SIDELINED

Simplicity

2009-01-09T12:20:00.000-08:00

So this is finally a fresh new year......however, reflecting on 2008 it truly was in the top three years of my life! Marrying Tony was by far the best thing I have ever done next to the painfully births of my three beautiful sons! The wedding however was much more fun than labor......sorry boys!

My NEW YEAR'S resolution.........summed up in one word "SIMPLIFY". I want to simply simplify our world, our mornings, our nights, our weekends, our house, our closets, our moments.......I want us to be able to hear God when he is speaking to us instead of being so chaotic and we might miss what he is trying to tell us! Simplify......simple, simplicity.......it's gonna take work, but I am ready for this rewarding challenge!

Cheers to 2009!

HEART

2008-07-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

For several years now, my oldest "baby" has expressed a desire to play football. (a mother's nightmare) I ask myself, why not golf, what about swimming.....something where your bones will stay in tact. I then realize that I, myself, was persuaded by an individual not to pursue my true desire as a career and now, well, now I work on computers. Not a bad job, just nothing that I have true passion for.

So, I decided, God gave each person our talents, our gifts of God. Who am I to determine what gifts God gave him. Peyton started his first year of football this past Saturday, and is at a week long football camp at night, and NOTHING makes me happier than watching him play. You see, he's always played soccer, he was always good but not great. I never saw his heart go into to it. Being a very competitive athlete myself, I always wanted to see that love for sports in my son.
Football is in my son's HEART!!! He busts his butt everyday, doing drills he never has done before and giving every bit of 100%. I get chills seeing my son's passion, his love pouring out, his devoted respectfulness to his team and coaches. I just have one question, did we have to be the COWBOYS?!

Peyton, you are graduating from my "baby" into an incredible young man. May your spirit stay alive and full and may it spread to others around you.

EXPOSING MYSELF::1

2008-07-02T12:45:00.001-07:00

Cleaning house......how can I sum this matter up. As I told Tony in the first week of knowing him, I sat him down to explain something, something embarrassing but I had to tell him. My exact words, "I hate to clean, I don't like it, I'm not happy when I do it and I'm not going to smile while I do it." And that ladies and gentlemen, sums up my thoughts on, well cleaning!
Having a disclaimer with Tony at the beginning of our relationship was the BEST thing I ever did. When the house gets messy and he looks at me " I told you from week one." When I am not smiling as I do it "I told you from week one". Needless to say, I am getting better.

Jade at http://chikaustin.com/2008/06/23/exposing-myself/ has challenged us to Expose Ourselves. Tony is loving Jade.

I am starting with baby steps. This is not an easy process for me. I am ashamed of it, I think,but this is who I am. Guys, I have prayed hard about this topic. I started with the Laundry room....my catch all room. It has mail, tools, shoes, pillows, belts you name it, it catches it. Ladies and gentleman, the room that once was cluttered has been transformed....you know how you should hear hollowness in a laundry room, I got that back. It is wonderful.

Now, that it's cleaned, I realized one wall still needs to be painted and
the doors need to painted too, oh and Tony needs to fix the shelves on the
wall.....but cleanness....ahhhh organization.......I hate the process, but I
love the feel!

I might end up exposing myself too much, but what great 'cleaning therapy'.

Happily Ever

2008-07-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

Well my long lost friends, as many of you know I got married on APRIL 5th to the most amazing man in the world and we are officially a family of 6; thus the reason for my abscence in the world of blogging! It is so wonderful to share my life with someone who values my thoughts, wipes my tears, shares my laughter, feels my heartaches and loves the Lord as I do. I know, we are newly married, but I feel a commitment like no other and know we will wade through each storm together and not against one another!

I feel new, refreshed and energized to begin this blogging journey once again! LIFE IS GOOD, LIFE IS GREAT!!! I look forward to sharing our lives as a family....future wedding recaps and honeymoon stories to follow!!!

Jaw Dropper

2008-02-07T12:15:00.001-08:00

I have ultimately decided that the wedding industry LOVES to suck our money. Last night, my mother and I went to my first fitting for my wedding dress. A very fun and nice evening. My mother saw my dress for the first time and I was VERY nervous about her reaction, well she loved it. We were looking at accessories and then the alteration lady came out ith my pink slip to check out at the front counter.......any guesses how much? Not $50.00, not $150.00, not $250.00, no just $350.00. I just about had a coranary attack! Both my mother and my jaws dropped wide open! It was half the price of my dress. I am still recovering from shock.....but will survive. My future husband said "what can we do, and just smile as we went to sleep". God bless him!

I promise once this wedding is over, I will be a blogging fool! My life is consumed with so many things to accomplish in the next two months! Only 54 more days!

My Babies are 7 Today

2008-01-08T08:02:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Babies!

:: The Twins 2 years ago on their Birthday::

7 years ago Riley and Walker came into this world and FOREVER changed our lives! A blessing they have been, and boy can they be sneaky together! Some great twin memories, and I need to scan some pictures for another blog day:

:: Walker and Riley sucking each others thumbs as infants, never their own

:: Helping each other climb out of the crib together at a year old and hearing loud thumps on the floor

::They always pooped and had a messy diaper at THE SAME TIME!!!

::Riley always stole Walker's toy from him and Walker would just find another toy....this easy going temperament remains the same for Walker today!

::The Twins a Month ago::

Oh and did I mention, Walker is totally ticked that his brother will be 7 forty-nine minutes before him! Yes, 49 minutes!!!

Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night

2007-12-24T20:49:00.001-08:00

Just a few photos of our Christmas decorations! I hope that everyone has a blessed CHRISTmas and that we all can remember and teach our children why we celebrate this day! MERRY CHRISTmas!From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

GOD is good

2007-12-20T13:53:00.000-08:00

Can I just say that GOD is GOOD! I have been praying on several things lately. God has blessed my family in so many ways! No matter what your situation, know that God is on your side, and remember "PRAYER DOES WORK"!

Just the Two of Us Thursday

2007-12-13T18:12:00.000-08:00

Tonight was a special night! Thursday's, Tony drives an hour and a half to have dinner with Michaella! The twins used to go with him to see Michaella as I toted Peyton to soccer practice. Now that soccer is over and the church Christmas play practices are over we had to figure out how to work Thursdays! Tonight was Riley's night!It is very RARE that I get any extended period of time with just one of the kiddos. So, on Thursdays, it's "Just the Two of us Thursday"! And I must say, Riley and I LOVED it!

First we went to the store to pick out our gourmet dinner. He put the menu together. Spagettio's, Nacho Cheese Dorito's and Sprite Zero.....all his picking and much to my delight, since it was easy of course! Dinner was a hit. After that we shared our valuable time putting the train together that runs under our CHRISTmas tree. If I've never mentioned it before, Riley is ALL about trains. WE are going on 5 years of being passionate about trains. And to this day he will let EVERYONE he knows, he will be a train conductor when he grows up. He even went as far as telling me that it will be on a train where he will "find a girl who has no one to take care of her, so he will do it". I have absolutely no doubt in my mind he will have a profession that deals with trains! What a fine job he did on the track!

Once the train was up and running, he decided he wanted to bake a strawberry cake! And how great it turned out! He is very precise in following directions, if it's 2 minutes to mix, he mixes to the second!

Oh and his favorite part, licking the beaters. I think this to was my favorite part of baking with my Mom!

What a wonderful, heartfelt, warming night Riley and I had. The night ended with a chat on the couch and true insight to his day. I will cherish these moments rare moments forever!

The Disobedient Tree

2007-12-11T11:29:00.000-08:00

Friday was finally the day we had Michaella and the boys together which meant it was time to go find our annual Christmas Tree! We always look forward to it, making sure it is full, not too crocked and perfect for our home! We found it, loaded it up, and headed home to put it on display in our front window!

It took a bit of time for Tony to get it just right in the stand, but we finally got it! The kids always have so much fun putting the ornaments on! Tony and I sit and watch as they do all the decorating! OK, maybe I moved one or two to a better spot! Here's a look at our tree, with Santa right by of course! This year their Nana gave them LOTS of tropical Christmas ornaments.... hence her Parrothead background!

I get the kiddos all tucked in bed about midnight, and decide to hang the stockings and do some finishing touches when I hear a big crash! Yes, the Christmas tree fell! All of their hard work smashed on the floor! Needless to say, I left the tree right where it was and by the next afternoon we were back up with the Christmas spirit!

So we have an idea why our tree was being so "disobedient". Tony says the tree is "cursed" because we paid with a credit card for the tree, and neither one of us had cash. Which meant we couldn't tip the helpful hands who put the tree on top of the truck. We felt bad, but I guess we paid for it! the moral of the story....always remember your cash to pay the tip!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope everyone is having a blessed CHRISTmas season!!!!

Broadway Star

2007-12-06T08:32:00.001-08:00

O.K., I officially label myself as a big goober! Two weeks ago I registered at Dillards for our upcoming wedding. When I was all done, the consultant had me fill out a form for a drawing. The winner would receive 2 Waterford champagne flute, $150.00 value. Without any thought of possibly winning, I filled out the entry.

Since that day, I had forgotten all about it. I sometimes wonder when there are drawings, if someone actually wins. I don't sometimes wonder that, I always wonder that! Well, last night I received a call and I WON! I was ecstatic! How cool is that, I WON! I don't win anything! I WON! I know, I'm a goober! It's such a good feeling though! Winning! I LOVE TO WIN! They are perfect too!

Anyway, on to more important life events....Peyton is in his Christmas Program tonight at school and he has his own speaking part! So he's not really a Broadway Star, but he is in my heart! We've worked hours on speaking slow and very clearly! Something tells me when he walks up to the microphone and sees a hundred people starring at him, his voice will be fast, shaky and broken! I can't wait to see the performance and I'll let you know tomorrow how it goes!

I'm going to leave you with a few pictures from this morning!

Where's the Tooth?

2007-12-05T05:19:00.000-08:00

As promised to Riley, he was indeed the first on the Tooth Fairies list last night. Don't ask me how I know, I don't share secrets! The Tooth Fairy had a slight problem though, the tooth was NOWHERE to be found under his pillow! Thinking and thinking, she decided to check on the floor, just in case it fell. Nothing. One more thought, she skipped over to Walker's pillow and looked under it, no surprise, there was Riley's tooth. Dilemma, where does she put his money. Deciding she needed to prove a point, where the tooth is, the money goes!

Come to find out this morning, Walker convinced Riley that the Tooth Fairy would only come if it was only under his pillow(that's why she didn't come the night before), and that he would actually get more money too! Walker's gonna make a great salesman. Had she known this I bet the Tooth Fairy wishes she put the money under Riley's pillow! Twins, you never know what they're up to!

Needless to say, Walker gave Riley his three dollars as promised and Riley was thrilled all morning!

Do You See What I See

2007-12-04T06:50:00.000-08:00

I am feeling much better today! Yet, I am sad for Riley! You see, I slept all day and went to bed at 8:00 last night. Not being able to spend time with the boys yesterday, I ran upstairs to wake Riley up (he likes to be the first one ready EVERY morning) and get my huge good morning hugs he generously hands out every morning. I rubbed his head, he was still asleep, he opened his eyes, looked straight up to me happy as could be....

"I lost my tooth last night"

"What? What tooth?" (I didn't know he had one that close to coming out...I think he played with it for a while trying to knock it out!)

"This one" he says as he shows me his snaggled tooth mouth!

"Oh my, where is it?"

"Ummm"....he lifts up his pillow, "It's still here he says with a sad voice.

"Oh baby, I am sure you lost it late last night after the tooth fairy already had her list of children."

"No, it was only 9:00" he proceeds, "last time it was 9:45", still looking sad.

"You know what baby, I bet last night was a very busy night for her, lots of teeth being lost."

"Like a trillion kids."

"I bet a trillion, but I bet you are first on her list tonight!"

"I bet I am too."

I am very optimistic that the tooth fairy will fulfill her duties tonight. I don't think I could handle another morning of unexpected disappointment!

A Finer Day Awaits

2007-12-03T12:08:00.000-08:00

Raging head, throbbing eyes, chapping nose, cozy bed, coarse tissue. No light today. Let the day squeak by, the night go slow, and may a finer day await tomorrow!

It Was All About Me

2007-12-03T06:47:00.000-08:00

Why is it when you have a birthday you don't feel a day older, but when your children have a birthday you feel OLD!!!

I don't feel any older, yet, I turned 33 yesterday! The great thing about a Sunday birthday.....we can make it a birthday weekend! And that's exactly what we did! I arrived home Friday after an extra long stressful drive in traffic, to these wonderful homemade Chocalate Meringue pies. Just last week I gave Tony my Grandmother's recipe and what a great suprise I had! A yummy one at that!

On Saturday Tony treated me to dinner at our new favorite Italian Restaurant, Pallotta's. Shrimp Marsala with sundried tomatoes and portabella mushrooms made me happy, along with a nice glass of merlot!

Are you getting the idea I gained a few pounds this weekend! On Sunday my parents came over for smoked chicken, a pot of beans, and rice. Not to mention a devil's food pound cake which Riley helped light and yelled "looks like we're gonna have a fire!" Tony couldn't have made the weekend any better!

TAG, I'M IT

2007-11-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

Well, last week I was tagged, and it is now time to share interesting facts about me! Here we go!

1. I despise cold weather. It makes me grumpy, lethargic and pretty much a wimp! I would much rather have sweat dripping down my forehead than have goosebumps consuming my body, making my freshly shaven legs feel prickly! Oh, and add rain to the cold.....forget it, stay away from me!

2. I love home cooked meals. For so long my life was in the habit of grabbing food on the go. No thank you, I prefer anything home cooked, well, almost anything! Of course, when I say home cooked, I mean Tony doing the cooking! My job is the dishes.

3. Some know this, but I have had 6 knee surgeries; hence the blog name SIDELINED! The root cause, a lanky clumsy girl coming underneath the volleyball net, taking me out in the best volleyball game of my career. The good news, I am a "great" candidate for a knee transplant. Not sure if that's good news, but the docs seem to think so! Though it may sound I am a bit bitter, I once was, I now know God has other plans for me!

4. I didn't get my drivers license until the age of 24! I know, insane! Luckily I had great friends who drove me lots of places. If anyone EVER needs a ride I am the first to do it! No guys, not hitchhikers, people I actually know! I am forever indebted to provide free rides!

5. ROAD RAGE drives me crazy! The thing I least like about HOUSTON is the drivers! If everybody would let one car in at the freeway entrance ramps the flow of traffic would be a WHOLE lot better! Geez, what a concept!

**This was one of my blooms just last week**

6. I love Hibiscus. Yes I went as far as to get a tattoo of one on my back. And I love it, no regrets! My goal is to be known as the "Hibiscus Lady"in the neighborhood! I love the flowers beauty, that they bloom for so many months, and that each bloom only lasts a day.

A Lump on a Log

2007-11-29T11:01:00.000-08:00

Lately, I am like a lump on a log. Or shall I say a mushroom on a stump. I am gliding through each day doing what I am supposed to do, except the dishes, hoping something exciting strikes me soon. To put it simple: I feel I have nothing of interest to make a difference in your day!

All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth.....

2007-11-27T06:42:00.000-08:00

It's been 4 months and Walker has NO signs of his two front teeth coming in. When making his Christmas list we suggested his two front teeth should be top of his list!

Two front teeth were obviously not on the top of his Christmas list. A new big boy bike definitely is, however, he is willing to take it off if he can have one other thing, actually it's two somethings.

Yes, it is a baby sister Walker would love to have. At dinner the other night he sweetly rambled on about a baby sister, "but not just one Mommy, we need two baby sisters like Riley and I."

"Twins you mean?"

"Of course, that way we will have three boys and three girls and our family will be even. But don't worry Mommy, I will get them for Christmas so that way you never have to go to the hospital or anything like that."

"That's sweet Walker, but where would they sleep?"

"In Peyton's room because Riley and I already share a room."

"Baby, I think you already have a long list for Santa already made out, it's too late to change it this year."

"I'll take my big boy bike off the list, that would be o.k."

Thankfully he never changed his original list. I think by next year he will have decided that two baby sisters is not such a good idea, and we should keep our family just the way we have it.

Oh and I've decided no more spending time with his baby cousin Kate.....since this conversation came a day after spending a whole weekend with her! (just kidding JoJo, you can have them anytime!)

Thanksgiving Day 7: Who's Parents are Those?

2007-11-21T10:27:00.000-08:00

Well, with a week of giving blog thanks, it's time to hit two very important people who deserve so much gratitude! My crazy and wild parents! Now, those of you who are reading this and knew my parents when I was young are probably thinking "yeah, like the Nelson's are wild and crazy!". Maybe this picture can prove my point!

Mom and Dad are now Parrot Heads....nothing makes them happier than hanging out with their friends in Kemah, traveling to Parrot Head events in Key West, Alabama, Vegas......if there's a gathering, they are there!

Well, deserved time too.

I am thankful my parents:

forgive

were at every event of mine as a child

traveled 5 hours on Tuesdays from Houston to Stephenville to watch me play volleyball

love my boys to death

live near by

are having fun

helped me through the toughest time of my life

instilled values that helped shape my character

I am thankful that my parents put my brother and I before anything growing up! They were ALWAYS there!

Love you MOMMY and DADDY!

THANKSGIVING DAY 6: My Brother

2007-11-20T12:06:00.000-08:00

I am so so thankful for my brother! Without him, I truly don't know where I would be. He was a hard brother, he had big expectations of me, and when I failed him I could see the disappointment! I've always wanted to make him proud of me.

I must admit, as compettive of a heart that I have, there was no better feeling as a kid than beating my brother at a sport! Any sport, you name it, I was gonna beat him!

I think my brother was even my biggest fan, well, next to Dad! I played volleyball for years and continued into college. As I was huffing and puffing catching my breath from a long strenuous game, there was my brother waiting in the bleachers to untie my shoes, pull off my STANKY ankle braces, and my sweaty sticky socks so I could air off my feet. If he was at a game he always did that. Now that I read that, it sounds weird, but let me tell you, I felt like the luckiest sister around.

My brother's senior year in high school, ( I am 3 yrs younger ) I cried so often at night knowing he was leaving to college. I would go in his room and sleep on the floor! Funny thing is, he decided to live at home and go to college, thus I was the first to leave! All that worry for nothing!

When I was a freshman in highschool and he was a senior, I could walk up to his table at lunch, hold out my hand, and he would lay lunch money in my hand. No questions asked, no speaking, he took care of me, and I left silently to spare him from any embarrassment, I was a freshman, they're not allowed at the senior table, so not cool!

To this day, I would have to say, I look up to my brother more than anybody, sad thing is, I see him the least. Chris is a go getter....he is full of ambition, loves his children, and on a good day, he's REALLY funny!

The last story I will share about my brother, when I went through a divorce, it was him (and my parents) who allowed me to get out of a bad situation. It was him who made me realize, that it's not always the woman deciding to stay in a bad marriage. So often I hear, "why does she stay with him". I know why, if the woman has no money, a lawyer to protect her children, and a place to stay until she gets on her feet, what is a woman supposed to do. You will never hear me ask why a woman stays......I will pray for the situation. I am fortunate that I had a family to help me in a HUGE time of need!

Oh, and my brother's pretty good at bragging about he's lil sis too! I often catch him telling stories of me back in the day. Makes me smile, just a bit! He also landed me a job with the company he works for, and have now been with the company for seven years.

I definitely am thankful for my one and only sibling.....I could go on forever about him! I hope my boys and Michaella grow up loving one another the way we did....of course we did have a few HUGE fights....sorry Chris, I gotta let em know I won those fights!

Here's to brothers and childhood memories!

THANKSGIVING DAY 4 and 5 : SINUS MEDICATION

2007-11-19T13:13:00.000-08:00

I had all intentions to blog on Sunday, but I had to commit myself to some major yard work, primarily raking 8 bags worth of pine needles! I love our pine trees, the entire neighborhood is engulfed with these long lanky trees! Absolutely beautiful, definitely a neusance. After completely satisfied with a days worth of work outside, I wake this morning to, well, a yard full of pine needles. Just overnight, viola, coated in needles.

I almost forgot this post was supposed to be about Thanksgiving. If you can't quite tell by the tone of the blog, I don't feel well. Sinus pressure is throbbing behind my eyes and I would rather be at home in bed. But since I can't, I am THANKFUL for Sudafed Maximum Strength Sinus Headache Medication. I have tested them all, yet this is the only one to relieve some of the pain!

Until tomorrow ! I promise to be much more chipper tomorrow!

THANKSGIVING DAY 3 : THINGS THAT MAKE A DAY HAPPY

2007-11-17T23:50:00.000-08:00

Today I am being thankful for the things that make me smile throughout a day, and with the day coming to a close, I better hurry!

I am thankful for Jacuzzi baths

Late nights

jeans and t-shirts

flip flops

romantic sappy movies

another chance

forgiveness

the bay house

PEOPLE magazine

my computer

Prayer

neighbors, we love, having a hard time selling their house (now that's selfish)

and my 13 year old DOC MARTINS (13 yrs old) yes, Jade they are as old as our friendship!

I am thankful for lazy days and chotic days, all the same,

redemption and salvation

and I am thankful I am me and nobody else, no matter what comes my way, I wouldn't want to be me any other way.........

I am thankful you are reading this, no matter what your thoughts might be about me....

I am thankful for you! Yes you, I might not even know you! The world wouldn't be the same without you! I hope that someday I meet you!

I thank you!

Thanksgiving Day 2: TONY

2007-11-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

TONY

What a perfect opportunity to brag on my soon-to-be husband, Tony. I am so very very very blessed to have my best friend as my love and this I am beyond Thankful for.

Being a divorced working mother of three boys, life was hectic, chaotic, and sometimes well, sometimes simply near impossible. My goal, was to raise my three boys, the best I knew, get them raised and then worry about a man down the road. Guess what, that' s not what happened. Fortunately for me a good friend introduced me to an amazing, loving, caring, kind, giving Christian man.

Now as your reading, don't forget, I was a single mom of three boys (the twins had just turned 4 and Peyton had just turned six). There simply aren't too many men out in this world saying yes, "I want to meet this girl, three boys no problem". That was my first clue I found my man. I am thankful he felt that way.

I am thankful for his GORGEOUS smile, his sweet spontaneous acts of kindness, Valentine's Day at Yia Yia Mary's, his passion, our kid free weekends, our movie dates, days on the golf course, his kind words about me to ALL of his patients, his opening my door every time I get in the car, his willing to learn sports, his sewing abilities, his love for my children, his love for his "sunshine", his love for his mother and father. I am thankful for his Christian heart, his encouraging words, and seeing that we are serving the Lord. I am thankful that I can give him my ideas and he never looks at me like I am crazy. I am thankful for his love to cook, even though I gained weight because of it! I am thankful for his unselfish soul.

I am thankful for his ability to build, look at this beautiful cross with mosaic border he made during his lunch breaks at work!

I am also thankful for his Father who instilled these values and shaped his character!

Thanksgiving:Children

2007-11-15T10:57:00.000-08:00

CHILDREN

With Thanksgiving a week away, I have decided to do a week of blogging about 7 things I am thankful for. Being that I am a mother of 3 boys and a soon to be daughter (no, I am not pregnant...Tony has a 10 year old daughter) the first thing I am very thankful for is our CHILDREN.

It is all things about our CHILDREN I am thankful for:

* perfect little toes and feet

* beautiful smiles when you pick them up after a long day at work

* will to learn and try new things

* loving hearts

* summer vacations

* moods (cranky, happy, rambunctious,etc.) that make us grow as parents

* sweet spontaneous hugs

* well rehearsed school and church programs

* fears and their fearlessness

* need for us when they have a bad day

* funny sayings they don't even know they said

* conversations that are WAY older than they are

* Saturday morning sports games

* sweet smell after a nice bath

* pick up football games in the street

I am so thankful for Tony and my children. Thankful they are healthy, loving, spiritual, growing individuals setting out to do their own things!

OUR NEXT FAMILY ADVENTURE

2007-11-13T14:38:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned on Saturday, soccer for the boys ended this weekend. I am still very sad, because one of my favorite past times is sports, and what team is better to watch than your very own child's. So now that the lawnchairs are put away, we now need a new family excursion for the weekends. While the weather is nice I am thinking of doing a new adventure a friend at work opened my eyes to, LETTERBOXING. I'm sure many of your expressions are the same as mine, "what the heck is Letterboxing?" The funny thing is, people all across America have already set out on the adventure and I've never heard about it!

Letterboxing is an outdoor hobby that combines elements of orienteering, art and puzzle solving. Letterboxers hide small, weatherproof boxes in publicly-accessible places (like parks) and distribute clues to finding the box on one of several websites or by word of mouth. Individual letterboxes usually contain a logbook and a rubber stamp. Finders make an imprint of the letterbox's stamp on their personal logbook, and leave an impression of their personal stamp on the letterbox's logbook — as proof of having found the box. Many letterboxers keep careful track of their "find count". (O.K, so that was a very serious sounding definition, yet the best I could find!)

What a great idea....whether your'e in your own city, traveling to the country for a day trip or vacationing anywhere in North America, somewhere there is a letterbox to be found awaiting YOUR FAMILY to "leave their mark". Or, find a great spot and post great clues for your very own family letterbox.

http://www.letterboxing.org/america.htm .... here's your first clue to a Letterbox near you! I'm off to purchase our family stamp!

Another Broken Promise

2007-11-11T12:01:00.000-08:00

I watch my young boys eyes fill with disappointment and hurt as he hangs up the telephone,

Tears flow from yet another broken promise.

I wipe his tears, hold him tight, knowing the pain his heart feels.

I reassure my love to him and assure that I will never break a promise.

It does little, for he knows that is so. What he wants, is to know the one who has, will no more.

I can't sugar coat it, I can't promise it, I can't tell him it will change.

I must watch his heart become callous and tough, for one day, he will know to expect no more.

My stength through his sadness and pain, is our love, our Faith, and the keeping of our own promises.

His strength, is our love , his Faith, and a gradually toughening heart.

I go to my room, I shed my own tear and pray for my son's heart.

ANOTHER SEASON IN THE HISTORY BOOKS

2007-11-10T19:29:00.000-08:00

Well, today ended our Fall season of soccer. It saddens me. There is no greater joy to me than getting up bright and early on Saturday mornings grabbing the lawn chairs, making sure the water bottles are full, praying the kids can remember where each of them last left their soccer cleats and those darn shin guards, and running out the door, forgetting something of course!

I love to cheer my kids on in their games and watching each week what improvements they make! I love it. My question at the end of each season, will they choose this sport again?

What is next in store for each of them, only time will tell.

Speaking of time, what will we do with our extra time. Now that the lawn chairs (yes, we have old school lawn chairs) are placed back in the garage until next season, we'll probably enjoy a few more family meals together, do our homework at the table rather than in the car on the way to soccer practice, and probably fill the time up with well, yet another activity.....like the Church Christmas Program practices! The great thing about kids, they keep us moving.

Here's to crazy chaotic days, and hoping for a few slower ones too.

Originality Requested

2007-11-08T09:50:00.000-08:00

Today at lunch, I was browsing the internet trying to decide on Wedding Favors for our guests. My dilemma, I don't know what people like or dislike as wedding favors. I certainly don't want the guests leaving and saying "I can't believe this is what they gave us!" So here's your chance to chime in with your ideas!

Here's some possibilities, but I would really like something ORIGINAL! Unfortunately, ORIGINALITY is not one of my strongest qualities! (Yes, Mom I know you are agreeing with me on that! :) )

The top photo is a heart with wild flower seeds the guest can plant and watch them bloom! I like this idea, I just hope everyone will actually do it.

The second, a Koozie with a cute design of my picking.....my thought, the guys will actually get use out of this as well as the gals!

The third, cookie cutters the whole family can use for years!

And my last idea I am toying with is the cute favor box with personalized M and M's.....definitely not original! But, I like it!

SIMPLE PARENTAL REWARDS

2007-11-07T08:51:00.000-08:00

Everyday as parents, it is our goal to teach our children right from wrong, to treat others the way they want to be treated. It's often that I think I must tell them how to do this or I must prompt them when to do this. Yesterday proved me wrong. I picked my three boys up from afterschool care, they were full of stories of their long day at school and what they did with their friends at recess. As they're all excitiedly reminescing of their daily events, my youngest of the twins, Walker, amazed me with what I call a "simple parental reward". He simply opened my car door for me, waited for me to get in and shut the door. It put a smile on my heart that will last a life time.

Walker didn't learn to do this by someone telling him to, he has watched Tony open my door for two and half years everyday we are together leaving in a car. And yesterday, my little six year old stepped up to the plate as the "Gentleman" when Tony wasn't there.

Officially NEW at this.....please forgive me

2007-11-06T12:15:00.000-08:00

We can all thank my GREAT and well missed friend Jade for getting me blogging. Please excuse my "newness" at such a thing. I am looking forward to sharing my life with three boys, a soon to be husband, soon to be step daughter, my love for sports and my faith in our Lord. Wish me luck and I promise to do my best!

Thanks JADE!