Today

Our Bargain Dog

When we bought Sugar, Abby heard me telling someone what a bargain she was. (And she was. She was only $150 and normally Shih Tzus are about $300).

She checked a book out at the library all about dogs.

Abby- "What kind of breed is Sugar?"

Me- "A Shih Tzu."

Abby- "Oh man! I told Miss Stokes she was a bargain!"

Doesn't Slumber Mean Sleep?

We are on the final countdown of our time in Sugar Land. We have exactly one week left. Things are starting to happen. Pictures are off the wall, drapes are down and folded and it's starting to look bare.

Tonight I let the girls each pick one friend to have sleepover for the last time. Aren't they all so cute???

We had pizza and ice cream sundaes and I even bought The Princess and The Frog in hopes that will keep them quiet. Do you think we will get any sleep tonight? We are totally outnumbered!!!

The Ball Busters

These are 3 of my precious tennis friends. Besides being on a team together last summer and fall, we would get together just to play on our own. After awhile, we started fondly referring to ourselves as "The Ball Busters". Now, I'm not really sure how to explain that name, except to tell you that we (mostly I) am immature. It all started when we would get together and someone would ask if we had fresh balls, and simultaneously we would all start to giggle. I know, real grown-up! But, oh, so fun!

Today was the last official meeting of The Ball Busters, although I suggest a meeting in Vegas for some tennis and a little fun! These sweet girls surprised me with this darling Brighton charm bracelet of Texas!! I LOVE it! I had never even seen it. I called my sister, the Brighton rep, afterwards and told her I had never seen it and she said, "that's because they are only sold in Texas." It's a rare find!!! Girls, I love you and I love it!

Won't You Meet My Neighbors?

These are my neighbors. Pam, on my left, lives across the street from me. She knocked on my door while the moving truck was unloading and has truly been a gift from God. I've never been neighbors with someone where you could just walk in their front door like they do on t.v., until now. Sometimes, we'll just walk inside each other's house and say, "I need a glass of wine!" That's the best kind of neighbor EVER!

And, we've been good for her too. She has a precious little 6 year old boy that desperately needed some play mates on his street. Our street has mostly older or grown kids so he needed us! Pam and I agreed that we would be praying for some more little play mates to buy our house.

The neighbor on my right is Fara. She has kids that overlap with my kids at school. Fara also happens to be a realtor. And, God is just so clever that He used Fara to bring the buyers to my house. And guess what? Pam is getting a little boy for her little boy to play with!!! Isn't that a great story???

Ok, and side note. I tried and tried and tried to use Adobe Photoshop to zoom in on this picture. But, even after clicking save it went back to it's original form. Any tips for a novice photoshopper???

Join me in Prayer

I feel like I have been bombarded with new of cancer lately. Cancer at work, cancer at church and cancer in the blogosphere. Won't you please join me in praying for these two blogging friends who are fighting the fight? Lisa and Allyson. Please click on their names to see their stories and thank you for praying!

Spring Break 2010

On to the fun events of spring break. We piled 8 guests into my house. There was so much estrogen that Big D hit the road! First stop...the Kemah Boardwalk

There was lots of shopping at The Galleria, but no pictures to show. So, I'll just put this one in cuz I think it's pretty cute:

Dinner with my Aunt Raini and my cousins.

Our last day we went to the Museum of Natural Science in Sugar Land. Again, no pictures. I'm a bad bad blogger! Here's another picture for your viewing pleasure! Who are those cute young things???

I am really going to miss having a big city at my finger tips. There's always so much to do.

A Hero's Homecoming

We have had a fun, eventful spring break, but before I tell you about all those things that now seem trivial, I want to tell you what we did yesterday.

I saw this post on facebook. A fallen soldier from Sugar Land was coming home. Not the way his family intended, but nonetheless, coming home. The city asked Sugar Landers to line the streets next to the small airport by waving flags. My Mom and sister and I thought this sounded like something we wanted to be a part of so we jumped at the chance.

What a wonderful learning experience for my kids. It was a chance to talk about showing respect and showing gratitude. It was a chance to talk to them about the sacrifices our troops make so that we can live a free life and worship God.

I was more overwhelmed than I expected to be. I fought back tears as the hearse made it's way by. The two limos that followed no doubt carried his parents and family members. I just couldn't help but think what his mom must be thinking. So sad at the loss of her son, so proud of his service, and such gratitude that so many people would take the time to pay tribute.

The streets were lined as far as I could see. Hundreds of harleys with retired vets rode in the motorcade. It was a powerful moment that I will never forget. I'm so grateful for all those who serve our country!

Yee-Haw

Last year when the rodeo was here we just did the expo building stuff. I thought that would be plenty for the kids, but EG felt cheated. She wanted to "see some real cowboys"! She talked about it All. Year. Long. Why didn't her parents take her to the "real rodeo"?

This year we did the rodeo up big. I pulled the girls out of school a bit early and Big D. took off from work. We even had cute rodeo shirts:

We ate turkey legs:

We rode rides:

And.....(drumroll please) we saw the "real rodeo".

My kids favorite events were the Calf Scramble and Mutton Bustin'. Although, Barrel Racing came in a close 3rd (mainly because it had "girl cowboys")

My favorite quote of the night was hands down this: me to EG, "Maybe when you grow up you will marry a cowboy and live on a ranch and Daddy and I can come visit you." to which EG responds, "Ugh. Who would want to live in West Texas?" Now how did she know there was a lot of ranch land there and even more importantly, how did she know it wasn't that desirable a location??? Too funny!!!

Right Now

I am looking forward to the Houston Rodeo and Tim McGraw

I am looking forward to my Mom, sisters and their kids coming to visit for spring break:

I am excited about my new shoes and new white jeans:

I am reading:

And I am tired of keeping my house clean and making my bed.

The Boy Next Door

Tonight after dinner we took a trip to the bookstore. The girls wanted to spend their allowance on books, which was fine by me. Hannah was looking for a certain "tween" series. When she found what she was looking for, the book she picked was "The Boy Next Door"! (don't worry, it was age appropriate!)

When did my little girl start reading books about boys? I feel like she was just in diapers and pigtails. But, now, she cares about how her hair looks for school, wants to wear certain brands of clothing, and doesn't want me to kiss her goodbye at school.

Get me off this crazy thing!!!

I Want to Win!

One blog I enjoy reading is The Reluctant Entertainer. This week, Sandy is giving away a beautiful piece of artwork that I really want to win. I get an extra entry for blogging about it, so go over there and check out her site. She has lots of great ideas!