So September has come and gone, and I have been a horrible blogger! Since my last post about our trip to San Antonio, my grandfather who lived there passed away. It was not unexpected, but that doesn't even make the whole process any easier. I went down for the Memorial service by myself a few weeks back. That was weird. No kids, no husband, no responsibilities. Adam worked from home for a few days so I could go. I ended up getting a really horrible stomach virus while I was there, but I was better by the time for the memorial, so that was what counted.

What else...what else...Christmas was wonderful. THe kids were so very excited about Santa this year, Claire and Michael still talk about Christmastime. It really was a good one this year. I have some really fun pictures, but I'm just not in the Christmas posting mood right now. Maybe in a few months...

So this week Adam is working at the Nissan HQ doing some training so it's a extra long couple of days for us. On weeks like this, I need projects to keep me accountable, and to help me be productive. Here is what I've been working on. It's our upstairs bathroom. It has been halfway decorated for a few years now, so with some Christmas money, I picked up a few things at Hob Lob and finished it up yesterday. It's nothing spectacular, but it feels finished now...except for the shower curtain, and some embroidering on my towels.

Also, last night I put up an Uppercase Living clock that I won off a friends blog. She sells it, and was doing a giveaway. I never win anything, so I'm pretty excited. I really love it. It's too low, but that's my fault...I'm not exactly a precise decorator. You should see all the holes in the wall behind the black shelves in the bathroom. BAD. I don't really believe in measuring tapes...Adam can't stand it.

So anyway, the clock looks great in the bonus room. This room needs some help anyway, but I don't think there's any hope for it. Too much junk, not enough closet space.

THE GREAT SNOWFALL OF 2010!!! Schools were closed...the day before this!
We sledded??? down the driveway. It has a slight incline, it was almost like real sledding.
Really, all they wanted to do was eat the snow.

The weather last week was really mild, so we enjoyed the deck.
And the swingset

So far, it's been a crazy January, but I expect Feb to slow down. We are in the middle of a study in James, with some of the 'married with kids' and younger married couples at church. I'm teaching the first and second graders, Adam's off this quarter. The kids are crazy. They love each other so much. I remember people always telling me 'just wait till they're a little older and they can play together and be friends'...well, we're there. And it's wonderful. They don't know what to do without each other. Claire is really enjoying school, and Michael would love to stay there with her. Through most of the school day, Claire goes into the older kids room, to do activities with them. Yeah, that's a proud mom bragging on her smart daughter...indulge me =) She has made some good friends at school, and talks about all the 5-year olds, like they are the coolest ever. It's hilariuos. Michael is a stinker. And he knows it. He'll be TWO YEARS OLD in March. Unbelievable. My boy is a daddy's boy all the way. THere is noone in the world that holds a candle to his daddy in his eyes. It's wonderful. Ok, maybe if I can keep posting my next one won't be forever long. =)

The Riverwalk
If you've never been to San Antonio, it's a great place to visit...fun, fun, fun. These were some of the sights from the boat ride we went on going down the river. This was my 4th (maybe) time to do the boat ride, but it's enjoyable every time!

The Kiddie Park
This park is just the right size for the kids. Claire was pretty bored with most of the rides, actually, but it was still fun. Weird thing is is that they had to close down a few months ago because a child was thrown from a little rollercoaster. Now huge "UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT" signs are hanging everywhere and the rollercoaster is dismantled!

Bath Time With the Giant Duck
At my Anut Sharon and Uncle Jim's house. If you ask Claire what her favorite part of Texas vacation was, she'll tell you it was bath time with the duckie...and thanks to Sharon and Pawpaw for singing the rubber duckie song. (Hi Sharon ;))!!!!

Enchanted Rock
Wonderful wonderful wonderful! What an enjoyable day!
Heading up. We went all the way to the top of that rock!!!

Ready to toss M over the edge!

Adam found Michael's favorite thing to do...

The two bravest ones of the bunch, me and Pa!

We ran into some long time friends coming down the rock. They were heading up, and we were finishing. It's a small small world, huh!

The Real Reason We Went
My dad's dad (Grandpa) is 94 years young. He thoroughly enjoyed watching the kids play at his feet. He lives with my dad's sister and her husband. He still reads the paper every morning, with his breakfast, and is always interested in what the interest rates are doing =).

This was Adam's parents first time to San Antonio, we enjoyed all the time we got to spend with them. My dad came also, so the kiddo's had plenty of grandparents to play with on this trip.

They're so BIG! Michael is 18 months old. Into EVERYTHING. Climbing on everything. Saying everything. Last night at supper, Adam said, "Who wants to say the prayer?" Michael said "I do." "Dear God" and then he looked at Adam with the most proud, happy, sweet face you've ever seen. I'm so thankful for such wonderful, happy healthy children.

Claire is 3 1/2. This girl is her mommy made over. Seriously, we look alike, act alike and enjoy most of the same things. She LOVES to "craft" (that can be cutting and glueing paper, making cards-she suggests that we make cards for people on her own-or stamping). She will help me clean anything, fold towels, and could spend a whole day exploring the outdoors, just like me. And if you ask Adam, she can be a bit moody at times...just like me.

Michael watching Cars, us enjoying that he's using the headphones.

Ever since the day he was born, people told me that he looks like a "little man" . I agree!

I didn't know it was wet out this morning, so we just enjoyed suckers while sitting in some chairs instead of the driveway. Of course, they can't both take a decent picture at the same time!

I tried to get a good smile, but this is what we get. A forced smile. Just like her dad, she can't pose for a picture!

Serious about her sucker!

Of course he can't just sit on his bottom! This kid scares me to death.

So big. So sweet.

Life is good, huh.

I love calm mornings. Today is one of those days. Kids still in bed, nothing on the agenda that we have to do today.

Monday and Tuesday I am keeping Makena (Kena as Michael calls her), who is a 11 week old baby girl of one of my good friends. I actually went to high school with her, we were not best of friends, but very good friends at the time. Neither of us were Christians or even went to church back then. She and her husband are both members of the congregation we worship at now. Such a small world. It's so fun to reconnect with someone like that. ANYWAY! I get so sidetracked. Sorry.

So Mondays and Tuesdays, Makena gets here at 7:15. Michael usually gets up at 7:30, then I have to wake Claire up by 8 for Mother's Day out at 9 on Tuesdays. It's not fun packing those three in the back of the car. But it's doable. Makena is a perfect baby. She's here for about 9 total hours during the day and sleeps about 6 of them. Still, it's so hard to be tied down that much. I love to get out and go, and it's just impossible to do that enjoyablly with 3 this little. I know, I know, people do it, I'm just not used to it. We did try story time at Barnes and Noble on Monday morning with all three of them. It went "okay" Claire loved it, so I guess we'll try it again, and it's free. ANything free is fun, right.

So anyway, today we're going to go to the Discovery Center (maybe) and have a picnic (maybe) then I am going to scrapbook while the kids nap (maybe). I am just thankful the flexibility of today. Although, being tied to the house has definately improved on my chores. Everything is done...laundry and dishes are caught up, and the fridge is fairly well stocked. So only fun stuff today.

Thursday night, we have a double header at the softball fields...if there is no rain that is. We've been rained out the past two weeks. It's going to be January before we finish, at this rate.

Also, Thursday, my sister is scheduled to have her baby. She's breach, so she has to have a csection. She had two natural births already, so this kind of stinks. But in the big picture, it's not so bad. As long as there's a healthy little Molly to hold.

I am learning to enjoy coffee. Not so much the coffee itself, but the wonderful effects of caffeine. I have a problem, though. I don't know anything about it, and I have never made it, so for now, I just grab the free stuff at Kroger while I'm doing my shopping, or pay $1.81 for a cup at Starbucks. I don't like it from Starbucks, though. It's too bitter. Any suggestions?

So...have a fun rest of the week. And a relaxing day!

Is it just me. or is there a lack of thankfulness/gratitude for what we have? So many have a great life, but choose to focus on what they don't have instead of what they do have.

When you woke up this morning, did you think about the blessings in your life...or what all you wish you could have and don't and wonder how you can get it?

Have a husband who loves you? Be Thankful
Have healthy children? Be Thankful
Have a home and a job? Be Thankful
Have children who love God? Be Thankful
Have clothes to wear? Be Thankful
Have Jesus as your Savior? Be Thankful
Have friends that are Christians? Be Thankful
Have a hope of heaven? Be Thankful

Bottom line...As importannt as it is to strive for a good life, it is also important to recognize when we have it good, and give thanks to God for it




I know I woke up this morning complaining about things. This kind of turned my day around. Hope it does the same for you =)