back to Life...back to Reality...


The first week of school is coming to a close and we all survived.  This has been a summer of really big changes and I think that we were all ready to slip into some kind of normal again.

We really like the school system that we are zoned for....Wylie ISD.  The boys both go to different schools, which is interesting.  Carter goes to Wylie Elementary, which houses grades K-2, and Dawson goes to Wylie Intermediate, which houses grades 3-5.  Both of them seem to really like their schools and, surprisingly, the independence of being on different campuses.  There are no uniforms required at the schools which the boys LOVE, but I oddly miss.  They also both have lockers.  This seems to be the thing that makes going to school an over-the-top experience!

Carter's teacher is Mrs. McGuire.  She seems really sweet and full of energy.  She appears to be a good fit for our "all boy" and sometimes mischievous Carter-man. I am looking forward to getting to know her more and getting involved with the school.  He has already made a good friend, Conner, who sits next to him.  

The big news for Dawson this year is that he changes classes.  He has 3 teachers.  Mrs. Trumble (seen above) is his homeroom teacher and teaches Language Arts.  He also has Mrs. McMillan for math and Mrs. Howdeshell for science and social studies.  He loves his teachers and, frankly, so do I.  He comes home with a smile on his face everyday.  He is making good friends and seems completely at home.  I love the "big kid" atmosphere at his school.  It's going to make the transition to Jr. High much easier next year.

I was reminded this morning as I dropped them off, for their first Friday at school, just how important football really is to our Texas countrymen.  It was a sea of school shirts and cheerleading outfits.  Even the teachers and Moms were decked out.  They are not playing around here!  I see many purple t-shirts and paw-print tattoos in our future. 

Go Wylie Bulldogs!!

turning 10...

Dawson just had his 10th birthday...yes, I said 10!  Believe me, no one is more astonished than I am!  So many things changed on that August day 10 years ago...a child was born, a mother was born and a family was begun.  This feels like such a monumental moment as I look around the bend and see the man, that  my child will be, standing before me.  What an amazing gift to be a mother...to birth these children into the world and watch them grow.

Dawson...10 years of loving you, laughing with you, teaching you, watching you grow (and growing myself), being in awe of you...Precious boy...Happy Birthday!!

Just a little side note:  We did not buy Dawson this DSi for his birthday.  He saved up $100 for a whole year, because he wanted one.  Both sets of grandparents gave him a combined $70 for his birthday, so he was able to purchase it on his actual birthday.  He has been so proud of how he saved and waited.  That DSi means more to him because he worked hard for it...Dave Ramsey would be proud!

my little Girl turns 4...

Genevieve just had her 4th birthday.  What a day that was!  I did learn a valuable lesson though...don't make kids wait until the afternoon to open their presents!  It's just unnecessary torture!

Everything was "Strawberry Shortcake" themed this year.  And, in keeping with tradition, I made her birthday cake.

There were many presents...

Blowing out of candles...

And much celebrating...

I just cannot believe that I have come to her last year of staying home.  Next year it will be back-to-school clothes, backpacks, lunch boxes and meeting teachers.  She is very excited about all of those things.  But for one more year, she is mine and mine alone.  And I am going to absolutely cherish every moment of her being just my baby.

nostalgic Subs...

The kids and I recreated their favorite Firehouse Subs sandwich for lunch today.  We were doing that because it is a place that we really love to eat; but, sadly, Abilene does not have one.  This made us nostalgic for Florida and spawned an interesting conversation. 


I asked them:  "What is the one thing you miss most about Florida?"
Dawson:  "beautiful water when we go to church"
Carter:  "our house...my friends...everything"
Genevieve:  "Grandmommy"


Then I asked them:  "What is the one thing that you like most about Texas?"
Dawson:  "really nice people"
Carter:  "that we almost have everything unpacked"
Genevieve:  "our house"


There are things, places and people who leave an imprint on our lives everywhere we go.  That is what makes up the unique quilt of our existence.  It is interesting to watch the children as their lives are sewn together...noting who and what is making a difference.

i guess it's Official...

I was at the gas station several weeks ago.  I slipped my  credit card in and out quickly and then entered my billing zip code.   But, unlike previous times it didn't immediately accept my card, it rejected it.  I stood for a split second puzzled by the problem.  And then it hit me...I had entered my Florida zip code.  I tried again...this time entering my Texas zip code.  Of course, it went right through.

There standing at the gas pump, I thought, "Well...I guess it's official.  I am a Texan."  Tears welled up in my eyes and a pang for "home" went through me.  I was struck by the thought of how a person can be surrounded by people and be so completely alone.  Just as the despair  was about to overwhelm me, a warm Texas breeze blew across my face and my eyes looked across the sky that doesn't seem to have an end... a feeling of pure joy came over me.

I love living here.  I love the heat... the wind... the sky... the foothills that you see as you come over the hill by our home.  I love the comfortable and easy kindness of the people here.  I feel like I understand now what all of the fuss is about.  I guess it's official...I am a Texan.