Another birthday and the winner

Today is my mom's birthday. I'll not announce her age on this ole blog.

My mom is such an awesome person! Along with Lance and my dad, she is my biggest cheerleader. She is an encourager and great advice giver (even if I don't always follow it, I always listen and take it under advisement)

I'm thankful for all the help she has given me when I've had sick kiddos. She is extremely talented at all things homemaking -- cooking, sewing, decorating! I got my love of homes from her --- just wish I would have gotten the cooking and sewing!!!

My mom is loyal and has sacrificed so much for her family. She has nursed all of us thru surgeries, illness, and hard times.

One time in particular that will always stay with me is when N was only 4 months old. N had a TERRIBLE stomach virus which then Lance got as well. I was running back and forth trying to take care of them both, and trying to work and of course N is getting first shot. My mom came to stay with us and risk getting this terrible virus herself. She stayed up all hours with me caring for these guys. On the last day, she fell into bed at 4pm with her blue jeans on and slept until the next morning. That is tired!

I'm so thankful for my mom. She has made my life better.

Happy Birthday Mom - I love you!

And the winner of the drawing contest.... it's Lacey
Lacey, I'll bring your gift card to the luncheon tomorrow! Congrats!

Can you name this guy? and HB SIL

This is a picture that N drew at school this week. I thought it looked really good and I could immediately tell who it was even though it's not labeled and he didn't tell me who it was. He scoffed at me and said, "I did that in about 10 seconds, I wasn't even trying."

This kid has an artistic touch. I think he's good. 'Course he is my child, so I may be a little biased. Or ALOT.

So, can you name who this drawing is of? I'm sorry for the poor quality - it was drawn on construction paper and I scanned it in.

Everyone who comments and gives the correct answer will be entered to win a $10 gift card. You have until noon on Thursday (2/19) to comment.


Today is my sister-in-law's birthday. She is 30-something today. As we would say in my family, she is in her young 30's!

M --- mother of 4
I --- incredible seamstress
N --- nine plus years being married to my brother
D --- decorator of cakes
Y --- young

Happy Birthday Mindy! Hope it's a great day for you!

And the winner is.....

Thanks to all of you who commented. My top three commenters were: Becky, Jennifer G, and Lacey - thanks ladies!

The whole reason I did this little contest was to find out who was reading my blog. I hope you will continue to read and comment when you either like something you've read or you can identify it - I don't expect a comment on every post!!! :)

And now to the winner....


My friend and co-worker, Jennifer. Go on over to her blog and congratulate her!

Jennifer is a great friend in my life and I'm so fortunate to be able to work with her each day! We have lots of things in common and the things we don't, we enjoy learning from each other!

Thanks for playing, ya'll!

Day #7 - The fam is home!

My family came home yesterday and I was so glad to see them!!!

We had a wonderful day yesterday and I didn't make it to my blog. Today has been another good day and between a baby shower and friends being over, I'm just now getting to my blog today. So.....this will be the last post to comment on and you have until noon on Monday to post. I will do the drawing then and post tomorrow afternoon on who will win the gas card.

Some of you have shown yourselves and commented and I appreciate that. Some of you continue to stalk and that's okay too - some of you have told me personally and that will have to be good enough!

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Day #5

Today is Day #5 of my contest - we're almost done peeps! See Monday's post for details.


This has been a great week! I've accomplished LOTS around my house that would have taken me months to do with the fam here. I've watched some "chick flicks" and enjoyed time with friends. It's been relaxing, in a productive sort of way!

But....I'm very anxious for my family to get home. I talked to Lance last night and told him "no dallying around, get that car home fast!" I'm glad I had this week to myself, but it may be several years before I do this again - we'll have to see!

Lance called from Super Summer to talk to the kids Weds morning and according to my mom, L said, "I talked to my daddy and now bubba is talking to his daddy and we have the same daddy" - pretty profound from a 3 y.o. She also said, "Daddy's coming to take us to Momma" - like Daddy is nothing more than the chauffeur!!! :)

Tonight is Michael W. Smith and I'm very excited - I love his music and concerts are not something I'm able to do much when hanging out with the 8pm bedtime crowd!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!!

Day #4 and Happy Anniversary!

Today is day #4 of my contest - see Monday's post for more details!

Today is the 9th anniversary of my brother, Paul and his wife, Mindy. Hard to believe it's been that long ago! They had a beautiful wedding which Lance was fortunate to officiate. In 9 years, they've lived in several apartments and built a house together, they have 4 beautiful children. Hope it's a good day for you both!

I got a little derailed on my projects last night - I began some painting projects! Don't worry Lance, I didn't start painting a room or anything! I primed a metal floor lamp that was my grandma's. I'm going to paint it and use a shade from a lamp the kids broke a couple of weeks ago. I think it will work well in our guest room. I'm also working on creating a contemporary, abstract art piece - we'll see how it comes out! And, to round off the painting, I touched up all the scuff marks, etc on our walls. So, tonight, back to our room and closet - hopefully, I will finish these and be ready to play and do laundry when the family returns!

Day #3 of Fill 'Er Up

Today is Day #3 of my contest. See my post from Monday for the details. Just a reminder, you get another chance to win for every comment you make. So, if you only comment one day, you only get one chance to win!

I finally put a counter and a live feed on my blog and it was interesting to see yesterday that I either have readers from the northeast or else they accidently stumbled onto my blog - which we all know is very easy to do. This blog thing is highly addictive!

This is the week Lance is gone to Super Summer and the kids are staying with their grandparents. I'm home alone! Monday night I was able to clean both of my kiddos' rooms from top to bottom, including closets - they look great! I was able to clean out broken toys, clothes that don't fit anymore, etc - I love the feeling!

Last night, was my Bunco group. We were in the country last night and it was nice. I'm a city gal, through and through, but I have to admit, the sunset was gorgeous, the air was cooler, and I love the sounds at night in the country.

Tonight, my plans are to tackle our room and closet but with strict orders not to touch Lance's stuff. See he doesn't like it when I throw his stuff away. I'm a purger, he's a hoarder - it can be a dangerous combination at times!!

Thursday night, I'll work on the kitchen and then try to dust and vacuum the entire house.

Friday night will be a fun night. One of my Bunco pals, Emily, invited me to go to a Michael W. Smith concert with her in Houston. She said it's free, so I'm in! If any of you gals in the College Station/Houston area are interested in going with us, you are definitely invited, just let me know!

I miss my family, but I'm enjoying the time I have and trying to make the most of it. I want to be ready to play and love on them when they get home!

Day #2 of Bloggy Contest and another HB!

Today is day #2 of my contest designed to "flush" out some of you stalkers. See yesterday's post for details of my $50 gas card giveaway!

So far, I've gotten 2 extra people who have never commented before, but I know there are others (because you tell me in person!!!) So, come on people, increase your chances of winning by leaving a simple comment.

Today's regularly scheduled blog is dedicated to my oldest niece, Taylor. She is turning 13 today - awesome! I still remember the phone call telling us she had been born -Lance was at youth camp (imagine that!) and we were excited to know that Jordan would have a little sister!

This is Taylor, her older brother Jordan, and my kids N and L - this picture was taken last year at our adoption agency's annual spring picnic.




Taylor is a good "big" cousin to my kiddos - she reads to them and plays with them and only gets slightly annoyed with them sometimes. Hey, she is 13 after all!

Tay-Tay, we love you! Have a great day!

Quirky, Quirky! and Fill 'Er Up! and Happy Birthday!

This post is chock-full of information!!! So read on, people, read on!

I've been tagged by my friend, Kathryn to name 6 quirky things about myself.

Wow, this will require a bit of thinking!

1) I love, no obsess, over a clean house. If I was fabulously rich, I would have a maid, ala "Alice" from the Brady Bunch who lived with us and wiped toothpaste out of the sink after every brushing...

2) I have to have a straw when drinking from a restaurant cup. I can't put my lips on their cups

3) I'm early or on-time everywhere I go. I loathe being late! Sometimes while at Baylor, if I knew I was going to be late, I just wouldn't go to class.

4) I don't believe in call waiting. If you call while I'm on the phone to someone else, I won't answer the phone.

5) I don't know how to text. Yes.really.I know it's 2008, but I don't know how.

6) I also don't know how to upload pictures from my digital camera. That's why you don't see many pics on my blog. I have to wait for Lance to do it!

There you have it....6 quirky things..now, on to my bloggy giveaway!!!

Since I know I have some blog stalkers out there, I'm having a contest to see if you will show yourselves!!! Oh yes, people, I'm going to give away a $50 gas card. So while it won't probably fill up your tank, maybe it will buy you a gallon or two. Here's how it goes....

I'm going to post one post everyday for the next 7 days. You can make up to one comment a day for a total of up to 7 entries per person. I will put your name in the "hat" as many times as you comment this week and draw from those who comment.

So, all you lurkers, here's your chance!!! If you don't have a blogger ID, just put your name in the body of your comment. Once I draw the winner, I will ask you to email me with your mailing address, if I don't already have it!!!

And finally today, Happy Birthday to my nephew, Ollie. Ollie is 3 today and is quite the little ham. I think he's trying to give N a run for his money! Ollie loves cars and trucks and especially jeeps. He has 3 sisters and is definitely trying to keep the testorone level high in his house! HB Ollie!