On the move

Doesn't he look like a mini-man with his golf shirt and khaki shorts on?  Not too mention playing with his balls...

And... now the boy is ON THE MOVE! Not quite mastery level yet, but dangerously close!

WAIT!  It's crawl first... Walk second!

What can I say?  He's very advanced!

It's not You. It's Me

Dear Tanya Tahoe,
Thank you for hauling me and my precious cargo all over creation for the last two years.
Thank you for holding your tongue through the many spilled Sonic teas, ground in Goldfish, and various sundry other snack foods that littered your lovely beige colored carpet.
Thank you for the kind warning when my front tire was gushing air as I flew down I35.
And, thank you for helping me bully my way through Austin, TX traffic.

I am sorry I did not wash you more.  And I am sorry about all the spilled teas and snacks.  But, such is the life of a mom's car. 

You're still beautiful albeit dirty.  And while I wouldn't call you "high maintenance" exactly, I just don't feel like this relationship is working anymore.  Seriously, it's not you. It's me.

I know I told you I was from the country and like driving trucks.  Turns out I only like to drive trucks occasionally.  I am more of a zip around town girl.  You're more of a guzzle some gas and take your time kinda gal.  Which is fine- we're just on different pages here.  Like I said, it's not you- it's me.

I doubt we'll ever see each other again and I am beginning to get the feeling that that suits you JUST FINE.
If it isn't too painful, look me up on FB.  Maybe we can still be friends- although, I feel like I should tell you that I've met someone.... her name is Penny Pathfinder.  Try not to take it too hard if you see her.  She's black, just like you.... with beige interior... just like you.

But, I swear: It's not you!  It's ME!

I wish you all the best with your new owner.  Maybe you'll get lucky and an ole bitty will buy you!
Love,
Renee

PS- Please remember our confidentiality agreement! Man, if those leather seats could talk!

Called out

I hate to break it to you but if you send me chain mail of any kind- I trash it.  I don't even give it a second thought... which is weird because:  I read my horoscope, play the same lottery numbers each time, pick up lucky pennies, have lucky sneakers, boots, jewelry, rub Buddha's belly... you get the general idea here.  Strangely, the threat of being destitute or having a four headed baby or a lifetime full of bad luck does not compel me to forward random junk mail.

This week I did get called out by my cousin over on Daily Rants & Ramblings.

The challenge was to share 5 meaningful pictures and then to gush over yourself in 5 sentences (or something like that).  There was also something about forwarding the challenge- but you know how I feel about that.

So, dear Branalyn, here goes:

#1:  My Family

Alan, Melvin, Heather, Dayce, Campbell, Dad, Mom, Sandy, Kay, Haylie, and Opal

These are the most important people in my life.  

They are the people that I have loved the longest.  And, the people that have loved me the longest. They have taught me how to love unconditionally and how to enjoy life.  

There is one person missing from this photo- well, technically he is in the picture you just can't see him.  He is more of a tadpole at this point!

#2 Diva and The Bean

These two kids already love each other so much it makes my heart ache. I never knew how much fun being a mom could be.  But it is!  I try to tell them as often as I can how much I enjoy being their Mom.  I know that all too soon I will be un-cool, old, and unreasonable in their eyes.  So I am relishing in every snuggle, kiss, hug, and bedtime story I can!

#3 San Antonio Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon 2008

I have found over the years that running is where I can find the stillness in my life.  I can make my mind be quiet and really think- almost a meditation of sorts.  This should serve as inspiration to get back out there and pound the pavement... Mostly, this picture is a nice reminder that if you take care of your body it will work hard for you.  Mine did:  13.1 miles in 2 hours 33 minutes.  Not too bad for a rookie run. My family and dear friends,the Dunns, came out to support me and cheer me on!

#4 Gone Country

My Dad and Melvin had to be absolutely busting at the seams when the Diva decided to be a "ranch girl!"  She has only been to the ranch a few times, but she talks about it a lot.  When it rains, she talks about the flowers needing the rain to grow... and the cows need grass at PawPaw's ranch, too!  Uncle Deuce (Melvin) trained her in Cow Feeding 101.  Thank goodness for camera phones to catch the moment digitally! 

We may live in the city, but we have country roots!

#5 I've got your back

When I got pregnant the second time, I sooo wanted Campbell to have a sister.  I knew that I had no choice in the matter and that the teenage years would be EXCRUCIATING with two teenage girls in the house. But, I also knew that as adults the amount of joy, love, and support they would bring each other.  The connection that Heather and I have.  The connection that Haylie and Dayce will have.  The connection that Mom and Sandy had.  

When we saw the penis I had to reevaluate things.  It was then that I realized Campbell already had someone in her life that she could get that very same joy, love, and support from:  Ainzley Opal.  This picture sums it up.  

Life is hard.  

You won't always get your way.

But, I love you.  And when you need me I'll be here- no matter what.

And, as a bonus Sandy took the picture.  And managed to get a dual fit documented for all time.

Five things I like about me:

I make pretty babies

I have nice handwriting

I make a MEAN chocolate chip cookie

My knack for talking to people. Seriously, I can strike up a conversation with a brick wall

My silly sense of humor- it is fun to be silly

Mission complete.

Peace out from Leander!

XO

Face time

I was thinking that I should probably start a scrapbook for Stratton.  Don' you think?  I mean what if this handy little blog crashes??!  Holy you-know-what! 

If this blog crashes I am screwed.  Because, in spite of the fact that I never even made it to the one-year mark of Campbell's scrapbook (I think I made it to about 6 months) Stratton will always say he got the "second born" shaft. 

He will say that I love Campbell more.  He will say that there are like a million pictures of Campbell and like two of him.  He will tell his therapist that HE never had his birth officially announced on nice card stock paper- matte finish, not glossy.  And then he'll go on to say that if I had bothered to announce his birth through the old fashioned snail mail that I would have probably done it on the cheap and gone with glossy paper.  Then he'll tell his little tramp of a girlfriend that his mother loved him soooo much that she announced his birth to the world on the world wide freaking web!  And on Facebook???!!!??! How embarrassing, MOTHER!!!

I have no idea what to do about this little conundrum... I am thinking of grounding him for making me feel so pre-guilty. 

In the meantime, I thought the little stinker deserved some face time and not on Facebook.. and without his sister crowding the shot.  Maybe his therapist will give me a couple of brownie points in 20 years.

 

Please ignore the pink baby doll he is playing with... that is another therapy session all together.

Is this a profile, or what?

 

  

Maybe he'll have Michael Jordan style "ups" to go with the MJ tongue action

 

Peace and love from Leander!

XOXO

Grita guest poster

This email was too great not to share...
A little background:  Dayce is my youngest sister.  I mean this in the most loving way possible:  she is the BIGGEST BAND NERD ON THE PLANET!  She loves band.  Period.  She recently made 1st Assistance Drum Major.  She plays piano and rocks the trombone.  Yes, trombone- not clarinet or flute or even trumpet.  Trom-freaking-bone.  She has passed up many family events, outings, etc. in order to do BAND related things.  I am not talking about a rock band.  Not even a country band.  I am talking about the high school MARCHING BAND.  Oh, but there is more.  She is in Jazz Band.  She is in a Percussion group.  She plays the piano constantly at home. Taps on and with anything she can get her hands on.  And when all else fails, she will whistle.  (Did i mention that I HATE whistling?)  I am telling you, she IS THE band nerd of the century.  What's more is she relishes in the title.  Weirdo.  Talented weirdo.

Keep that in mind as you read the email I got from my mom tonight:

" Well here is something..........lightening knocked the electricity out at the band concert.  Dark and did I mention that Dayce was playing the electric PIANO........so she only got to play 3 songs.............she is absolutely devastated.  WTF?  Who cares? oh yeah Dayce..........Conversation as followed.  .......
 
DD:It was the last concert of the year,  boooo hooooooooooo
ME: I  guess you dont want any supper.
DD: I am never eating again.
Me: quit acting like that we were there and heard you play the trombone which I like better......
DD:I  DONT.I like the piano best.   I am pissed.....boo hoo.......
ME: It is not like this is your last year last concert........
DD: I dont care. I probably wont even get to play on Sunday.
Me: YOu have another concert on Sunday?
DD: YES! I told you yesterday!
ME: Well sorry I did not remember....but we will be there whether lightening strikes again and knocks out the electric piano or not.  You know Lightening never strikes in the same place twice.
DD:Whatever!"

I love it!  Especially the boooo hoooo.  For some reason that just cracked me up.
Thanks for the laugh, Grita... er, I mean Dayce.  
XOXO

3 to 13

And all it took was a pair of scissors! 
We've been talking about it for a couple of weeks.  On Sunday night she announced that she was getting her hair cut "this week."  When I asked what day she said, "I'm not sure, but probably after swimming lessons."
"Hmph," I said, "Sounds like a good plan."  I quickly looked at our schedule and made an appointment for the first opening in the week. Thursday afternoon. This hair cut went MUCH better than the previous event I blogged about here.
Campbell had her first shampoo in the bowl- no drama.  She opted to sit in the Barbie Jeep (full of e-coli, bird, and swine flu, I am sure). The Diva even let Miss Whitney blow it dry with a round brush.
I had to choke back tears at least twice.  Seriously.  She is growing up so fast!

I did it all for the nook e.....reader

Well, no thanks to Limp Bizkit.  All the love goes to my Precious Pie and my sweet kids. And, I totally luh-huv my new Nook Ereader.  I have to admit that I completely stressed out over what my first download should be.  But I finally made some choices, brewed a cup of tea, and promptly stuck my nose in my Nook! Great gift, Pie- GREAT gift!

Mother's Day #3 for me. First one as a mother of two.  It is true that you just can't imagine what it means to be a mother until you are one.  Stratton was feeling a little puny this weekend.  So we cuddled for about two hours on Sunday.  Just sitting on the sofa snuggling a sick baby.  A joy only a mother (ok, maybe a Grita) could love. These two rotten kids (three counting Opal) have brought such happiness and smiles into my life.

It is also true that we all should have given our mothers a break.  Who needs a break more than moms?  Eeks- I am scared to death when I think about what could be, might be, probably, most definitely IS in store for me in about 9 years.  I wish I would have been a nicer teenager.  Maybe I should just buy a vineyard- cut out the middle man.  I see a lot of wine in my future.

Thanks for a fabulous Mother's Day!
Peace out from Campbell and Stratton's mom!
XOXO

You know who you are

I have some butter lovers in my life.  At which the mere thought of putting something as putrid as.... MARGARINE to thier lips would simply revolt them.  I happen to prefer margarine (there I said it).  Stop reading my blog if you must... but I like margarine.  And Cool Whip, too.  Dearly departed Aunt Sandy said (at every opportunity) that Cool Whip tasted like plastic.  I guess I like the taste of plastic.

Anyway, I picked up the current edition of TRIBEZA magazine and cracked up.  This is surely their dream date!