A Short Random Post

Random thoughts, random pictures.................

This photo was a in magazine.  It cracked me up but I am happy to say that my cul-de-sac is very close and I don't know what I'd do without them.  We love to get together!

If you can't read the small sign it says "Lost Art Exhibit.....Block Party".  Sad but true.

Charlotte's outfit for her preschool picture and Connor's 3rd Grade picture.....................

 When Connor was little, and even now!, everything is a gun.  For Charlotte everything is a phone!

And, finally, this is a horrible pic but my best friend Erin and I are training for a marathon in Austin on Feb. 16, 2015.  Saturday we did 11 miles and it was great.  I thought we would be more tired but I guess our training is working!  We get up most days at 5:00 and run by 5:30.  If Erin wasn't holding me accountable I promise you I wouldn't be doing this!  Thanks my friend!

Our Little Gymnast

Our other little athlete is Charlotte the gymnast.  She has been attending Eagle Gymnastics for about 1.5 years.  She loves her instructor Miss Chloe who is a cute college girl, much like I was.  Haha.....I digress.  Anyway, her are some pics and videos.

Getting ready for her first class in her cute warmup suit.............................

This was after her first lesson..................

And she now likes to do gymnastics in the car while we wait to pick up the kids from school..........

And Mommy loves gymnastics because it is indoors and has wifi!! :)

Connors Yellow Belt!!

Connor started taking Tae Kwon Do classes in August at Tiger Rock Academy. He loves it and so do I!!  Indoors (a big plus in Texas) plus wifi. What more could I want?  Honestly, I've been really impressed with their focus on discipline, integrity, hard work, and good behavior. Several times I've put my good money to use and said, "Now Connor, what would Master Dallas think of that choice?". Aha!  Take that!

So, after a few months of training he tested for his yellow belt last Saturday.  (Sorry video quality is poor and there is a girl standing in the way.  If you double click then the video will be bigger but the quality poorer.  Pick your poison.).

Again, video quality is poor but watch when he gives the instructor a fist bump at the end.  Pretty funny.

And the Belt Ceremony...........................

And for an added bonus, watch Connor break his first board...................

We also did a Board Break-A-Thon to support Frisco Family Services.  Connor raised money to break 3 boards...........................

This is Master Dallas, the owner...............

Aaron and Connor's Baptism

On August 10, 2014 both Aaron and Connor were baptized!

Aaron had been baptized before but joked that "it was done on a Tuesday night at the 11th hour with no one but the pastor and myself there".  So, we realized that if the actual act of baptism doesn't save you but is just a way to "tell the story of a decision you have already made", as our pastor described it, well, he hadn't really told anyone!

Aaron went first and was baptized by Pastor Dave Carl who leads his men's group and has been a great mentor to Aaron.  Then Connor came down into the baptismal and was baptized by Aaron.  It was Awesome.  Charlotte and I got to speak a "blessing" to Connor before he went under.

Dear Connor,

We are so proud of you today.  You are publicly showing others what we know you have believed in your heart for a long time, that Jesus is the Son of God and your Savior.  As He was baptized you are following His instruction and doing the same.  It is so comforting as parents to know that wherever life takes you you have already made the most important decision of your life. 

We love the wonderful, smart, and silly son that you are..

P.S.  Because I am your mother I have to give you some practical advice....Don't forget to hold your nose.  

Connor's best friend Alex (and my best friend's son) was also baptized and we topped it all off with a party at our house afterwards.  All of our closest friends were there so it really meant a lot to me.

I am so proud of both of them.  Connor is so pure and excited about his faith.  He's at the stage where he doesn't question anything and can't understand why anyone WOULDN'T believe in Jesus as God's Son.

Aaron has changed in so many ways and this was such a great testament to both of our kids.  He has become a true example of a great father and husband.

And now for the pics!

Blogging for Super Grandma and Grandpa

I have decided to try to commit to my blog again. I am not happy with my current rate of several times a year posting. 

So to try to motivate myself to keep at it I am dedicating my new attempt to Super Grandma and Grandpa. That's what we call great grandparents (my grandparents). I'm not sure where that name came from. That's just always what we've said. I remember once a friend asked me "can they fly?".  So, since I am bad at keeping in touch through phone calls and I don't do Facebook here we go....

We'll start with some funny things Charlotte has been saying lately. I wrote them down on sticky notes, and thank goodness, because I wouldn't remember them all. 

• "My dad could invent a time machine and he invented pickles." (Interesting)

• "Can I sleep with my eyes open?" (I reply "Yes, but if you get out of bed then you with have to sleep with them closed".  Works every time.)

• "When I have a fever or cough or am just really dramatic the best thing to do is eat cinnamon bread."

• "Presents are beautiful things." (This was just a random thought she shared while we were watching tv). 

• (I had just asked her what she wanted for lunch). "I don't know but don't say "same old, same old" cuz I DONT KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!"

• "Why did the bananas cross the road? Because they were hungry!!  Wait, did I say chickens or bananas??" (Apparently she has very short term memory). 

• "College is where you go to get a new husband". 

• "The reason I want you to be the mom is because you are much bigger than me". (Hmmm, was this even up for discussion?). 

• And last but definitely not least ......

  "Real dinosaurs existed back in....ummm....I'd say the 80's." (Really?  The 80's). "Yes, I'm totally serious!!"  

Couples Counseling

How many people does it take to re-light a water heater?  At our house apparently 2. 

So, I guess our water heater (1 of 2) pilot blew out a few weeks ago?  I have noticed our water not being very warm. I finally got up the guts to go investigate. I lost my nerve when the instructions start with "If you smell gas, STOP, call 911!"  I just knew I was going to blow up the house. 

Since not showering for several days was not kind to others I decided to go to Plan B: sacrifice my husband. 

He acted like this was no big deal with stories of how he had to light his all the time as a kid (and with an actual lighter no less.  Who gives a kid a lighter and says "now, if you smell gas...."?.). Anyway, so I wait downstairs for the explosion and nothing.  He can't get it to light either! 

So, I have no choice but to go up there. We read the instructions repeatedly, discussed how much it would cost to have someone else do this, and after 4 tries it finally lit!  It sounded like a blow torch. Our victory was bittersweet since I knew the explosion would now happen in the middle of the night while we were all sleeping. 

But, thanks to the grace of God, we made it and I am about to take my first non-lukewarm shower in weeks. 

Now that's some couples counseling. Go team!

1st Day of 2nd Grade

Connor did great his 1st day he didn't cry or run out of the room and this morning he said, "mom, you liked school right?".  I said yes I always had liked it (I didn't tell him I also always cried my first day). He said," I like school too. I am excited to go". Come rely different t from the last two years when I had to force him the first few days. 

His teacher is Ms. Decker. She has a lot of experience (21 years), twin 3rd grade boys, and seems just the right balance of kind and firm. 

Charlotte and Mommy had "girl day" after we dropped him off. We met my friend Erin and her daughter Rylie at the mall and ate and played. At the end we treated the girls (and ourselves unfortunately to fancy cupcakes). 

We have future plans for pedicures!

She's Gonna Be High Maintenance

So besides the fact that she cries when a speck of dirt is on her and don't even mention a bug, she is now freaking out about the red spot on her face. She asked me "Mom, what is it?!?  When will it go away?!"  I told her just a bug bite but still today she is all upset about it. 

I dread her first pimple. 

How did this child come from her love of the great outdoors camping mother?  

Luckily I do a homemade photo calendar each year.  The pictures for this month (March) are always from last March and so on. 

I am so far behind now on blogging I can't remember what we really did last April (that's where I'm caught up to).  So, I looked at the calendar and the only thing on April is this.....

 





Now what's really funny is that I know for a fact this pic was taken in May at my neighbors house.  So, the official story for April 2012 is........nothing happened!

 

May

 

Now, It just occurred to me you may be wondering, "Why does she feel obiligated to blog for each month of the year?".  Boring!  So sorry, but my black and white only brain has to operate this way.

 

Connor finished Kindergarten and sadly enough was sick his last day of school!  He missed his first official "Last Day of School!" party.  I think I cried but he didn't seem to care.  I think he was just glad he got to stay home. :)  Luckily he had his graduation the day before.

 

  Connor and Mrs. Hall

 

 I have to admit this is a great pic but I mainly like it because it makes me look thin.  hahaha.

  Connor received the Super Scientist award.