essential for survival. I have a special fondness for our the air we breath and the ozone that protects our skin and lungs. I'd bet that you have a fondness for these things too. Taking action is crucial to saving the enviornment. I have made a commitment to about six of the items below...we already do the rest! From the City of Plano website, Enviornmental Services Department; Live Green in Plano:

*Add a new kind of recyclable to my cart (newspapers, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, mixed office paper, shredded paper, telephone books, paper bags, chipboard or boxboard, aluminum, steel/tin cans, plastic #1 and #2 bottles, empty aerosol cans and glass)
--Or in Dallas, call and request one of the new blue recycle carts that are available for the new recycling program!

*Buy products with less packaging or buy in bulk

*Donate, sell or buy used goods

*Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs

*Set my water heater at 120°F (instead of the typical 140°F) and save about 8 percent in energy costs

*Switch to a green energy provider (wind, solar) (PowerToChoose.com)

*Install a programmable thermostat

*Shorten my showers by one minute to cut my indoor water consumption

*Install rain sensors on my irrigation system

*Apply compost to my lawn and landscaped areas to improve my soil and reduce the need for extra watering

*Add 4 to 6 inches of mulch around my plants to cut my outdoor watering needs

*Purchase a hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicle

*Use DART or carpool

*Attend the Live Green in Plano Expo 2007 on May 5 and learn more about how to help the environment while saving money

*Sign up for one of the City-sponsored classes or programs about composting, water conservation and other green-living topics

*Take advantage of Plano Environmental Services programs and services, such as home collection of household chemicals and yard trimmings, the Electronics Recycling Program, the Household Chemical Reuse Center and Plano Material Exchange

*Be an advocate for a green lifestyle at home and at work

LIVE GREEN, TEXAS!

An Oldie But A Goodie!

We have had our first roach sighting in our new house. Yes, after being convinced my house had special roach protection barriers…we have roaches like everyone else. On this particular morning, I encountered our friend while taking a shower. It's not bad enough that I had to roll out of bed when I really didn't want to….oh no, and it's not bad enough that I was especially groggy and hazy eyed this morning. Un-cognizant of what was about to happen, I stepped into the shower and began shampooing my hair. And there he was a huge, 3 inch, loooong antenna-ed, prickly ugly legged, huge cockroach in all his nastiness. In MY bathtub! "What do I do, what do I do?" ran through my head. "Josh is still asleep. Soap is getting in my eyes. Oh shit."

Now remember with me if you will….once upon a time I was a very sensitive little girl. Once upon a time I would put all my energy into getting them out of the house alive, by method of the cup-magazine-trap or towel-shoo, rather than kill one of God's creatures. Once upon a time I cried when I smashed a roach in the doorway of my bedroom. I think mostly I was traumatized by the weird yellow chunky stuff that sprayed out everywhere than I was by the fact that I had just killed one of "God's creatures". It was horrible. So I cried, then got good 'ol mom to come clean it up! Thanks mom.

After I danced around the bathtub, running to one end as he ran toward me, then back to the other end as he slipped his way back toward me again….I knew something had to be done. And by the way, if you are thinking there is not enough room in a bathtub to run from one end to another---you should have seen it done this morning.

Plan A-1—Splash as much water on it as possible and make it go down the drain.
Plan A-2--Keep the shower head trained on the little bugger and force him down the drain.
Plan A-3—Drop something really heavy on him—not to kill God's creature…but just "stun" him a little, and shoo him down the drain.
"OK, it's getting late…SOMETHING has to be done. The shampoo is really burning my eyes."

I am starting to laugh a little now, a little embarrassed by myself. And I am really scared of that roach. But he looked a little scared too, judging by the way he kept trying to climb the sides of the tub, then slid back down all spread out trying to grab on to anything he could get his nasty little 6-inch claws and fangs onto. Ok, no fangs.
"This is going to make a great email today!" I am thinking to myself. I finally decide plan B.....

"JOOOOSSSH! I NEED YOU! I THINK THERE IS A ROACH IN THE BATHROOM".
Josh peeks his head around the corner, just as hazy and squinty eyed as I was 10 minutes ago, and says "Did I hear you say there is a roach in the bathroom?"
"Yes, and I don't know what to do and the soap is really in my eyes!!" Now mind you….I could have washed the soap out of my eyes but it was kind of hard to do that as I stood with one foot on that little-bitty ledge of the tub by the wall, and one foot on the outside edge and still keep both eyes on that sucker.

Josh spied "God's Creature" and squinched up his face more tightly and uglier than even the roach's and said "I HATE roaches, what do you want me to do?!"
Oh yes, my knight in shining armor was here.
Plan B-1—Whap it with a towel.
Plan B-2—Drop something really heavy on it…..again.
Plan B-3—Get a shoe.

Yes, we were bringing out the big guns now.
Flip flop in hand ("Why didn't he get a boot or tennis shoe or something…?"), it took three whacks, with my eyes closed so as to not see the chunky yellow stuff, and he lay twitching on his back.

The victors!
But wait…someone's got to pick it up, right?
One, two, three….NOT IT!
I laughed hysterically at our sorry selves as Josh went for toilet paper. Trying to find the right angle to grab it at, he decided to go back for more paper. Large wad in hand, it was hurriedly wrapped so as so not let any of the hand be exposed. Still trying to find the right angle…Josh goes to the trash can for reinforcements.

Still laughing hysterically (and still standing on the sides of the tub, mind you) I watch Josh come back with the wad PLUS a very convenient discarded soap box of which the roach was scooped right up in (ingenious!), and FLUSHED down the toilet! Thank God that is over.

As I scrambled to wash the soap out of my hair and eyes, EVERY and I mean EVERY last drop of water that fell out of the shower head made me jump out of my skin as soon as it hit me. I thought for sure he was back out of the pipe-graveyard to get me. He wasn't there, but I am still going to look inside the toilet each time before I sit down. You better believe that!

This was one of those weekends where I am kinda glad Monday is here. I mean, that sounded bad...let me clarify. I LOVE my weekends, and especially three day weekends (Happy Easter Egg!), and I would rather be in a weekend than in a Monday--but I think if Josh and I were any more productive our heads might explode! Kudos, my hubby! Besides on Monday's I get to start a new To-Do List for the week!

So, Friday I got out to the begonias that I had sitting out for a week now. I went a little crazy and bought four flats not realizing exactly how many flowers that was! We have begonias in our new beds in front, a huge half whiskey barrel full of them and still three more pots. And then the weather chose to go berserk so we scrambled to bring in plants in pots and cover our new azaleas. Only my pot of blue daze looks to have suffered so far--we'll check them out more tonight. After potting the begonias I asked Josh to help me carry the ladder to the front so I could clean out the rain gutter. I'll need to ask him to carry stuff for me more often, because he ended up climbing right up there and did the whole gutter! Yea! He said it smelled pretty foul...mmmm, rotten leaves!

Saturday Josh's dad came over and they installed the Bose surround sound speakers in the living room, and two additional speakers in the dinning room to really be able to blast it! Ok, it has occured to me that I don't quite like the volume of the music as loud as I used to. There was nothing better than getting ready for school in the morning, or getting ready to go out on a Friday night in high school, having my music cranked up blasting from my little stereo that I bought with babysitting money! Now days, not so much. We tested it out with a battle scene from Star Wars...WOW!! It is awesome! Meanwhile, during installation...I shopped! I hit Bed Bath and Beyond, Garden Ridge, and Kroger. Mom and I met for Mexican for lunch at Dos Charros and it was delish! The next time you visit, have the spinach enchiladas!

Sunday was so much fun at mom's house. All the kids were there, that is--the grown up kids and the little kids. We ate all afternoon long and got to visit with Peter who was in from Georgia. Dad made a WONDERFUL brisket and Shannon brought ham. Mom's potato salad won the blue ribbon, though! And as if I hadn't had a good enough weekend, Josh surprised me with the idea to stop on our way home and get the file cabinet I had been wanting. Yahoo! My very first file cabinet! We so official now! We have outgrown the small plastic file boxes we were using (leftover from college) and so now I get to develop our very own household filing system! Folks, if you don't know--I am easily occupied any time you put any sort of rubbermaid in front of me, or better yet- anything I can put in piles and label. Watch out old bills, medical reciepts, and electronic manuals...here I come!

Ok all, I am signing off. Have a great week!

Wordless Wednesday: Sometimes There Are Just No Words...!

Calling All O'Briens'! (And Johnsons'...And Blachlys')

Let us all pause for a moment and remember that for which we celebrate this upcoming spring time holiday...
...CADBURY EGGS! And "Thank you Easter Bunny, bawk bawk!" Alright, just kidding. Easter is a Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is a great time for all to make a renewed connection to the circle of life and give thanks for the fresh beginings of the year!

Spring has never held a special significance for me until more recently. I think as the years go by, the changing times influence my favorite seasons. When I was younger I always (and still do) loved fall. I think because my birthday is in October, the State Fair is in October, and during high school- it was football season. The air becomes crisp and is a welcomed break from the Texas Heat. Texas Heat gets capital letters because around here it is a proper noun.

The pressures and responsibilities of being an adult are much different as each year passes. I am a home owner now and a wife. I help run a household and hold down a job to pay for things Josh and I need and also for things we enjoy doing. I think this is why I have begun leaning toward Spring time as the season I look foward to most. With a position in life that is not as carefree as it once was, I need Spring to revitalize and refresh me! Time to clean up the drawers and closets! Time to plant the flower beds! Time to clean up the yard furniture and enjoy the night sky from the back porch! Time for a break in heating bills and a brief break before air conditioning bills! Time to feel the glorious spring breezes wash over you on a sparkling weekend morning!

So, without further ado--the Family Easter Celebration will be at mom's house on Sunday afternoon. Crudites and drinks provided. Egg hunt for one and all. Come early, stay late!
I'll see you all there!

***Have a spring-a-licious week!***