A bad Target trip, a date, and Hoosiers

I'd like to apologize to anyone who encountered us in Target today... My girls were determined to make that the worst Target trip ever for me. The little one fussed and pouted because her sister wouldn't let her get the same swim suit she was getting. I might have had a 'discussion' with them that could have been overheard by others. Again, sorry if we took away from your Target shopping experience today. We won't be going to a store as a group again for awhile.

I've been encouraging Mike to spend more one on one time with Katie, our oldest. He asked her to go on a date with him tonight. HE suggested that they go to dinner and walk around the mall so you can imagine that she was quite happy to go! She came home with a couple of new things, they went to the pet store and held puppies, and enjoyed some good father - daughter shopping. They did not provide me with pictures except for a puppy they wanted to bring home...

So, that left me on a date with the fussing, pouting sister... she was a new kid when it came down to staying home or getting a new attitude!

We went to dinner at her favorite place, Pei Wei, then checked the other Target for a different swim suit for her and did some other running around. She is such a sweet girl (when she isn't pouting). We had a good time.

A new cute jacket from the clearance rack at Old Navy...

We're all back home and having family movie night, Mike choose so we are watching "Hoosiers"

Speaking of trouble with kids... A blog I read led me to the Fishful Thinking web site. I was interested in it because the whole idea behind it is 'Optimism and positive thinking' in our kids. I was interested in their information because the 'pouty' girl tends to be a little pessimistic and I would love to be able to keep that from being a lifelong issue. They are still looking for mom ambassadors to be part of their influencing network. Let me know if you want info on signing up.



edited to note that the one who really wanted to watch the movie with Dad didn't make it half way through...

I am glad I was there

Last night I had to pick Mike up at the airport - his flight was delayed in Houston because of weather...I was not terribly excited about waiting up and having to go get at 11:45 on a school night...
but after I sat in the car waiting and waiting and waiting I realized I was glad I was there. I got to see a very sweet thing...
There was a soldier on the plane with Mike that came out first and waiting behind our car was a young woman meeting him. They hugged and hugged- she would cradle his face in her hands for a few seconds like she was drinking him in and then hug him all over again. They just could not let go of each other. I don't know where he had been or how long they had been apart but that was the sweetest reunion! I was privileged to see it out of my car window!
It made me feel bad that I didn't want to pick Mike up and wished he would take a taxi....

Today I spent a couple of hours with a kid who has a very different family life than we do. My heart just hurt for her family. I am always reminded that our family is so blessed...
I mention this only because we are having some family stress again because of Mike's job. Also, my sister's job is an uncertain now. I feel the weight of this -but then listen to a story like that sweet child's and realize how truly blessed we are. How no matter what stress we are facing, at least we are doing it with the support of each other and God. He has used some unusual things to remind me of that the last couple of days and I have appreciated them.

(if only I could convince the 12 year old that 7th grade girl issues are not the end of the world)

Oh, and way off subject... what will happen now that 12 year old Ben is dead in the past on Lost....I'm so confused and I still hate time travel.

a little crafty project

This has been on my to do list for a few weeks... this afternoon when all was quiet at home I decided to steal a little crafty time...

Now the question is do I take it to my office like I had planned...I only hung it up for the picture but now I like it....what to do....

Happy Birthday Jennifer

My sweet niece Jennifer had a birthday on the 20th. Since she lived with us for a couple of years she is like another sister to me and my kids. We miss her now that we aren't seeing her everyday. We never get to spend her birthday with her because she goes on a mission trip each year during that week. We appreciate her doing these mission trips but we really would like to have her with us. We tried to celebrate last month when she was here. Mike couldn't wait and had to give her an early gift he had gotten her... but, it was just not the same...
Here are some of our favorite things about Jennifer:
1. she is funny
2. she is a 'normal' family member
3. she has a heart for the Lord
4. she is one of the most giving people I know
5. she would fix any problem for you if she has the chance
6. she makes a great assistant - I really miss that!
7. she loves my kids
8. she is handy
9. she is beautiful
10. she will go on vacations with us and still likes us after
11. she is crafty
12. she is quirky
13. we have a lot of the same interests
14. she taught me how to blog
15. she embraces her southern roots
16. she is like a sister to Mike
17. she puts up with our dogs
18. daisy
19. she'll do or try anything
20. she can shop for me
21. she loves old family photos
22. she is a great gift giver
23. she serves in any way needed at church
24. she comes to visit often
25. we can communicate with just a look when needed

Kellie added:
21. she acts like a kid
22. she is nice
23. she takes me places
24. she is fun to hang around with
25. she can help with my homework because she always teaches the same grade as me

Katie added:
26. she's like an older sister
27. she takes us to do fun things
28. she likes movies and books and things I like
29. she is easy to talk to
30. she is pretty

back to me-
31. She is so loyal to her job, friends and church she won't move near me
32. She is Jennifer
We love you - Happy Birthday!

It went so fast!

We spent time hanging out together... We relaxed on the boat...
while dad looked for fish....

The girls swam in the freezing cold pool... or should I say, jumped into the freezing cold pool then swam in the hot tub...

We slept kids all over the place... and they all seemed to sleep with their ipod's in their ears...

We savored every minute of a week away with no responsibility. We enjoyed friends and family visiting. We played games, read, and enjoyed each other. Big Girl survived the week with no computer, so no My Space and she actually didn't use her cell phone much. We only had a few boat issues... it was good.

Now to get all the laundry done and ready for the week....I wish we had a few more days off to just hang out at home... but, a few more weeks and we'll be out for summer... Time, where does it go???

Spring is coming....

I know Spring is coming soon... You know how I know this? Just look-

My kids are cleaning...they helped clean the boat to get it ready to go to the lake for Spring Break

a kid with scrub brushes is an unusual sight at our house!
OPI Cajun Shrimp - time for open toe shoes

Starting to get out the Easter decor... (edited to say I mean Spring decor Wendy....)

We spent the weekend getting boat things done, getting stuff ready to leave Fri. for the resort at Lake Texoma. We are excited about getting out of town. I feel sure it will get cold and rainy at the lake because that's how it usually turns out for us... but being off for one week, being in a different place where there is no laundry or other things I should be doing - where there will be books, movies, games and resting...it will be good. I need a couple of new books to take... I bought a couple of new family games and the girls picked out a new movie to take...

If only we could take the dogs...

Cooking with the girls

Today I had promised the little one she could make something by herself out of a cookbook she bought at the book fair... Before we started that though, I was reading some blogs and on Mish Mash I saw this recipe that I love and never think (or need) to make, so I called the Katie into the kitchen and made her make them.

She doesn't show a lot of interest in cooking and I really am trying to get her interested enough to at least learn how to follow a recipe. Of course, I almost lost hope when she asked what 'cocoa' was and 'where is the tablespoon line' while looking at a measuring cup. How? How could I have a child who doesn't know what a tablespoon is ????

No Bake Cookies

2 Cup Sugar

1 stick margarine

1/2 cup milk

3 tbsp cocoa powder

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups quick cooking oats

Melt margarine in sauce pan, add sugar, milk and cocoa. Bring to a boil and boil 2 min. Add peanut butter, oats and vanilla. Stir and drop by spoonful on to wax paper. Sit till cool.

After the cookies Kellie took over in the kitchen. She has planned Baked Ziti, salad and Flan for dinner tonight.

The Baked Ziti is a 30 min. Rachel Ray meal from her kids cookbook. It was easy and really took only about 30 minutes. I think she could have done every bit of it alone if at one point there was not three different things cooking. When one thing was boiling she couldn't watch the two other things so I offered just a little bit of help there. It all looks good. I'm excited about dinner and more excited that she is loving to cook.
Guess who was waiting on something to be dropped....

This weekend I've also worked on some pictures I wanted to alter for my office...