I'm All Kinda Sappy 'Round Here

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Snot Parade

Okay. So. #2 Kiddo graduated from Kindergarten today - see photos:

Ms. Black. She loves Eli. He loves her.

Daddy. Wouldn't miss Kinder Graduation for the world.

Mommy. aka "Snot Fairy"

Okay...I'll set the scene. Not only did Eli pick out the "eat my dust" t-shirt to wear on his last day...but things were just tough all around.

Mrs. Wymore (the principal) was crying. She couldn't hardly make it through the graduation. She's so darn sweet.

Ms. Black was crying. You see, this was her first class. She's sad to see them go.

I was crying - because...well because I'm the snot fairy, is why.

So, they do this thing where they say (outloud so the kids can hear) you are welcome to take your children home for the day. They did this when Fisher graduated from Kinder and I thought by now they surely would have learned their lessons. NOPE. Eli said, "Mommy, I'm going with you, right?" I said "No Baby, I have to go to work. Plus, you'll miss splash day at Extend-A-Care if you go with me." Snot, tears, lumps in the throat. Boy. Howdy.

Finally Ms. Black stepped in and said she really needed to spend one more day with him because she would miss him so much and that he was such a great and wonderful helper that she sure could use his help today. Then her tears started flowing again....then...then...well Eli grabbed on to me and hugged me with ALL of his might and said (loud enough for all to hear) "I sure don't like this day Mommy!!" :(

Well you know what Big Guy? I sure don't like it either. I sure think you are blazing through life and I just think you should try to slow down just a teeny bit. :) I am very proud of you today for all that you have accomplished. I am so proud that you got a medal for Excellent Attendance!! I am so proud that you are on task or above in EVERY subject...EVEN math!! I am so proud that you will be going to first grade next year but most of all, I am so proud that you are my son. You make the light shine bright in my life EVERY single day.

Also wanted to give a quick congratulations to Adyson H., Cami I., Kaitlyn T. and Reed R. for also making it through this first year of school. Happy Graduation - I am so very proud of you guys too and your parents - you are all pretty amazing!!!

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Fishing with Daddy

Fishing. One of Mac's all-time favorites...hence the name of our firstborn. I am so glad and feel so fortunate that all the boys have joined him in the love of his favorite hobby. They love to go fishing with Daddy. Not very often does mommy get to go...she talks too much and doesn't like to get dirty and bug bitten....but I got to capture this moment on film and I'm so glad I did. They love it. They love getting dirty, holding fish, reeling them in, hanging out and just being boys. Simple pleasures. Simple times. Simple love.

Houston, We've Got Bloom....and Lizards?

Our little Magnolia tree has it's very first blossom!!! I of COURSE caught it too late and now it's got some brown edges, but thought I'd share anyway, since I am SO proud!!!

**Also**

Mac caught a lizard!! Yes, we set him free...but you can IMAGINE the excitement in my nasty boy house! I was glad to see the cute little thing free. Eli wanted to keep it as a pet. Mommy did not.

My Talented Brother

Well, I hate to brag, but my house is quickly filling up with the beauty my brother creates with his own two hands and I just HAVE to show it off.

He and his wife are amazing. They create these pieces of art that are just incredible. Here are just a FEW things....


A teeny Candle holder out of several different colors of strips of glass...




This really really beautiful bowl made out of red and blue glass - it has four quadrants...can you see how beautiful?



A very sweet little vase made of orange glass for Mother's Day...



A GORGEOUS platter that I just can't seem to do justice by taking a picture...



And my favorite...the trophy shelf he made for Fisher. It's made of polished steel and had this cool red fiber glass that when you turn on it lights up in red. AMAZING.



How lucky am I that he's my brother?

SOON their website for their business will be up and running. You'll be able to see all the gorgeous art they create. I have their website listed on my sidebar...stay tuned.

Eli's Dance

There's this dance that Eli does that is SO cute. I couldn't get him to quit being silly enough to do it "for real" for me yesterday, this is the best he would do. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to catch him in the act when he's really doing the dance!!

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We spent the day at Joan and Doug's new dream home in the Hill Country. It's not beautiful or anything, is it????

Did you see the stairway? That's the stairway to the third floor...the observatory. The next picture...well that's their VIEW from the observatory. HOLY HILL COUNTRY Batman...jealous, aren't you?? Because I know I am!!!

Redneck Limits

Mac was on the way to the grocery store and Sullivan yelled from the other room "Daddy, can I go?" Mac said, "Sure buddy...just get your shoes on." Sullivan came running down the stairs, Mac came walking around the corner and this is what we all saw at the same time:



Mac closed his eyes, shook his said and said..."Son, I may be a Redneck, but I'm a Redneck that knows his limits. Now go and change and you can go with me."

:)

I think he looked pretty darn cute myself!

This Movie is a MUST See....

And I'm not even kidding. Sonia and I were clapping, crying, laughing, slinging snot, singing, and just plain dancing in our seats.

If you see no other movie this year...PLEASE see this movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3uOOhm8Fj8

It's called "Young at Heart" - watch the trailer above.

It's got heart and love and it's so uplifting. It will bring a smile to your face and a million tears to your eyes.

It turned my thoughts to a song that Rach brought to my attention called "Anyway"... Dream it anyway, Believe it Anyway, Live it Anyway, Love Them Anyway, Build it Anyway, Sing it Anyway, Pray Anyway, DO IT ANYWAY!!!

You will absolutely 100% love this movie. If not...well, I WOULD say that I would give you your money back, but let's face it, I'm broke and we all know that aint gonna happen. I just make this promise to you that you will love it...and you may have a whole new face makeover when you leave the place!!! :)

DO IT ANYWAY.

Too Bad

My toes are skinny.

My toes are cute.

Too bad it's not THEM,

in a bathing suit!!!

Mandy's Crew

Cody

Caring. Calm. Compassionate.

Calee

Cute. Competitive. Courteous.

Adyson

Affectionate. Astute. Awesome.

Austin

Adventurous. Adorable. Amazing.

100th Post!!!

So, in bloggerland I have noticed the urge to do 100 of somethings for your 100th post. Well, here it goes Y'all....

100 Things You Might Not Know About Me:

1.) I am 36 years old

2.) I never went to school outside of Austin

3.) I have one brother, 4 sisters-in-law and 2 brothers-in-law

4.) I love coffee - morning, noon and night

5.) I am NOT a morning person

6.) I have only lived with my family, Shauna and Mac...never by
myself

7.) I love to play video games

8.) I hate to have my picture taken, but love to take them of
others

9.) My favorite color is RED

10.) I have a handful of friends that I have known for 30 years and continue to be very close to

11.) I have three boys and love them very much

12.) I also wish I had a girl (a 4th baby)

13.) I love to hand-write things

14.) I love to cook

15.) I hate to clean

16.) My middle name is Marie

17.) I am scared of the dark

18.) I love to kiss the top of the boys' heads, just so I can smell their hair

19.) My favorite sport is soccer

20.) I LOVE to scrapbook

21.) I love my job

22.) My first time to fly was at the age of 21

23.) I hate to take naps, unless I'm at Mom's house

24.) I love to play games with friends

25.) I am claustrophobic

26.) I miss my dad

27.) I am the only one in my family with green eyes - everyone else has blue (mom, dad and brother)

28.) I could go to the movie theater every day and not get tired of it

29.) I secretly dreamed of being a movie star

30.) I can't sing but LOVE to do it anyway

31.) I am the "class clown" but get nervous when I HAVE to speak in front of anyone

33.) I have been a bridesmaid seven times...4 of those people are still married

34.) I would rather not watch live TV so I can skip the commercials

35.) My hair is naturally curly and I hate it

36.) My toes are skinny

37.) I hate hot weather

38.) I have 4 nieces and 5 Nephews but if Mac divorced me, I'd have none

39.) Mac and I have lived in the same house for 7 years. Before that...we moved 12 times in 8 years

40.) I am part German, part Indian, part Scottish

41.) I have one living grandparent - she lives in Giddings

42.) I was 28 when I had my first son, I was 32 when I had my last

43.) I am part of a Bunco group that has been together almost 8 years

44.) I have never seen Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

45.) I LOVE Harry Potter - books and movies

46.) I was in Court Reporting school for 2 1/2 years

47.) I believe in Ghosts

48.) My name is not short for Christina

49.) I met Mac when I was 21

50.) I asked HIM out

51.) All of my boys were born 10 days early

52.) I love to listen to music while driving in the country with my windows rolled down

53.) I wish I was smarter

54.) I am only 5'1"

55.) I HATE walking into a room full of people by myself

56.) If I could meet anyone it would be Ben Affleck, then Jack Black

57.) My mom and dad both graduated high school in Austin

58.) I have an undiagnosed anxiety thing

59.) I like the taste of Cherry NyQuil

60.) I get sick to my stomach every time I smell "Wint-o-Green"

61.) Therefore, I throw up when I take Pepto Bismol

62.) I love David Letterman, Hate Jay Leno

63.) I fear my boys will be drafted to the Iraq war when they are older

64.) I hate lemons - taste and smell

65.) I have seen at least one movie EVERY week since this year started

66.) I don't wear contacts or glasses...yet

67.) For the record, I can't stand George W.

68.) I already want another new camera

69.) I wanted to be a photographer when I grew up

70.) I may never grow up

71.) I recently cut 15 inches off my hair

72.) I donated it to Locks of Love

73.) Apparently I like to toot my own horn

74.) I hate when Mac is out of town

75.) I don't like cauliflower

76.) I hated peanut butter growing up, I LOVE it now

77.) I need a new couch

78.) I haven't had a new one in over 10 years

79.) I love to be surrounded by pregnant friends

80.) I am currently not surrounded by any pregnant friends

81.) I don't like to wear necklaces

82.) I envy those that can

83.) I still own a VCR and a cassette tape player

84.) I used to want a tattoo - a daisy anklet

85.) I'm SO glad I didn't get one - fat chicks don't look good with tattoos

86.) I love to read books

87.) I finally can read books after 8 years of having babies. I can actually stay up past 9 now

88.) I started my blog because my friend Debi suggested it

89.) I have an old lady crush on Justin Timberlake

90.) Apparently it's taken me 24 years to realize I weep more when I ovulate than when I'm pre-menstrual. :)

91.) First time I saw REAL snow was when I was 24. I got engaged that same trip

92.) My heart STILL skips a beat when I see Mac at the end of the day. Is that weird?

93.) I prefer blue ink over black.

94.) I was in the hospital my Junior year in High School

95.) I have 51 framed pictures in my house

96.) I had to be on fertility drugs with my first two babies, the third I was on the pill and missed a couple of days

97.) I broke my toe when I was 7 months pregnant with Eli

98.) I fell out of Missy's Monterro when I did it.

99.) I'm glad I did this list

100.) I learned a lot about myself!!!

Happy MUDDERS Day!!

Spent the day with some pretty wonderful Mothers. Here's to all the lovely mothers I know and adore...there are so many of you. I wish I could see you all on this special day with your beautiful children...but for now, I will show you which mothers I did get to spend some great time with!!

And last but not least...there are my little doll babies...

What a wonderful day and I couldn't have picked a better way to spend it.

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