Hopeful

Today was a 'fun' day for my students where we did a project using wordle.net. It turns words into kind of an art form. I decided to make my own. This is everything I hope my son will be when he grows up. I can see he's on his way =)

Products for Productivity (and Sanity)

I'm only coming up on my 2nd year of the job title "Mom", but I've come to appreciate some things differently.

1. The DVR. Ok Ok, so I technically didn't even have this long before I had Grant, but it is definately something I don't remember what I did without. If it wasn't for the DVR, I wouldn't be able to stay awake for those late night feedings. I taped the entire series of 90210 and watched it at 2am feeding time. I was so into it and I literally started to think my husband was looking more like Luke Perry .


2. The Crock Pot. So much you can do with it (if I was just a better planner!). I don't use it as much as I like, but I love it when I come home and don't have to think about 'what's for dinner?' See the blog I follow where a woman used her crock pot every day for a year. There must be SOMETHING you can eat on there!

3. The Shark. I just got it a month ago, but I can already see where it will be one of my favorite products. I can clean my floors without that GROSS mop and bucket. Its quicker, easier, and just more sanitary. I could see a real difference on my floors the first time I used it.

4. The Portable DVD Player. We got one free back when we got married when we signed up for DirecTV. It had never been used until our son became a toddler. We found out this is the best way to keep him entertained in very long car rides. In fact, I saw "Robin Hood" 2 times on the way home from our Spring Break trip to see family. I'm pretty sure I can quote it line from line.


5. Laurie Berkner. Oh, Laurie! How I love thee! I was introduced to her via The Noggin network when I watched "Jack's Big Music Show" with my nephew. My son is now a fan of the show so we bought her CD of kid's songs. Every song is written and performed by her and each song has an interesting story behind how she came up with the funky and fresh songs. I found that I have even made up dances to go with her songs so I can dance with Grant. I'm excited to see if the Easter bunny brings another one of her CDs.


6. The digital camera. Even though mine is now DEAD (long story involving the camera and dirty dishes) I love the digital camera. I have a full fledged video camera but of course I can't carry around that thing 24/7. But with my digital camera, I can carry it with me and capture great moments. I just wish I was fast enough sometimes. I had a great moment to film today and by the time I turned my 'temporary' camera on, Grant stopped what he was doing. I think he's on to me!

7. The giant 'mommy' purse. They are not just for hiding goodies to carry into the movie theatre anymore!! In my purse, I now must have the following: wallet (not the cute little compact ones, must have room for checkbook!), cell phone (which I can never find when needed), pen, hand sanitizer wipes, mini-cosmetic pack (full of band-aids, nail file, nail clippers, and more hand sanitizer), pocket Bible (which I just again found the other day, it was MIA for awhile), pocket calender, Kleenex, and 2-3 cars, toys, etc. Do I need all of this all the time, well no, but I'm pretty sure I can now win that purse scavenger hunt game if I ever have to play it!



Is there anything you have come it appreciate???

Box Tops and Memories

So, I've always seen these on boxes and never really took a second look at them. But about a year ago, I realized exactly what they do and how they help others. For each one, General Mills, Inc. gives 10 cents to the place you donate the labels to. I just put a ziploc baggie on my fridge and place them in it as I go. It is a great way to help others, without much effort.

Elementary schools use them, but I choose to give mine to Sunny Glen Children's Home in San Benito, TX. They use the box tops to buy supplies needed for the children that live at the home.

Spring Break, 5 years ago (wow!), I went with a college group there for a mission trip. I had the best time and made some great memories. I also love how when I mail out the boxtops, I'm brought back to that great week. Also, come to find out, Daniel bought my engagement ring right after we got back from this trip and proposed a few weeks later.

One of the little faces of Sunny Glen that I feel in love with, "B". He cried and held onto me when we left. Come to find out, he is still at this home. Makes me sad to think that. The blanket he is holding is what we made for him and all the other children that week.
Here is "B"'s little sister, "K". Such a sweet smile, again holding onto her blanket we made.


That week, we also completed this BIG project. Anna (pictured) and I were masters of the hammer when we finished.

I got a stomach bug that had traveled around the children the week before, halfway through the week long trip. For about 2 days, you could see me with constantly with Sprite in my hand. I remember that this night I was so glad to be out of bed and back with the kids. Pictured is Anna and "S" and "M" (yes, I still remember their names!)

They had this huge zip line on the property. Daniel couldn't wait to get up there. I'm a chicken when it comes to heights, so I just cheered him on.

Snow Pictures

Ok, its almost a month later, but it better than not putting them up at all!

Rowdy and Honey loved the snow....but were definatley ready to come in after a while.

Our electricity went out for about 2 and a half days so we camped out at my parents home. One day while Grant was napping, Daniel and I put together a our 'snow-woman'.
When Grant woke up, he was ready to play!

By the way, when it got this cold, I realized I did NOT have the proper cold weather attire. I had to borrow Daniel's hunting gear..haha

But here we are!!!

My favorite boys

Beauty in the Common Things: Grant constantly trying to do what his big cousin Fletcher is doing and saying "Fetcho". They are almost exactly 2 years apart and Grant is at the age where his playing can be appreciated and they sit and talk to eachother (somewhat). We are in Austin spending the weekend with my brother and his family and will have so many pictures to post!! Well, I'm quite behind, so I already have a million to post!

View from the Kitchen Window: Looks like it will be another pretty late winter day! We are going to the Kite Festival in Austin. I know the boys will LOVE it!

Dinner Plans: I'm just waiting on Daniel to bring back donuts! I'm hungry! I'm trying to get this done before he gets back. Oh, but I know it definatley does not involve any more than 5 minutes of cooking!

Listen In: Fletcher and Gramt sucking down apple juice and MingMing from "Wonder Pets" singing about bullfrogs. Wonderful!

Yesterday, Daniel had to go take an exam for graduate school in the area, so my brother Greg, his wife Winonah, my nephew Fletcher and Grant and I went out and spent the day out and about enjoying the weather.

We went and spent a few hours at the Dell Diamond, being appreciated at Round Rock Express fan appreciation day.

Fletcher got himself a balloon sword which he was very proud of. Very much a boy's boy just like Grant is turning out to be!
I bought this 'magic backpack' as an extra hand for Grant in crowded situations. He is good about holding hands for about 90% of the time but I want him to have a little freedom as well. Ok, so it does look like a leash and Fletcher wanted to take the reigns for a while. Poor guy needs a puppy I think!
No 'magic backpack' here! There was a great playground at the ballpark and he was having a blast!


What boy doesn't love firetrucks? Also, Grant was so happy to finally get to play with the sword. Notice the matching Batman shirts =)
Finally, my favorite picture from the day. Fletcher helped Grant get to the top of the playground at Chick-Fil-A and I think he was so proud of himself. Oh, those dimples...they will break some hearts one day!

January

Beauty in the Common Things: Being well! In January, our family went through the RSV virus, the stomach virus and strep. Grant was a little trooper through all of them. I had strep the worst, I couldn't even move, and Daniel did great playing 'single parent'.

Listen In: Grant talking to the TV. He is watching "Ni Hao, Kai-lan". She is a little Chinese girl who teaches you some ways to be a good friend and her native language. He loves her! Tonight she is teaching the word 'snow' which in Chinese, happens to sound like dirty little 4 letter curse word. And yes, Grant is repeating it. Whoopsie...

View from the Kitchen Window: Our little Honey, searching for her way out. She has been digging, we think she's in heat. We haven't gotten her fixed yet, so we're revving up the security!

Dinner Plans: Low Fat pepperoni+low fat cheese+low fat ranch+refrigerated pizza dough=calzones that are actually yummy and quick!

Like I said, this has been a crazy month. We started the month by celebrating Daniel's 25th birthday. Daniel, his Dad, sister, and I went to a Dallas Cowboys game. If you know anything about Daniel, you know he is a football fan and an even bigger Dallas Cowboys fan. I was happy for him that we got to see 'Jerry's World' and all the bells and whistles with it. What was even better is that Dallas beat Philadelphia.

Daniel and his Dad waiting outside of Cowboys Stadium.

Touchdown! We got 2 seats and 2 seats, so D sat down the row from me....

Before the game.

The ridiculously cool Cowboys Stadium

Her Morning Elegance

Beauty in the Common Things: Spending time with friends. Since we have finals this week, I get to spend more time with people I don't always get to spend time with. I got to scrapbook today! 2 pages down, 1 million to go!

Listen In: Wow Wow Wubzy! Not the best Nick Jr. show, but Grant likes it!

View from Kitchen Window: My cat and his girlfriend he brought over this afternoon. What a ladies man!

I found this video through an online article about the top viewed videos of 2009. This one was so cool to me. Another one of those, "Why didn't I think of that!??"