My Funny Girl

I just had to post this pic. Grace loves putting on my glasses, and she looks soooooo funny:)

Twilight

Friday night was the big night of FUN!!!! My friends and I went out to dinner and then stood in line for half an hour or more to watch the long awaited movie Twilight. We had a great time hanging out together. One of my friends had on an I Love Edward shirt. The rest of us were too timid to wear one, so I was glad at least one of us wore one. To be honest, I was a little disappointed in the film. It was extremely low-budget, and you could tell. The makeup job was also awful. But I loved the film just the same, just because of what it was:) I cannot wait to see it again, and to see the next one.

$1.55 a gallon

Can you believe that? Sean paid that yesterday. WooHoo

Sean's Holiday Party

Sean's company just had its big holiday party this past Saturday. It was a lot of fun!! Sean hurt his back earlier in the week and that prevented him from being able to walk very well, so we didn't get any dancing in on the dancefloor, but we still had lots of fun none-the-less.
We got there at 6:30 for drinks and appetizers. His company gave everyone 4 drink tickets, which were used by everyone, except us I think, to get alcaholic drinks. Thank goodness they had a few sodas, so we had something to drink:) But that alone cost the company tons of money. Then we had the nicest buffet meal!! The mashed potatos were my favorite I would have to say. They were literally silky tasting. I have no idea how they got them that way, but they were delicious. After dinner, they had a "casino night" where they gave each guest there $2000 in Booz Allen bucks to go and play with. Sean and I don't gamble, so we thought our boys would have fun playing with this "money", so we brought it home for them. Their door prizes were all great, too bad we didn't win any! They gave away gift cards to Starbucks, Olive Garden, Best Buy, $50 to the movie theater, $200 to a spa, a 37-inch TV, and a couple other things. I am hoping next year to score something:)
Anyway, it was a fancy night, so I did my best to fancy myself up. I love seeing people all dressed up and it was a lot of fun to meet Sean's co-workers!

Thank You Power

We read this book last month for our book club. It is such a good book! I recommend it to anyone who wants to be uplifted. It is about being grateful for what we have and are given in this life. It was so encouraging to me. When you read this book, you are reminded that there are lots of people out there who remain positive and uplifting even when things don't always go their way. It was a great book for me to read. It made me concious of all the good things people do for me and for others on a daily basis.

OOOPPS!

So I love music! I can listen to it all day long. I can appreciate just about any kind of music as well, so that helps my reputoire(sp?) be diversified. Anyway, I just turned on my blog to listen to the music while I was doing something else, and realized something I think is hilarious. I added a few new songs to my playlist the other day. They are current songs, and songs I love hearing on the radio! Much to my funny suprise, the second song on my playlist has a bad word in it at the beginning of it:) I never knew that cause they can't play that word on the radio. So please excuse the language of taht song:) If you get offended by that stuff, just skip that song.

I Feel My Kid's Pain

Yesterday I had my annual exam, and while I was there I got my flu shot as well as a tetanus shot. MAN!! Now I know how my kids feel when they get theirs. I was pleasantly suprised to not even feel the needles go into my arm, but once they pumped in the vaccination, my arm hurt. It hurt all day yesterday and still hurts pretty bad today! Now I need to make sure and be careful when my kids get their shots to not touch them in the general vacinity of their shot:)

Simple Pleasures

Tonight Matthew and I went on a date. We like to take our kids on dates ideally once or twice a week, but realistically we haven't done that even in a month's time. But I told my boys last week they could each go on a date with me this week. They get to choose where we go and what we do. Matthew just wanted to go to the store and walk around and then he finally decided on a sling-shot air plane(99cents) and a horse ride outside the store(50cents). So all in all, our date cost a whopping $1.50, but the smile on his face was priceless! I really felt something swelling in my chest as I looked over at him and he was so happy just doing what he wanted to do and doing it with me. Gotta love those simple pleasures we get in life!

1st Family Camping Trip

This past weekend we went camping for my birthday. This was the first time we have gone as a whole family. Sean has taken the boys before and they have camped many times in the backyard, but this was Grace's first time and our first time as a family. This was also my first time since I was 14 or 15.
I was happily suprised by how much I enjoyed it!! It was sooo nice to spend time with the kids without all their toys and the tv and the phone and the computer and the...
Now of course I forgot the camera, so I don't have any happy moments to post, but we will bring it next time. The only down side to going was that it got freezing cold that night and luckily we camped close to our house so that at 12:30am Sean could take a frozen Matthew adn Grace back home to sleep in their warm beds. We are fortunate to have weather that allows us to be able to camp basically all year. Right now the temps are still in the upper 70's and lower 80's during the day and in the 60's at night(except that one night we went and it got down to 41).

AirFest 2008

This past weekend we went to an air show at Lackland Air Force Base. It was really neat! It was free to the public with free parking, so we loved that. They were showcasing planes from the different branches of military and then a lot of stunt things going on. We were watching this one plane, I think Sean said it was an F-16. He was flying intensly fast and doing some awesome tricks. The only downside to it was that is was almost deafeningly loud! Grace was screaming, and I had both her ears covered as much as I could. Matthew was also crying because it was so loud to him as well. But I have to say, it was quite amazing. The announcer was explaining one of the tricks the pilot was doing and he said the plane was making a turn at 9G's. That is pretty intense!! We plan on going to this every year.

The Elections Are Over

FINALLY!!! We have elected a new President. I really don't enjoy politics all that much. It tends to bring out the worst in people, and that isn't my favorite side to see of others. I didn't vote becuase I never registered here locally after we moved a few months ago. To be honest, I am not sure who I would vote for. There are things with both the candidates that I liked and things I didn't really like. I think with either person as President, there would be change, which in my opinion, is a good thing for this country right now. I just hope and pray that President Obama does what is in the this country's best interest, and I pray for his safety. I hope no crazy person does something awful! When someone is in a high-profile position, there are always people who are passionatley for and against them. There are also a few radicals out there, and I just hope no one does anything stupid.

Texas State 5A Marching Band Contest

Last night my husband and I went to the finals of the State Marching Contest. My husband had never seen anything of the sort, so I was excited to show him a part of my high school life. It was really fun being there with him. I actually haven't done anything with my clarinet since high school. Sean is always encouraging me to pick it up and to teach our kids and to even give lessons. I would love to do all that, I just haven't made myself do it yet. It was a HUGE part of my life back then, and I was really good and had a great time with it. I think last night helped to jumpstart my playing again:)

$1.93 a gallon

It keeps going down! I love it. But today I just heard how Exxon Mobile made record profits this last quarter. It is soooo irritating!!

Too Funny!

OK, I just had to post this. I was talking with a former classmate of mine on the phone and she was going to text me some info I needed for our class blog. She said to me "just text me your info and then I will get you what you need." See, the only problem with that is that I haven't ever texted someone. So I sheepishly told her that she could text me, but that I couldn't text her cause I didn't know how. She was very understanding and said she would email all the info. The very second I got off the phone, my 7 year old said "mom, I can teach you how to text." He ran out of the room and got his cell phone(no, not a real one that is activated, but one of our old ones we no longer use) He promptly opened it up and went into this long speal about how to text. I think it is tooooooo funny that he knows how to do this, especially when he hasn't ever done it for real.

Trunk or Treat

Last night was our ward trunk or treat. It was lots of fun. There was face painting, a cupcake walk, donut contest, wagon rides, and lots of fun. There was also a soup contest, thanks to me:). Oh, and lots of little ones in costumes(and some big ones too)

Pumpkin Picking

Tonight for Family Home Evening we went to a pumpkin patch in our community. It was not all that impressive, but it was worth the fun family time we had. My mom came and my grandparents came, that was the highlight. My family sure loves having my kids around:) Here are some pics that we took.

Time Out for Women

Today I attended a Time Out for women here in San Antonio. It was such a good experience! I was supposed to go with my mom, but she was unable to go, so I ended up going with a friend of mine. The purpose of these events is to have a day set aside just for women for us to have a good, uplifting day. I recommend this to any woman, and I plan on going every time I get a chance!

$2.05 a gallon

need I say more?

I can't stop talking about this...

Tonight when I filled up my van, I had to keep pumping to get $50 worth of gas into my van. I remember just a few months ago I cost me $75 or more to fill up my van. This is great. I hope it keeps going down! But that is a HUGE difference!

Peace Like a River

My bookclub just read Peace Like a River by Lief Enger. It wasn't really my style of book, but it is good enough to own. I actually only read 1/2 of it by our discussion time, but listening to the others talk about it made me want to finish the rest of it.

$2.28 a gallon

It keeps getting cheaper and cheaper. I love it! It is gone down well over a $1 in just a few months. I sure hope it stays down.

Proud Mama

We are a praying family. We say prayers as a family in the morning and at nights. We pray at all our meal times and then we pray individually morning and night. Grace always "participates", which usually consists of her hitting us on our head or running around while the rest of us is trying to be reverent and prayerful. Tonight as we said our family prayer, Grace had her arms folded and was chatting and chatting and chatting. She sure was having a good conversation with Heavenly Father! I had to catch it on film, so I had the boy do another "mock" prayer so she would think we were praying again, and I was able to get a pic:)

My Grandma Turns 84!

On the 17th of October my Grandmother turned 84 years old. She is such a neat lady! I have always been very close to my grandparents, I even lived with them for a while when I was young. They have been influential in my life, and I am grateful to be living by them now.
She had a small party at a local bakery in town. I just love how happy my grandparents are together:) And in the cake, if you look close enough, you can see a rather large opal ring my grandfather gave her for her birthday(opal is her birthstone).

$2.55 a gallon

That is what we are paying at the pump, what are y0u paying?

Matthew

Everyone else has put up a funny pic, so here is Matthew's...

Bad Hair Day

Old Benja"geeser"men

Benjamen wanted to make a funnyface like his daddy

Sean's diet and weight loss

Most people like to lose weight... but I have the simple solution...

just eat whatever you want...
and get fat! Did I mention that the Presidential Fitness Program doesn't work? I am a true American. :)

$2.66 a gallon

Can you believe it? I filled up my car last night at $2.89/gallon and thought I was scoring pretty good. But this morning on our way to church we passed a place for $2.66/gallon. I heard just yesterday too that they are expecting gas to keep dropping. How great!

Fisher House

Tonight Sean and I had the opportunity to go to one of the original Fisher Houses. The Fisher House is a non-profit organization that provides housing for family of military personnel who are injured and in the hospital. We were at Lackland Air Force Base right here in San Antonio, and this is where the program started. As of today, there are 38 houses across the United States, but this is the only one that does not charge the families to stay here. It runs strictly on volunteers. Sean's company is always looking for ways to serve and give to the community, so through his company, we were able to take part in serving dinner to these wonderful people and visit with them. There is a pic of some co-workers of Sean's, and the other picture is Virgil and Betty. We ate with them tonight. She is going through radiation therapy for breast cancer. They have been married for 50 years and have 6 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. They are a wonderful couple and were very grateful for our service tonight. What a wonderful place this is!

Benjamen's Progress Report

I met with Benjamen's teacher today. They are having the parent/teacher conferences since we just reached the first 6 weeks. It is definately a little different being in Texas than in Utah. In Utah I volunteered once a week for the whole school year as well as help with parties and such, but here there isn't anything for parents to do to help.
But it was nice sitting there listen to the teacher tell me how much she loves having Benjamen in her class. He is getting 100's across the board, except in his penmanship(an 85). I am not too worried. That isn't an academic thing or anything, and I know lots of people who have survived this world with bad handwriting(like me.) Anyway, he is reading just at a graduating 2nd grade level(so I guess that means 3rd grade level?). Anyway, she is recommending him for the gifted and talented program which he will be tested for in a few weeks. That will be exciting if he gets into that and he can have some extra work to keep his little mind busy. We are proud of him and how much he tries and works hard in school!

MY grandma and grandpa

Sean and Grace with Sparky the firedog

Benjamen and Sparky the firedog

Grace on the pony ride.

Boys on a pony ride

--little does Matthew know, he is about to be consumed by the devil horse: (love Sean)

Matthew on firetruck

Benjamen in the firemen garb

Benjamen inside the firetruck

Benjamen and our local grocery store mascot--HEBuddy

Sean and Grace and my grandma

National Night Out

Tonight was our National Night Out. It is a program that encourages awareness of public safety issues. It gives neighbors a chance to get out and meet each other and get to know each other. It also gives the opportunity for children to get to know their local first responders. In our small town we had the police department putting together identity kits(with fingerprinting and DNA sampling). The fire department (all volunteer) was there letting the kids put on the outfit and go through the fire trucks. Local businesses were out to get to know their townpeople. It was really nice. We had a decent turn out. I have attached some photos.

I am crafty:)

My mom owns a baby store here in their town. She just got back from a baby expo in Vegas and brought a cute hair clip back for Grace to try out. It is a simple pin-back hair clip with a magnet added to it(perfect to help keep it in Grace's fine hair) covered with a velvet-like ribbon with a bow on top. It suits Grace's needs perfectly becuase of the magnet, but also the velvety ribbon keeps it from hurting or pulling out her hair when she tugs on it. My mom's cost was $6.95, so she would have to sell it for like $14. I wouldn't pay even $7 for one, so I told her I would try and make some. They were less than .50 cents to make and turned out soooooo dang cute! I am attaching some pics. It is hard for you to see closely, but they are so adorable. Now mom can sell them for less, while making way more profit than if she bought from the other company. Plus, I make a little myself:)

My Gym

I started going to a gym when I moved here mid May. I have lost 10 pounds since then, and I feel great! This is the coolest place! It is so nice to have such a sophisticated gym in a rural community. We are in an old Alsation community where families have lived here for generations and come from thick Alsation/German roots. The place is called Iron Haus. They have a play room for the kids. I have attached some photos of that as well. It provides a rock wall for the kids, there are tons of toys and movies and other things for the kids to do. I usually go in the morning and I love how most of the other people there are older ladies(I am talking like in there 60's and 70's.) The thing that cracks me up every time is how a lot of these older ladies wear their lipstick and do their hair so they look fine while exercising:) It really is a great thing and I love what it is doing for me!