Kris Kringle

Our latest visit to Gruene. We do this every year, this is the one pic where we all participate in the photo.

When we saw Santa, Harrison asked, "Is this the North Pole???"

Thank you Melody!!!

Sweet Melody took this photo. I love it!!! It will always bring me joy.

Happy Birthday Hubby - you are MINE

When I saw this video for the first time I couldn't help but think of Shaun and I.

I mean, he was a waiter at the Olive Garden (that is where we met) and we've had our rough patches, but in the end it is all great. I know it is a corny way to say "Happy Birthday and I love you" but it is really pretty sweet too!

So yes, in the beginning we both had a lot more hair and in the end we have one more boy, but it is pretty much a good video of us. (oh, and minus my parents fighting).

Happy Birthday and I love you sweet Shaun!

How cute is this?

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com


This reminds me of when I was little and we would go the amusement park and get those cut outs made of my mom, dad and I. So cute!!!

Run!

Here are the boys, running for the dinosaur at the Witte museum. What a fun day!

Max loves his bed

Max is bringing us so much joy right now. He is walking and crawling. He is up to about 6 steps before he falls, he might be able to take a few more steps if he wasnt trying to clap and walk at the same time. Someone is pretty proud of himself. It is crazy how much he has changed in a year...and yes, the time has flown by.

We are loving the cooler weather and the boys are excited about Jason & Dena coming to babysit, birthday parties and Halloween.

I love fall and my boys.

Really, I am content.

Bye Bye Perfection

This says..."Adios Perfection, Hola Contentment"

Really, I cant do it anymore. I can not be the perfect mom, wife, social worker, (or blogger) or friend. I just dont have it in me.

But I can be content with who I am.

Join the movement....www.ordinarycourage.com

Read the book....

And stop the fight and love who you are Right Now.

Max is 1 year old!!

Dear Max,

Happy First Birthday. You are such a joy and easy baby. You are sleeping through the night, and that makes me so happy. You wake up happy and ready to move. Yet, you are content to just be on my hip most of the time. You took a few steps for your dad and I today; it is only days before you are walking everywhere. Last year at this time, I was anxious about how I could handle three boys, now I can't imagine life without you. Your brother's ADORE you. There is a fight about who can wake you up each morning. And today, there was an argument over who got to hold you as we sang Happy Birthday to you. So, we got to sing to you twice while Jackson and Harrison held you individually for each song. You love being outside and eating leaves. And my day is not complete without holding you right before bed and having you look out your bedroom window. You complete our family and thinking of you warms my heart.

I love you,
Mama

Max is 1 - the pics

I know they are corny but every child needs to have cheesy pictures taken at some point. And once I got my mind focused on this, I would not let it go. I wanted cute 1 year pics and I had to have them done on your birthday. This is what they came up with and I think they capture you pretty darn well.

Happy Birthday my little Big Guy.

Jackson and Harrison phone message

Here is a message that Jackson and Harrison left me one morning while I was out running. I left before they woke up. Hope you can hear it and you think it is as cute as I do. Let's see if this works. It says it will only be up for 10 days, so let's hope someone out there hears it before it goes away. A special thanks for my great brother-in-law Jason for helping me with this.

Oh, and I did NOT have my wallet with me so they were very upset when I walked in the house empty handed!

Yvette's pics part II

nothing going on here, just getting ready to go back to work. hope all is well with you guys.

Yvette's pics part I

Sweet Yvette took these pics last time she was here. I love them and already have some framed on our wall. You will see more soon. Thanks Yvette!

BTW the perfect family picture is impossible now that we have 5 people. But we will keep trying.

bath in the sink

I have great memories of giving each of the boys a bath in the kitchen sink in our old house. I decided on a day Harrison and Jackson were watching Word Girl, I would do this with Max. I could take pictures and just enjoy the time with Max. I was wrong. There was no quiet time, no alone time with Max. As soon as Harrison walked into the kitchen for one of his endless snacks and saw what I was doing....it was all over. Both boys were naked behind me, climbing the sink, and all trying to get into the sink. Shaun was not home, so this was a bit of a challenge (as is all the things with three boys.) Oh well, this is the best I could do. I was so worried someone would slip off the counter, crush Max or get water everywhere. Yes, all of those did occur, no matter how much I tried to prevent it. But all survived!

July 3rd 2010

Our little neighborhood has the best July 4th celebration. There is a small parade and party afterwards. This is our third year going, but our first year not walking in the parade. We thought it would be just too hot for little Max. Life is wonderful right now. We have really enjoyed the last 4 weeks off from work together. It has been wonderful having Shaun home. He goes back to work this week. Boo Hoo. Max is 10 months old this week. Wow, time is flying by. Three boys is hard, loud, stressful, fun and crazy. I'm up for the challenge.

happy birthday to me

Help me with my list

Hum, my list. Vanna was kind enough to send me this idea. So what I need to do is to come up with 40 things I want to do the year I turn 40. I turn 40 in just 15 days. I like the idea of being accountable and having to do things I have always wanted. But, I need help. I want some of my items to be things that those I love (you who read this blog) can do with me or teach me. So, if you have something you can show me or an idea of something we can do together, send me an e-mail or comment here and I will add your idea to my list.

Here are a few things I'd like to put on my list of 40 things I want to do before I turn 41.

1. Buy flowers, not because someone is coming over, but just because.
2. Edit a picture with a real editing program like photoshop or elements.
3. Run a 5K.
4. Make a romantic dinner for Shaun and I, that includes dessert.
5. Spend the night in a hotel.
6. Go to a concert.
7. Attend or have a slumber party or spend the night at a friends house.
8. Get new PJs with a fun print on them.
9. Donate some of my clothes to the Battered Woman's Shelter.
10. Take a vacation (even to a local hotel) with my 4 boys.
11. Get cowboy boots from the boot whisper (Wimberly Texas).
12. Spend alone time with my mom at least once a month.
13. Take a family picture at least once per month.
14. Take a Zoomba class at the gym.
15. Take a spin class at the gym.
16. Attend at least 4 of my book club meetings over the next year.
17. Attempt to read all of the book club selections for the next year.


So, dear friends and family....help me add to my list.

max laughs

This should make you smile, it's a little blurry but fun none the less. And he is now crawling and 8 months old, but still getting up twice a night. Come on little man, let me get some sleep!

cheater post

I did this a few weeks ago with my dear friend Jenny. See her post here. We had a blast and I later found out that the same day, on the same street, in the one store we did not go into, Sandra Bullock and baby Louie were shopping. Ah, so close to a real star sighting. Those are pretty rare in San Antonio. I will update again soon. Thanks Jen for letting me cheat and use your post as my own today! love ya and I had a fantastic time. I cant believe I am next to turn 40.

Mama and her boys...Happy Mother's Day

Dear Harrison,
I love your cute dimples and the way you laugh. It brings me joy when you say, "again mama, again." You feel all your emotions completely. When you are happy you clap your hands, pump your fists and yell with excitement. When you are mad or sad you are full of tears, lots of yelling and often some kicking too. I love that if I'm not the one with you when you wake up or put you to bed, your first words of the day are, "where's mama?" and your last words of the day are, "Mama lay with me." Your passion inspires me.
Love, Mama

Sweet Jackson,
You are growing up too fast. You are now reading, it is truly incredible. You are such a good friend and kind. You love to help others and are a huge help around the house. I feel like you are really learning self control and trying hard to be your best. I love how now I hear your father and I in your words and actions (that can be good and bad.) You are warm and loving. Your face lights up when you see me, you hold my hand and aren't embarrassed if I kiss and hold you in front of your friends. You bring me such joy.
Love, your best girl (what he likes to call me)

Dearest Max,
You are the best thing to happen to us. I love how you are just starting to explore the world. You are getting really grabby and wanting to see all around you. This age is great though, you cant really crawl (though yesterday you did a little bit), but you are so happy to be on the floor. This means I don't have to worry yet about you getting into things. I'm sad that you are pretty much done with nursing but know you are just growing up. You wake up happy and go to sleep peaceful. I love putting you to bed and scratching your head and playing with your hair. Your brothers love you to pieces, in fact your first crawling was to get to Harrison. We cant wait to get to know your personality.
Lots of love, Mama

Harrison & Max 6 months

At the top is a picture Melody took of Harrison at 6 months old (it is one of my all time favorites). I had to get a duplicate with Max. Below are the two pics that Yvette was took. Do you think they look alike? Max is just getting cuter each day.

Harrison has bronchitis right now and Max is teething, so this mom is feeling very overwhelmed. Thank goodness I have Bunco to look forward to tomorrow night, a date night this weekend, and next week is my little birthday club's monthly dinner. I don't know what I do without my girlfriends.

Our 3 day weekend last week was fun. Jackson got to go to the battle of flowers parade. Harrison and Jackson went swimming on Friday and Sunday. On Saturday we went to the King William Fair for the parade and to eat a gordita and roasted corn (my favorites).

We have just about a month left of school and then we are off for the summer. I hope it is not as hot as last year, but even if it is, at least I wont be 9 months pregnant.

backyard bliss

boys, boys, boys

Looks like fun,huh? Depends on your view and who you are.

Max has been sick lately - he has a ear infection and a virus. We've been to the doctor 4 times in 9 days. But he is gonna be fine. This is Fiesta time of year but the rain has really put a damper on things. We are just doing the normal things, hanging out with friends, going to dinner and watching TV. Next week Jackson has taken a pledge to be TV free for the week, so we should see how that goes. The parents are supposed to be role models (but hey, I didn't sign the pledge, he did.)
The exciting thing is that my dear friend Yvette from high school is in town. She was to be here for 16 days. Her visit has been extended by 8 days due to the volcano situation. I am so happy. Old friends are super. Her mom lives only 3 blocks away, so we are able to visit a lot. Today it was cupcakes and the fiesta store. Last week she took pics of us - you will be so impressed when you see them. (The new family picture to the left is a preview.) I hope to see her much more before she leaves.
Tomorrow includes taking a friend lunch and my parents taking Jackson and Harrison to go see "How to tame your dragon" and to go see Jackson's art work which is on display at EZs. I could tell you about my week, but I need to go to bed as I'm sure Max will have me awake in a few hours.

Jackson turns 6!!

We had a great birthday for Jackson this year. Nothing like hot dogs, cake, a few kids, and all of your favorite people. I really enjoyed Jackson being 5. I was a little worried about 6. But, you know what, the past few weeks have been great.

My sweet Jackson, you just keep getting better and better. You see, he is a great big brother, packs his own lunch every day, wakes up happy, gets dressed without me asking and he has a super personality. His teacher said, "any first grade teacher would be lucky to have him."

I think we are pretty lucky to have him in our life.

I love my sweet 6 year old!