Happy 20th Birthday, Avery
Happy 20th Birthday, Avery. You’re no longer a teen – you made it! You survived those crazy years that made you who you are! You survived high school, a pandemic, and the first half of college … Shew! That’s a lot.
Last week, just before you left for drum corps, you sat in the family room with your dad and I. We were just chatting about nothing much – a little of this and a little of that. When you left the room to walk upstairs, I looked at your dad and said “He’s a really fantastic kid.” I believe that with my whole heart. The world could use more people like you. You are funny, so bright, wise, and thoughtful. You are a gift.
I hope that this year brings you joy and peace. Fun with friends and travel and experiences. Peace in your heart and with your decisions. You have a conscience that pulls at your heartstrings – let it always be your guide.
I can’t wait to see you out on the field with The Cavaliers this summer. Watching you perform is one of my absolute favorite things. You are pure magic and have so much energy! Your talent is off the charts – I’m so glad that you are using it to your full potential. You’re a star.
Happy birthday, Avery. I am forever and always your biggest fan. You make me so proud.
I love you,
Mom
“``
We’re Back
We're back from Disney. I can almost feel my feet again ... more on our trip later, just know - it was a success!!!Last night, we decided to order pizza, take it easy, and rest. We got settled in...
Trip Plans
I don't have good packing pics yet, so place that post on hold ... What I do have is our full agenda. This is gonna be fun!!!!Saturday:Fly, land, blah blah blahWatch the Christmas parade (they taped...
Disney Prep
I've been reading about "The Baggallini Messenger Bag" for years on the Disney message boards. They are supposed to be the deal for traveling to Disney World. They run about $45, and I had a $20...
I swear this will be my last post about Britney …
... after today, I will only post about Disney World. (4 days).Love the new CD ... buy it. It's great.Also, I'm going to her concert on March 30 at the Toyota Center. The Pussycat Dolls are opening...
Sinus Drama
I don't know what it is about the weather lately. It started with Piper on Saturday - I noticed that she was starting to sniffle a little. I woke up on Sunday stopped up. Now, today, we're both a...
Merry Christmas from the CC Print Team
Send your own ElfYourself eCards
Our Christmas Dance – Part One
Send your own ElfYourself eCards
Britney Spears … She’s back!
I can't wait for this to air. Mark your calendars ... I won't be available unless you want to call me during commercials to discuss the details :)PS - Of course, I've already pre-ordered her album...
Fall Riot 2008
The video below is a recap of Fall Riot 2008 at Second Baptist Church (West Campus). I love that my church is doing things to reach teenagers where they are and on their level. Although I'm not a...
Good-bye Lipstick Jungle 🙁
I got word today that NBC has canceled Lipstick Jungle. They have 5 unaired episodes that they aren't sure they are even gonna show. Seriously ... Oh, and the reason for the cancellation ... get...
If I could do it again …
If I had it to over again, I would write down all the funny things that my kids say. I was reminded to this today when I found a piece of paper that said, "Don't tell Dad that I was being bad. It's...
Gold Medal Big Brother
I went on and on about Piper yesterday on her birthday ... however, let me tell you about sweet, sweet little Avery. God bless his compassionate little soul. He's really an 80 year old man trapped...
Happy Birthday, Piper
I can't believe my baby is four years old. I am really kind-of sad. I hate to see her grow up although I love each year with her more than the last. With both kids, I always catch myself saying "I...
Hurricane Survivor
Before & After picture of Crystal Beach, TXWe survived Hurricane Ike ... something that I hopefully won't have to say again. Since the last "big one" was in 1900, the chances that I'll endure...
Ike
We are sheltering-in-place, although we are starting to second guess that choice. We definitely have enough food and water to last at least a week, but the lack of electricity seems to be a real...
The Other Woman
There's a new woman in Avery's life. According to him, she's the smartest person in the world. And, she's kind, considerate, and did I mention smart - she knows everything. To top it off, her name...
My Little Clothes Horse
Everyone .... hear my words .... no more summer clothes for Miss Piper. I know that the little girl stuff is the cutest. I understand. Walk on by. All of these items fit my child. This is after I...
My Future Olympic Gymnast
Avery has, for the past two years, taken gymnastics. He loves it and we love the exercise that he gets from it. Last year, his coach made a point to let us know that he felt like he was "gifted" in...
Tropical Storm Let Down
Well, Edouard fizzled out. He was headed straight to Galveston and expected to be a Category 1 by the time it made landfall. Somewhere along the road, it made a turn north and landed a little...
Tidbits of useless info 🙂
(1) Here are pictures of the hairbows that I got for Piper at Sam Moon. I'm so excited for Piper to be "Bows Gone Wild" ... These are a big enough size that they should last for a while.(2) The...
Sam Moon and IKEA
It was a day of shopping. I had to go to a store that I've heard about for over a year. Twice there have been trips planned to go here, only to have them not pan out at the last minute. I decided to...
A Berry Good Smoothie
I ran across a fantastic (and easy and cheap) recipe for a smoothie. It is so incredibly good for you, too! I need to jump back on the "healthy" bandwagon, so I tried it and now can't get enough.1...
Vertically Challenged and other random happenings
Let me start by saying what an incredible weekend that I had. I was by myself for three straight days - no husband, no kids. I honestly can not remember the last time that happened. I'm fairly...
Great Link on Houston Pastors
Fabulous link on some of Houston's best Pastors ...http://www.chron.com/channel/houstonbelief/photogallery/Houstons_Celebrity_Preachers_.html
The Water Heater
Our water heater is in our garage. I remember very specifically the day they installed it during the building process. It has a sticker on the front - you know the one, with the red X indicating not...
No More Click Babies
All my babies are grown. It's a sad realization. Gone are all the cribs ... gone are all the toddler beds. The kids now both have twin beds - beds that they could sleep in for the rest of their...
Why Not To Buy An iPhone … just yet
Dear Ms. McKezel,I just spoke to Dana XXX on your customer service line. She indicated that I needed to fax items to you to initiate an adjustment on my bill. Please, however, let me give you the...
Question of the Day
I had a wonderful time in San Antonio at the DCI show. It's always great to catch up with friends and former students - this show is one of the highlights of my year for that exact reason. A lot of...
Piper’s Room ReDesign
Don and I love looking at model houses. It's been one of our favorite past times since we moved to Texas. If you know anything about where we live, you'll know that it's a hot-bed for builders. It...
iPhone 3G
You've heard the hype ... You've heard the buzz ... You've heard the lines forming outside malls all over the world ... Well, you've never heard a story like mine.7 hours and 10 minutes after I...
What’s For Dinner?
I love to cook ... correction, I love to bake. Unfortunately, you can't have cupcakes, brownies, the latest and greatest Tollhouse treat for dinner, so it does resort to some cooking. I'm very lucky...
School Supply Mania Begins
Geez o'pete! The school supply list was published today. It's a far cry from when I went to school - show up with a pencil and a spiral bound notebook (of your choosing) and you are set!Here is the...
Where Is What I’m Trying To Find????
My purse is a disaster area. I do really well for about 2 weeks. (Same seems to run true with my car.) It is filled with receipts, coupons, children's socks, lipgloss, mints, change, and random...
Our First TX House
(Our first Sunday in the house ... going to church!)I'm sad today. I found out that our first TX house is now in foreclosure.I know that a house is merely material, and to be quite frank - we only...
Maria Sue Chapman
Last night as we were laying in bed watching the news, a story ran that Stephen Curtis Chapman's five year old daughter, Maria, had been killed in an accident at their home. A pit just came into my...
I am …
i am listening to: Slacker (online radio station - thanks Kaylan!)i think: i might be smarter and more capable than I give myself credit for.i know: that Don loves me.i want: gas prices to go down.i...
HBD Don and A List of Character
Happy Birthday, Don!First of all, I'll have to say that I can't believe you are 40. If you're 40, then I have to be ... well, let's not even talk about that! ... Happy Birthday to the best husband...
Lucky Me
For some reason tonight, I've had on my mind how incredibly lucky I am to have my sweet little family.Don is such an incredible husband. I can't even begin to name all of the wonderful things he...
New Year’s Resolution(s)
(1) Lose weight ... Laugh if you will. I vow to shed the 20 pounds that have found me since the birth of my first child. I'm down 3 already. Don is down 10. We've adapted a healthy eating lifestyle,...
Lots of lots-ofs
First things first - we leave for Disney in 13 days. I apologize with the continuous countdown, but you only have to endure it for the next two weeks. Then, that will be quickly replaced with the...
It’s Tuesday …
We had a productive weekend at home after a grueling Thursday and Friday at work. I was certainly ready for the weekend, and NEEDED the weekend!We have decided to repaint the kitchen and two walls...
Thank Goodness It Was Hump Day!
This week has been a blur. For many reasons, all of which are valid. It seems that at work, I don't even get a chance to catch my breath. I look up and it's 5:10PM!!! That's pretty much everyday!...
Another Monday!
Well, we made it through the weekend. Piper is feeling much better. She had a wonderful time at the doctor's office! She said that Dr. McDavitt looked into her ears and didn't see any butterflies...
This AMs Prayer
We always pray in the car on our way to school. This morning, after I said my prayer, Avery informed me that he only wanted to pray for one thing. No problem.Avery - "Dear God, thank you for this...
Cruddy Thursday
Piper has had the crud since Sunday. She's all snotty and has a cough that sounds like a grown man! Well, now I can feel it coming on too. I think it's just allergies, but I hate being sick.I've...
Funny Little Kiddos
Last night, they seemed to have a lot on their mind!Car conversation:Piper: "I think they are building another swimming pool right there."Avery: "I just don't know what they are doing in this...
Monday
Why am I always so tired on Monday? Could it be that we never stop to rest on the weekend? Could it be that God just automatically makes every mom of preschoolers overly tired on purpose? Is it for...
My Birthday
Today's my 34th birthday ... I really don't know where the time has gone. It certainly does fly by, and it's seeming to get faster each year :)Today, the first words I heard were a whisper of "Happy...
Britney
Seriously ... why do I get so worked up about these things? I'm so disappointed in her VMA performance. I'm so upset. At one point, I thought I might cry.I still have hope for her. I still think she...
Busy Times
Quite a bit has happened since I last posted. We bought a house (actually, we closed on a house that we built). It's been a whirlwind of activity.The kids had a good time on their "Tour de...
United 93
Avery and Piper are safe at Nonna and GDad's house. They'll be there for another 10 days before heading off to KY to stay with my parents. I'm so happy that they have the chance to visit this...