Earning her keep

Saturday we bought a new mop. It's become Zoe's new toy. Yesterday N mowed and edged the yard. Because we've had to let the sod grow, we've been uable to mow for a couple weeks. Needless to say, the grass was almost ankle deep.

Because of the size of the grass, we had quite a bit left on the driveway. N got the broom and started to sweep.

Zoe ran into the garage and grabbed the mop. She was going to help daddy. It was the most dear thing I've ever seen.

We love our grandparents

N and I were blessed with great relationships with our grandparents. We have fond memories of being at their houses and what we've learned from them.

We are equally blessed by our daughter's relationship with their grandparents. It is such a gift to be able to see your children loved by your parents and grandparents in a way that is equal to your love for your children.

We hope that today, you feel equally loved and appreciated.

Happy Grandparents Day - Grandma K, Grammie and Grandpa, Grandma L, GG, Grandma Great, Mommom and Poppop. We are tremendously blessed to have you in our life.

London 2012, here we come

It was a tough battle. The night opened up with a couple tourney in tennis. N's sister and brother-in-law came over for the finals in couples Wii. Bev and I were at a slight disadvantage, having children in our arms or grabbing our legs, but we didn't let that detour us from our hope for the gold.

It was a close game, until Bev hit me with her controller. Fortunately it was my left elbow, so I was still able to swing. The laughter and tears kept me from seeing the tennis ball.

Ever the competitors, the boys took advantage of our laughter and took home gold in couples tennis.

Later in the evening it was time for the individual rounds. N got his best game face on.


I countered with an equally fierce and forceful pose. It shook N to his core.

After two rounds of archery and two rounds of curling, I'm proud to say I took home the gold. I'm not going to lie. It wasn't all that tough. My practice in the off season has really paid off.

Fortunately, we are not bitter rivals. He's a good sport, especially since I made him serenade me with our National Anthem shortly before this.

Friday Five Faves - vol. 10

I love short work weeks. For some reason I'm more tired, but at least I'll be able to sleep in some tomorrow. That should make today a little easier to handle.


In honor of our new house, I thought I would make a top 5 all about the great things within. We're not counting people because, well, that's just plain obvious.


1) The new Wii. N's aunt bought us this little piece of video gaming brilliance. I had an original Nintendo long ago that I still have. I love me some Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt or Tetris. These days, with the Playstation and XBox, I have no earthly idea how to use the 512 buttons on the controller. Instead of shooting people during Halo, I keep turning my helmet light on and off. It's safe to say, I usually don't make it out alive. N has a "show no mercy" stance.


The Wii. That's a different story. You have to physically do the action you want the avatar (impressed with my gaming vocabulary?) to do. For the gaming challenged, you only have to hold at most two buttons. Thank you Nintendo! I worked on my archery and curling skills last night. I don't want to brag, but I took gold at the 2008 Wii Quarterfinals. We'll see how I do in the semi's tonight.



2) My scrapbooking supplies. I know this looks like a set of drawers, a Christmas present and a filing system, but don't be fooled. These are my scrapbooking supplies. They're in my house. I can access them anytime I want. I'm a little beyond excited at the crafty possibilities ahead.


3) My jumbo muffin pan. This is a beautiful, albeit fuzzy, picture of a chocolate chip muffin I made last night. Jumbo sized. Instead of making 12 muffins per pan, you only get 6. They are pure heaven. For some reason, the jumbo muffins taste WAY better than the regular sized ones. I'm eating one for breakfast.

Which is another reason I love the Wii. Works off the jumbo muffin addiction I have.

4) All my Friends DVDs. I realize it looks like Seasons 5 and 7 are missing, but don't worry. They're by the DVD player. I've already started watching my favorite episodes again. Like the good friends they are, they keep me in stitches.

I recommend Season 8, Disc One, "The One with the Videotape." It's also one of Marta Kauffman's favorite episodes. I've watched it with commentary!

5) Keeping the animal kingdom outside. You will remember Vol. 9 of the FFF where I told the heroic tale of N getting the frog out of the arm of the sofa. I went outside to water my herb garden only to see the frog hanging out on the front walk. Because he was outside and I was a safe distance from him (thank you Canon Powershot with zoom), so as not to be jumped on, I got a picture.

Many of you will laugh at my fear considering he's the size of a quarter, but I don't care. Animals are unpredictable. They cannot be trusted. No matter their size.

Happy Friday everyone. Hope you survived the first week of September and school.

So long sweet chips of cinnamon, you were a dear friend

I went to Starbucks this morning. I have a gift card and I'm not ashamed to use it. Especially since Zoe is teething and sleep has been elusive this week. Mamma needs a peppermint mocha to make it through the drive to work.

As I'm sitting in the drive-thru I notice the menu has changed. The Pumpkin Spice is back for fall, the Vivano drinks have been added and the breakfast menu has a healthy options section.

What? A healthy options section? Don't they know I don't adapt well to change. I quickly scanned the pastry section. Who needs healthy options?

Then I realized my biggest fear was now a reality.

It's gone. My cinnamon scone is no more. This was the last Starbucks in town to offer the delicious edible. I was fortunate it was the closest one to my home. It's my go-to breakfast on late and/or lazy mornings. Now it's gone. Forever.

I have the same sense of loss when I found out that Olive Garden no longer offered Chocolate Lasagna as a dessert option. Who wants gelato over chocolate cake smothered in yummy white frosting with actual chocolate chunks over the top? C'mon.

Now I can get an oat-and-nut bar instead of a scrumptious scone?

If I had known each of those things were going away, I would've stocked up.

Many of you are probably thinking, so what? Get the oatmeal or the Black Tie Mousse instead. It's not the same. I'm a very picky eater. It's hard for me to find things I like. When I do, they get ripped out from underneath me. Without warning. Without a proper good-bye.

Maybe God is trying to tell me to eat in more? Can that really be? You know what's next, the snack wraps from McDonald's.

This is how Mr. Clean parties in the off season

Last night Zoe and I were back to our routine. That means chores needed to be done. Zoe is more of an encourager than a helper at this point. Although last night she mumbled something about the shower.

I asked, "in the shower?"

She replied, "ewe."

Obviously bathroom duty was way overdue.

As I'm scrubbing I see her get the trash can (which we had emptied and hadn't put a new bag in yet). I hear her giggle.

I turn around and see this:

Mr. Clean has nothing on us.

The so many pictures, so little time Edition

Our weekend was a scrapbooker's dream. Lots of family, fellowship, friends and photo opportunities.

I'm proud to say that my ribs were a hit. Which is quite the compliment coming from Texans.

They were D's favorite too. If you couldn't tell.

E was more into the chicken. Probably because she doesn't have enough teeth to chow down on some ribs.

In a rare moment, all the kids and grandkids were in one place at the same time. This is Micah's first opportunity to meet the family outside the hospital. Although I'm sure all the flashes from the cameras felt a little like an anxiety attack.

We were so fortunate to spend time with Aunt Dee Dee (with grammy). This is the first time she's met Zoe. Last time we got to visit with her, Zoe was still incubating. We were glad she was able to make it. She's such a wonderful blessing, not to mention hilarious.

In another rare moment, Micah was awake and ready to party. His mom sure can bring out the smiles. We can't wait for the giggles and cooing next.

Once the BBQ festivities were complete, it was off to bed to rest-up for the next round of visitors. Phil, Anna and their daughters came over Monday morning for coffee and cinnamon rolls. Phil and Neil were BFF's in high school. Anna and I were BFF's then too. Now when we get together, it's like mini-reunion/great time. Not to mention their girls are around Zoe's age, so there is much laughter and playing.

They are in high demand when they come for a visit. We feel very fortunate to have any amount of their time to catch-up. We're hoping to do it again very soon, but next time we'll go to them.

After our mini-reunion, Grammie C (N's mom) took the girls school shopping, while Bev and I went shopping for the wee-ones. In addition to some very cute school clothes, the girls got to build their own bears. Danni made Jasmin and Erin made Miss Fairy. Zoe has Lamby, (we're not as creative on the names) who came pre-assembled.

These bears come with an adoption certificate, colored eyes (blue and purple, although not on the same bear), wings and shoes. Can we say high-maintenance?

Now it's back to school and work.