I love New Year’s Resolutions … Being that I’m a massive list maker, it is one of the things that is right up my alley. And, since I like a challenge and a goal, I handle the outrageous demands I put on myself quite well … until about mid-April.

For some reason, I always look at the start of a new school year as another chance to make resolutions. Where the New Year’s resolutions usually deal with how to make myself better, the New School Year Resolutions focus on how to be a better mom/wife.

It’s probably very odd that I think this way … oh well, add it to the list!

At any rate, these are my “resolutions” for school year 2010-11:

1. Get up earlier: I love to sleep. I mean, I REALLY love to sleep. Thankfully, I bred one child who likes to get his own breakfast and is technologically advanced enough to operate the remote on his own. The other child inherited the sleep gene. I really need to get up earlier. It would make life a lot less hectic in the morning. I’m thinking that I’ll need to phase into this. Let’s be realistic.

2. Housework: Oh lordy, do I hate housework. Actually, it’s not so much that I hate it. It’s more that my love language is quality time and when I get home at night, I want to spend time with my husband and my kids. If that means that the floor doesn’t get vacuumed – I’m ok with that. If beds aren’t made, I don’t get bent out of shape … etc. Therefore, all weekend I play catch up. I bought a planner that schedules housework. I’ve had it since December 28. I have yet to use it. I’m hopping on the train Monday!

3. Clothes Planning: I pick out kids clothes every morning after I get up. (See #1.) I really need to pick them out before – especially since my daughter is beginning to have some “opinions” on what she likes to wear.

4. Snack Planning: After I throw together an awesome outfit and find matching shoes for each kid, I make their snacks for school. Usually this involves “Do you want this for snack?” “No … then what do you want?” “No … you can’t take a sucker. Pick something healthy.” “No … that’s not healthy. Here’s a granola bar.” So, in my effort to meal plan, I’m also “Snack Planning“.

5. Meal Planning: This is going to be an adjustment for the first few weeks. I really have to get our schedules ironed out. Who’s going to be where on what night … We are a little bit frazzled during certain times of the year, but we can do it!

6. Exercise: My kids get a good amount of exercise at school, but our weather is so great here in the fall (which actually doesn’t start until November). We need to take some time to ride bikes or just take a walk during the evenings. Master Planned Communities are all the rage in Texas. I love everything about them … a plus in this area is that we have a ton of walking trails and sidewalks.

7. Bed: I have to go to bed at a reasonable hour. We have a TV in our bedroom — something I swore (before I was married) that I would never do. We lay in bed a good hour watching TV before we even think about going to sleep. We need to shut it off and count some sheep.

8. Support for Teachers: We have been continually blessed with good teachers. I have no reason to believe that this year will be any different. Since we aren’t able to do a lot in the classrooms because of our work schedules, we try to stay in constant communication with the teachers offering our support for anything that can be done outside of school hours. Cutting out papers, buying supplies to fill in the gaps in the classroom … there’s a lot that we can do and will commit to do.

9. Bible Study: Our church is doing a women’s Bible study on the book of Revelation. That book scares me to death, so I’d like to be led through it by someone other than a Hollywood movie producer. The kids will do choir classes, so I’m very excited about this.

10. No PTA Trauma: I’m one of those people that has to have a hand in everything. Being a working mom has taught me that I can’t do that when it comes to school stuff. I simply do not have the hours available to volunteer during business hours. I’ve gotten so – well, angry to be completely honest – at the lack of opportunities for working parents after hours. This year, I vow to be content to do what I can when I can. When I hear PTA members complain about the lack of parent participation when all of their planning meetings are at 10am, I will zip my lips. Please remind me. I will probably suck at this.

So those are my goals! Lofty, but attainable. Do you have anything you’d like to “brush up on” during this school year?

When we first moved to our suburb, there was a clear lack of restaurants – especially compared to what we were used too. One of the first sit-down places that opened was Chili‘s. If we could have, we would have helped hammer in the nails as they were under construction. We were so excited!

Luckily, after they opened, we were not disappointed. The dining room is large and clean. The bar is similar and offers a huge amount of seating which is nice if you don’t feel like waiting … it’s open seating.

Aside from the food, my favorite thing about our neighborhood Chili‘s is call ahead seating. We use it ALL.THE.TIME. In fact, we eat there more often, because of this feature. With 2 kids in tow, waiting an hour to be seated is not on our lifeplan.

Needless to say …. we love Chili‘s. So, when I was approached by Chili‘s for a marketing campaign, I was a sure thing.

Don and I were excited to take part and although we have our “go-to” favorites that we get every time ….

(… like yummy Southwestern Egg Rolls. Oh my goodness … they are so good.) We were committed to trying something that we otherwise might not.

We started with Skillet Queso Dip …

… served with chips, it is more like a chili and chesse dip. We absolutely loved it.

Don ordered a Jalapeño Smokehouse Burger. It looked incredible.

With applewood smoked bacon, smoked cheddar, tortilla strips, the bacon alone would be worth ordering the burger. It was so thick and juicy … it looked like heaven on a plate.

I ordered the Bacon Burger and asked for it to be sprinkled with bleu cheese.

I couldn’t believe how large this burger was. I actually had a hard time finishing it, but it was one of those times when I couldn’t put it down. The juices that were flowing out of the burger were so good. The bun was thick enough that it didn’t fall apart, but just soaked up all the juice. I was so impressed.

Each of these burgers came with fries. Don ate all of his while I didn’t take a bite of mine. That says a lot since I love the seasoning on Chili’s fries.

I hate to admit this, but we loved what we had so much that we went back again 4 days later. We, again, order the Skillet Queso and decided to split a burger since it was for lunch.

We opted for the Ultimate Stacked Burger. It has 2 patties, cheese, bacon, and onion strings.

We cut it in half and neither of us could fit it in our mouth … Now THAT my friends is saying something! We loved it … and couldn’t eat it fast enough. The quality of meat that they are using in these patties has enough fat that it makes a really flavorful juice, but is meaty enough that it stays thick even as you hold on to it in the bun. It’s a great combination. Much better than what we use at home!

Although our kids didn’t join us this time, I feel like I should add that they LOVE going to Chili‘s. As a mom who doesn’t allow them to eat junk 24 hours a day, I really appreciate the healthy options on their menu. The kids alternate between pizza, quesdilla, and macaroni and cheese. For sides, they love the steamed broccoli, corn on the cob, and mandarin oranges.

Is there a Chili‘s in your area? If you don’t eat there often or haven’t tried it in a while, I’d encourage you to go back. The new additions to the menu, as well as the old favorites are better than ever! They might have converted me to a burger girl again … I’ve fallen in love with each one I’ve tried.

* I was contacted by a marketing company working in conjunction with Chili’s. I was provided a gift certificate to cover the costs of our food, but had no other requirements in writing this review. This is my honest opinion of my experience at the restaurant.

It’s always been really important to me that I’m involved with everything. Being as social as I am, I like to be in the center of the action. I’m a planner … I’m a list maker … and although I don’t have to be the “HBIC” (that’s KY speak for “in control”), I do like being part of the process.

If you’ve read this blog for more than one hot second, you know that I’ve struggled {tremendously} with not being able to be a part of the PTA at my children’s school. Work schedules on my end and meeting schedules on their end are not a match made in heaven.

Last fall as I was browzing my school district’s website, I saw that they were looking for community members to take part in a night called “Conversations That Count”. I didn’t really know what it was about, but it was very clear that it would only be for one night and it would be at 7:00 PM. I registered and was chosen.

All interested parties were divided into groups. My group of 8 met in someone’s home. The hosts provided a full meal and we spent the evening discussing topics that were chosen for us by the district. (One of our members was the moderator and was also charged with reporting back to the main office regarding our conversation.) Our only rules were to be completely honest and be respectful of other people’s opinions. My group had a city councilman, a teacher, a district professional, a community member and 4 parents. It was an awesome experience.

From that point on, I have kept a close eye on the district website. It holds a wealth of information and a plethra of opportunities for parents. Many parents miss these postings because they are only looking at information for their campus and not the district as a whole!

In April, I served on an 8 week committee to put together organizational strategy (district-wide) for the next 5 years.  Talk about really learning the inner workings of our schools. And, in getting to set priorities for the future, I feel like I’ve done a great thing for my community.

Last week, Don and I attended a meeting that gave an in-depth discussion of the buildings and maintenance that will be funded in a November bond election. To be honest, I didn’t know much about a bond election. I only knew that one means (usually) that our taxes are about to go up. The only thing I was absolutely sure of going in was that new schools would need to be built and that we would, more than likely, be rezoned.

The presentation that they gave was incredible. A team of 30 community members have served since December working alongside board employees to make sure that our suburb continues to have not only great schools, but also high functioning facilities with as little waste as possible.

I was so angry when a man seated across from us bashed the process the entire time. He huffed and he puffed and he complained until I nearly had to smack his hand. (Don did great in keeping his mouth shut to this bully, by the way.) The man came in with an agenda that was self-serving and with a bad attitude. Although they answered his concerns several times in the presentations with facts, background information, and projections that went out for the next 12 years … he couldn’t seem to break free of the fact that he was outnumbered.

I really wanted to say to him “Everyone had an opportunity to be on the committee. If you felt THIS strongly about what was going on, why did you not take part?”

I’ve learned through this process that if you REALLY want to be a part of something and if you REALLY feel strongly about your position, there is always a place for you to serve. For me, I thought the PTA was the only place that I could have a voice in the schools. Little did I know that there was a place – a perfect fit for me – where I can have an even greater impact. I just needed to look outside of what I already knew.

And now that I’ve been able to be part of the process, for not only my child, but for every child in my community, I’m even more convinced that I live in the greatest school district in the US.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve absolutely loved music. I’ve loved singing it, playing it, hearing it, studying it …. it’s a huge part of who I am.

I love finding new music and finding new arrangements of favorites from the past. One of the shows that has done that for me is “So You Think You Can Dance”. Last season, they introduced me to one of my now favorite artists Roisin Murphy.  Ramalama (Bang Bang) and Ruby Blue are so catchy! In fact, one of my husband’s percussion ensembles even performed an arrangement of Ramalama.

This week, I heard another tune that has captured my heart – Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri. It’s an amazing and moving piece that is absolutely gorgeous.

Like so many songs, the lyrics remind me of a former friend and a different time in my life. Isn’t that what makes us love music so often? The lyrics take us back to a different time or place in our life …. or somewhere that we’d like to be.

Is there a song you love right now? Leave the name/artist in the comments. I’ll check it out!

Do you ever have those times when your life starts to sprinkle …

… and then it picks up a little more …

… … and then the bottom completely drops out ….?

That’s where I am right now.

I can’t pinpoint when the sprinkles started. I tend to deal with those fairly well. The light rain for me comes when finances begin to get involved. I’m extremely cautious with money. If I’m ever stressed out, it would be a safe bet that it has to do with money. I love to live by a monthly budget and when things don’t fall into that plan – I begin the silent freak-out.

Things were already tight this month. We had a week of paying full daycare for both kids (double yikes) and a car trip to Kentucky which cost 5.5 tanks of gas. Those two things, above and beyond our other expenses, have made June one of those months when the belt is tightened.

Then, on Monday, the bottom dropped out and I’m pretty sure I even heard some thunder. It happened around 11:45 AM as we were traveling through Memphis. At the split of an interstate, a semi came into the right lane cutting off traffic. There was a pileup in which we were the last car. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

I haven’t been involved in an accident since I was 16, so this was a new adventure for me. The first thing I did was grab my iPhone and open up my Progressive Insurance app. It had my insurance information and the information for filing a claim. Hallelujah for Progressive being so easy to deal with …

But, of course, all the way home I wondered where this $500 deductible was going to come from. Thankfully, we have a low deductible … but USING it wasn’t in my list of things to do this month.

Now, on top of all this, I’ve hurt my back. Actually, I hurt it early last week scrubbing the toilet. (Leave it to me to pull a muscle cleaning … that’s how I roll.)  It was getting a little better, but I think the wreck didn’t help. Now, it’s really bad. Any normal year, I would pack up and head to the doctor … but this year I decided to take part in an HSA insurance program. Since it’s a savings plan, I have to foot all medical costs upfront.

Medical Costs + Already Stressed Out + Car Deductible = Wake me up July 1.

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27

Dear Avery,

I can not ever remember a time when I didn’t want to be a mom. Like so many little girls, I was rarely found without a baby doll on my hip. I had dozens of them … all named and each with their own pretend personality. I prepared myself as a child for the day that you would arrive.

And so it came, June 9, 2003 … the day that I’d waited my whole life for. The birth of a baby to be all mine. Would you be a boy or a girl? Only the ultrasound technician knew – you were a gift from God and our big surprise.

You entered this world so peacefully and easily. I’m not the least bit surprised when I look back now … that’s exactly how you are. Calm, well-behaved, and controlled - even 7 years later.

Little boy, your personality is so much like mine. I can look at you and read you from cover to cover without you uttering a word. I feel your pains and your joys. We have a special bond and friendship because of that, and although it makes me carry your weight a little heavier than I might otherwise, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love every little thing about you. Your smile can light up an entire room. I love that when you tell a story, you are so engaged that you can block out the entire world around you. I adore that you pick out the harmony parts to songs on the radio and don’t understand why other’s can’t do that too. I smile when I think about the fact that when you really LOVE something … you love it forever. (How many times have we watched the movie “Cars”? Or listened to the song “Fireflies”?) You love with your whole heart … nothing less.

Most of all, I thank you that even at the age of 7, you are already the glue of our family. It’s you, sweet little boy, that invented “Click Family Game Night”. And even when your dad and I would rather just watch you and Piper play, you are the one that insists that we can only play a 4 player game or it doesn’t count as “Family Game Night”. And, in the end, I’m always glad that you did.

You, Avery, are my joy and light. And, although I shutter at the mere thought of you being 7, I can not wait to see where you go in the future. The world is yours and I’m behind you wherever it takes you.

Happy Birthday, Punky … you’re the sweetest child I’ve ever known.

I love you,
Mommy

This is a book that Avery wrote to me as a class project regarding Mother’s Day. You can learn a lot about how your kids see you from these projects!

I’ve copied this one exactly how it is written:

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY by Avery

Dedication: To my mom bekaus she is nise to me.

My mom likes puppys, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas. She likes puppys bekus they are cute. My mom also likes Valentine’s Day bekuse she gets lots of cards. And last but not liest she likes Christmas bekus she gets to hafe lots of time with me. My mom likes puppys, Valentine’s Day, and Christmas.

My mom does not like rats, bugs or violent TV. She doesn’t like rats because they are scary. She does not like bugs because they bite. She does not like violent TV because I might watch it. My mom does not like rats, bugs, or violent TV.

My mom looks mad, clean and happy. She looks mad when I get marks. She looks clean when she puts clean clothes on. She looks happy when I clean my room. My mom looks mad, clean and happy.

My mom helps me read, organise, and play video games. My mom helps me read when I can’t read a word. My mom helps me organise when I don’t know what goes were. My mom helps me play video games when I need help getting her email address. My mom helps me read, organise and play video games.

My mom makes me feel happy, sad and loved. My mom makes me feel happy when she takes me to fun places. My mom makes me feel sad when she says no. My mom makes me feel loved when she snuggles with me. My mom makes me feel happy, sad and loved.

About the Author: Hello I am Avery. I like puppys, animals, and my frinds.

I recorded this yesterday, but soon after, found out my daughter has strep. Thus the delay in hitting “publish”.

I’ve been wanting to do a lot more vlog’ing and yesterday, my friend Sarah, gave me the perfect opportunity! (She’s becoming quite the vlog’er!)

It’s called “Monday Mingle”. You can find 3 questions posted at Eighty MPH Mom … all you do is answer via vlog and link back. I’ve watched several of the bloggers who have linked up. It’s really interesting!
1. What is the hardest *physical* thing you have ever done? (Giving birth, running a marathon, etc.)

2. What is one of the hardest things you have ever done emotionally? (Saying goodbye to a loved one, watching your babies grow up, etc.)

3. Name one thing from your bucket list – something you hope to achieve before you die.

Here are my answers!

For many different reasons and with much excitement, I’ve decided to set up a Facebook Fan Page. So often, people will write and say “I read your blog all the time …”. I’m completely flattered and so appreciative. I enjoy what I do and am happy that someone other than my family is stopping by!

We all have something to share and many times a blog can be very one-sided. I really hope the Fan Page will allow us to have dialogue and actually discuss issues instead of it just being my opinion on the matter.

Don’t worry, we’ll be doing more than discussing posts! I’ll share savings tips, hot sales, celebrity tidbits, and current events. I want you to feel free to post these things too. Oh, and don’t forget the giveaways and product reviews. They’ll be linked to the Fan Page as well.

So what are you waiting for? Hop on over … I hope you “LIKE” it there.

I can hardly believe that, as of Saturday, we’ve lived in Texas for four years. It truly seems like yesterday that we were packing boxes and babies (still in diapers) and heading out into a future that was clear as mud.

Avery & Piper in 2006

It was a time in our lives that I can look back on now and smile. We were stuck in a rut that was beginning to consume us, trying desperately to break loose, but hitting major obstacles at every turn. Moving to Houston, we knew, would either kill us or make us thrive. Thankfully, it has been wonderful.

Texas has not felt the economic crunch that so many other states have. Our educational system isn’t facing the deep cuts that are prevelant nationwide. And, we’ve been blessed to have surrounded ourselves with people that have given us wise advice so that we’ve made smart decisions that are now working to the benefit of our family.

People always seem to ask if we’ll ever move back to Tennessee. I can honestly answer “no”. Our times there were wonderful & we have such fond memories, but Texas is our home now. It feels right to us … We love it.

Avery & Piper in 2010

Our children have lived more years as Texans than as “Volunteers”. They were potty-trained here, started school here, and have no memories of living elsewhere. That still seems so weird to me. Time really does fly!

There’s a bumper sticker that says “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as soon as I could.” I agree 100%.

God bless, Texas. Thank you for being so good to us!!! Here’s to many more years, memories, & good fortunes!