A Thousand Spendid Suns

I promise I am not turning into a book review blog, but after I finished reading The Help I read A Thousand Splendid Suns. I have to admit I was a little hesitant to read it. I don't like heavy reading. The description of this book sounded so heavy to me, but my girlfriend, Karen, insisted it wasn't too heavy.

What a GREAT read!!! My description won't do it justice, but I'm going to try. The story starts in the 1970s in Afghanistan and goes all the way through 9/11. Although fiction, it is so compelling that it just could be true. It follows the life of a young girl and her struggles with poverty, sexism, religion, oppression. See, I knew I wouldn't be doing it justice..

I've taken this summary from the author's own site...hope that's legal!!

A Thousand Splendid Suns is a breathtaking story set against the volatile
events of Afghanistan’s last thirty years—from the Soviet invasion to the
reign
of the Taliban to the post-Taliban rebuilding—that puts the violence,
fear,
hope, and faith of this country in intimate, human terms. It is a tale
of two
generations of characters brought jarringly together by the tragic
sweep of war,
where personal lives—the struggle to survive, raise a family,
find happiness—are
inextricable from the history playing out around them.

Propelled by the same storytelling instinct that made The Kite
Runner a beloved classic, A Thousand Splendid Suns is at once a remarkable
chronicle of three decades of Afghan history and a deeply moving account of
family and friendship. It is a striking, heart-wrenching novel of an
unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love—a
stunning accomplishment

Now, what are YOU reading? I head to the beach in a few weeks and need some new books! Well, what I really need is an IPAD to download the books on, but I will settle for the books!!

The Help

Today I was a monitor up at school for state testing. I was told to bring a book as my 3 hour time slot would be very boring. I decided this was a great opportunity for me to start this book I've heard so much about, "The Help", by Kathryn Stockett.

Oh my goodness. Run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and grab this book. It is so compelling I cannot put it down. I'm probably only 1/3 of the way through the book, but it is so thought provoking.

The story is set in the early '60s in the deep south Mississippi. This was a period in time when white women had black help, or a "Mamie". The story is told from the voice of the help and you realize, quickly, how awful the white women are. As I get to know each of the characters in the book, I wonder which white woman I would be most like. The answer, I know deep down, is not a pretty one.

Only 12 hours into this book and I have had 2 amazing conversations. The first was with the teacher in the classroom. She asked what I was reading and when I told her what the story was about she commented how far we have come, but how far we still have to go. She told me that in the early 80s her husband travelled for business to Mississippi. It was about 10:30 p.m. when he arrived at his hotel and it was pouring down rain. As he was getting out of his cab, a young black girl was finishing her shift at the hotel. Since it was pouring down rain she wanted to take a taxi. The taxi driver refused her, stating, "I don't drive colored people in my cab."

I had a more toned down version of this conversation with my kids when they asked what I was reading. One of my daughter's best friends in Sugar Land was a darling African American girl. She told me that one day at school a boy was being mean to her and told her, "you know, we white people used to rule over you!"

I could not be more stunned or more saddened that a comment like this would be made in the year 2010.

Thoughts???

Lunch With My Girls

I've asked every day this week to have lunch with the girls. Every day it's a no. I'm dying to be a fly on the wall in their new school, so I "surprised" them! I figured if I came with fast food it was ease the embarrassment!

There's a special table for parents and the kids can invite 2 friends to join them at this special table. Here is EG and her friends:

Here is Abby with her friends:

I didn't dare press my luck by taking a picture of Hannah!

For Your Information

Alot of you have asked what's going on with our move, so...

FYI- We closed on our house in Sugar Land today! Thank you Jesus!

FYI- We never sold our house in Tulsa. It wasn't planned that way. It just didn't sell. We ended up renting it out and the renters will be out at the end of May. (I guess God had a plan!)

FYI- We are in a corporate apartment until we can get back into our house.

FYI- My girls started back at their old school yesterday and have had 2 GREAT days!

FYI- Big D had to make the drive from Houston TWICE (once with me Saturday and again today). Love that man!

Anything else you need the 411 on?

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!

Sweet Sick Sugar- Updated 2/26

My precious little Shiz Tzu, Sugar, was in the backyard yesterday when Abby found her chewing on something. She took it away from her and thought that was the end of it. About an hour and a half later Sugar started vomiting. And I do mean vomiting. Probably 15 times this poor little puppy got sick. It wasn't until Abby told me that she found her chewing on a "nut" that I panicked.

I remember seeing the warning signs hanging in our vet's office. Saga Palm Trees are poisonous and if any part of the bark, leaf or seed is chewed on they can be fatal to your pet. I googled it just to be sure and was horrified at all the stories I found about pets eating the seed, vomiting and then dying. I immediately called the vet and he said to bring her in right away.

Sugar had to stay the night at the vet last night. They induced more vomiting in hopes of preventing any of the poison from leaving the stomach. If the poison makes it's way to her liver, quite simply, she will die.

I really tried to keep it together for the girls last night, but Big D was out of town and I was all alone in my bed. No Sugar to cuddle with. Abby was devastated and understood the seriousness of it all. She was even more upset that her sisters didn't get it.

I was able to bring Sugar home this morning. They won't know anything until tomorrow when they test her liver levels. Evidently, it takes approximately 48 hours for the poison to make it's way to the liver and then to cause the liver to fail. Hopefully we will have good tests results tomorrow. My heart and my wallet can't handle anything different!!

Just got back from the vet with Sugar. Her liver levels were high. Normal is 0 to 120 and Sugar's levels were at 250. However, this is not at fatal levels. She will have to be on liver medicine for at least the next 30 days, but she should make a full recovery. The vet said bringing her right in the other night saved her life! Oh, how I love this dog!!

Honor Choir

Tonight I was a proud Mom! Hannah performed in the FBISD Honor Choir at Clements High School. In early December she came home and told me that she wanted to try out for this choir. She would have to sing A Capella in front of the whole 5th grade and also sing in a round with the music teacher. The music teacher would then choose the 5 best singers. Hannah was chosen! She was so thrilled!! I am so proud of her for even trying.

Each elementary school in the district chose 5 singers and they all came together for a concert tonight. Unfortunately, Big D had to miss it because EG has had a stomach bug today! Yuck!

Here is Hannah's group from her school with her music teacher:

Here is the whole choir performing:

Here is the cool t-shirt she received with her name on the back:

Next stop: American Idol!

Xanadu

Our roller skating adventures continued today when we hit the roller rink for President's Day! My kids have been looking forward to this for a couple of weeks, and, I have to admit it, I was kinda looking forward to it myself.

I was flooded with memories the moment we stepped inside the rink. I mean, seriously, they have the same carpet and decorations that they had way back when (come to think of it...it probably is the SAME carpet). All of us had to rent skates except for Tootie, I mean Ellie Grace. She brought her own cool light up skates. That girl skated so hard and so long that she eventually lost her stopper. It just fell off!

Abby had a little more difficult time. That girl probably fell down no less than 50 times. I probably need to give her Tylenol at bedtime tonight.

Hannah brought her friend Grace with her and they seemed to have a great time. Hannah ended up trading her skates in for roller blades.

All three of my kids were literally taken aback when they realized I could skate. Hannah kept saying, "you're good!" Why are my kids always so surprised when I can do something?? I know I am their Mom, but I did have a life way back when.

The day was complete with races, but no Hokey Pokey. I was looking forward to that! If only Big D had gone with us. I could have finally gotten that couple's skate that I never got as a child.

What I Was Doing While You Were Watching the Super Bowl...

While most of you were at parties, eating chips & dip, watching expensive commercials and cheering on your favorite team, I was with my 2 older girls at The Secret Keeper Girl Live Tour.

What's The Secret Keeper Girl, you ask? The Secret Keepers are a series of Christian fictional novels geared towards girls 8 thru 12. We watched a fashion show on how girls can be fashionable, yet modest. We talked about boys (giggle giggle), we sang songs (even YMCA) and had a great time together as Mom and daughters.

They each came away with age appropriate devotional books and a reminder that as daughter's of the King, we are Princesses!! What a fun night! I wouldn't change it for the world!