uh, uh, no you diint!

My day was going along just fine. Had my coffee and Kashi cereal for breakfast. Got myself, the kids and my parents to church in time for donuts, coffee (none for me, thanks), potty breaks and service with no meltdowns. Heard the greatness of Voddie Baucham, guest speaker. Got out of the building at a reasonable time and headed to lunch.

Here begins the foundation of my sad tale.

Mom wanted Luby's - line too long. Across the parking lot - Freebirds! It's been awhile since I've had me some yummy Freebirds. In college, my roommate was a manager at the one in Northgate, so needless to say...

Line was just as long at Freebirds, but, well, it's so worth it. As I wrestled with my order (side info: Since Easter, I've been very careful with my food choices - losin' weight and all - about 15 lbs worth!), I was torn between getting nothing but lettuce and some chicken and enjoying a decent burrito. I opted for the decent burrito. Initially I was going to get a 1/2 burrito but Shawn decided that I should spend 75 cents more and get a Freebird. He would finish the rest...or so he thought.

Aside from a few bites I shared with Asher, I downed that thing! Yum from beginning to end! And I didn't feel too guilty because I passed on sour cream and all, until...

I got home and looked up the nutritional info. I am reeling, profoundly shocked. Did you know that the bbq sauce on a Freebird is almost 200 calories and 11 grams of fat?? What the..???

So, as penance for eating a thousand-plus calorie burrito for lunch, I must write about it. Call it a public service announcement or something.

It just ain't right, but it's oh so good.

highlights

Nothing like my voice magnified and echoized.

Good stuff.

highlights from our week

A little swimmin' with our friends!

Asher's first time in a pool - it's ALL good.
I'm cold but momma is warmin' me up.
Bring on the sparkles, I'm a happy gal.
No pictures please. I'm not dressed yet.

the sweetest things...

It's a good stage right now. I love it. Avery is a funny, smart, sweet big sister. Asher is getting around on his own, fascinated by his big sister and curious about everything. They both have the greatest smiles. We love these kids!

summer reading

A friend asked me to list my top faves for summer reading. I'll share a few I think are worthy of checking out - you do the same!

1. Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty - I found this book delightful. A story of triplet sisters during their 33rd year. This is the first book by this author and I think she knocked it out of the park. If I were to ever write a book, this is what I would hope for.
*L, S, comical V*

2. Aunt Dimity Series by Nancy Atherton - A true "cozy" novel. Nothing profound, nothing "R" rated - just a good snack book. Lori, a thirtysomething mom to twin boys and wife of lawyer Bill, gets into trouble and finds adventure in small town Finch. Aunty Dimity is a...well, you'll have to read to find out. I have read most of them and really enjoy their simple, sweet small English town feel.

3. The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas - Not for the faint of heart. AMAZING! One of my all time favs. It is LONG but holds you until the very end. Told from the point of view of a Roman soldier at the crucifixition, we journey with him as he seeks to learn about this man called Jesus.

4. Any chick lit book from Kristin Billerbeck. She sets her stories in the Sillicon Valley. Single gals navigating through life, love and the occasional spa trip. Fun! Fun! Fun!

5. Lord Peter Wimsey series by Dorothy Sayers - my hands down favorite books. I love Lord Peter, I love the time period (20s and 30s) and I love the location (England). She is a smart writer, dripping with dry wit - that wonderful british humor. She was a contemporary of CS Lewis and one of the first women to attend Oxford. She has written both fiction and nonfiction. I have read all of the Wimsey series and always hope to stumble upon an undiscovered one.

I'll start there. Those at least have stuck with me. So often I read a book and never think about it again. And I'll have to be honest - I never make it through self-help books nor do I choose non-fiction too often.

Alright folks, start posting your faves!

*UPDATE* - Just finished The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Very very good! I had a good cry.

birhtday schmirthday

i'm still in that fuzzy wake up haze. my eyes are bleary, the zit on my chin hurts and i probably should get back in bed.

but here i am.

i've got a bit of a birthday hangover. i wish it were from cake, ice cream and receiving lots of presents. no, its from unmet expectations.

i hate expectations. they always seem to let you down.

not that my birthday was a bad day - it just wasn't the stuff that dreams are made of. a sick child, no luck shopping, needing to say, "i need some me time" but feeling guilty for even thinking it. losing my temper. of course, ALL of this spurred on by raging hormones from my good ol' aunt flo (i feel positively adolescent using that term!).

last night, as my day was coming to a close, i told shawn that i wanted to celebrate on another day, a happy simri day. no water weight, no expectations, no problem finding something to buy. he sweetly agreed that was a good idea.

i've got 364 days to make it happen.

there were some silver linings:

- Cheesecake Factory for lunch
- trying on Lucky Brand jeans in a size I haven't worn in many moons. How great to walk in to a store, have the young sales guy look you up and down and declare, "you're long and lean, so we'll try these jeans." He also mentioned my "Cute figure" (hey bud, i'm old enough enough to be your...aunt!) and brought me lots of skimpy tops and jeans with the price tag tucked neatly out of sight. I applied good ol' biblical wisdom and "guarded my heart". no matter how good i felt, i just can't bring myself to pay over a hundred bucks for any one piece of clothing. I think Shawn actually would have let me get them. Or maybe I was a victim of reverse psychology. Either way, i left empty handed but feeling good.
-Chocolate chip cookies and ice cream. For me, cake just doesn't cut it the way warm chocolate chip cookies and milk do.
-Avery sang "Happy Birthday" to me. That might seem simple but the girl has an aversion to that song. She bursts into tears when it's sung to her on her birthday. She hides her face at other birthdays when the song is begun. But for me, she sang proudly, loudly and with gestures!
-Being remembered by friends and family! Thank you!

So, in hindsight, it was a good day.

too cold

The excitement wore off quite fast after i moved the pool onto the porch and refilled it with fresh cold water. Sorry, kid, you got mom's super-fair, quick-to-fry skin. I promise, it'll be hot enough soon enough and you'll be glad for the shade.

salad perfection

this is greatness...

Romaine lettuce

grilled chicken

mandarin oranges

feta cheese

pecans

balsamic vinagrette

mmmmmmmm! so tasty! didn't even wait for the kids to go down for a nap to tear into this. (i like to eat in peace)

Egads!

I didn’t shop for a swimsuit last year. It was a glorious year. One that will go down in the annals of “I’m not so bad”. It’ll also forever live in the “Denial” file. Just because one doesn’t try on swimsuits in bad lighting does that mean the fat isn’t there? I mean, “if a tree falls in the forest?”…and all that.

Never mind that I was carrying 35 baby pounds (baby included) and people have pity on a swollen beached whale in a cute maternity suit. I think you actually earn points for forsaking your pride to enjoy a dip in the pool.

Never mind that I would be wearing that maternity suit all summer (baby not included). Sympathetic glances turn into questioning stares and then downright disgust. Hey, it’s not my fault the doc didn’t tell me not to eat for two.

Fast forward to now. Now - when the baby is old enough to wear his own suit and play in the water. I am proud to say all of the baby weight is gone. But, before you hate me because I’m one of those women (ah, to be one of those women!), let’s just say the tenant may be gone, but he left behind a mess.

Do we really need to continue this conversation? I mean, do I have to subject myself to the mental and emotional turmoil that even talking about a swimsuit evokes? As a matter of fact, let’s just call it a day. I’m beat, worn out from the walk down memory lane. And really, who needs to cool off in the wicked Texas heat?

My three year old, that’s who.

Her ambitious summer plans include a trip to the beach. Not sure where the idea came from but daily I hear, “when we go to the beach…”. So, I guess we’re going to the beach. And I guess I’m finding a suit. A swimsuit. And I’ll join the ranks of women grumbling in their own private hell in their own private dressing room under the glare of cellu-light.

Now that’s a thought. You would think that if a store actually wants to sell its clothing, it would go out of its way to do the dressing rooms up right. No horrendous “accent” lighting – just a candle and a funhouse mirror. I bet the merchandise would be flying off the shelves.
Just make sure there’s a strict return policy. Or work out a deal with the sun. Tell him the moon would do just fine this year. Everything looks better in the moonlight.

mmmm...

Asher discovered the greatness of the straw sippy cup and apple juice. He drained that cup in no time. Have I mentioned the boy is passionate about all things food?

Seeing your kids day in and day out leads to not noticing how they are changing and then one day, you look at them and they look so different! That's how it's been with both of my kids. Avery is so tall! I look at her body and am amazed that all things baby are gone. She is witty and funny and a smartie pants and just a doll. Asher looks more and more like a big boy - I can't believe we are approaching 1! He's "talking" and moving and just being a cutie pie. He always has a smile for us and now does his best to look precious with a big ol smile and squinty eyes.

Funny little conversation between Avery and Shawn last night:

Avery: "Hey dad, bring that spanky hand over here!"

Shawn: "What?"

Avery: "That hand that spanks me - bring it over here and sit down with me."

2:33 PM

As I sit here sipping a strawberry banana smoothie, Rush Limbaugh is jawing on the radio, Avery is playing in her room and Asher is napping. The windows are open and I hear the sounds of construction all around. Two houses are being built to the left of us, one to the right and another behind us. Fortunately, none of them are immediately next to us. Still the noise is well, noisy.

Our internet has been out of service since midday Friday. I have not been on the computer since that point. Tough going. I see how attached I am to being plugged in to my world through a few strokes on my computer. We don't have cable so we get about 1 1/2 channels. That leads to not much tv watching. Being online keeps me connected. Being offline leaves me floundering. Not that i missed much.

The repairman rang the doorbell before 8 this morning. Glorious since we were quoted the standard "sometime between 8 and 12". Too bad for him that he was greeted by a pajamed, newly awake 30-something female. Turns out that when another AT&T work crew was trying to fix another problem, they put the lines back together wrong and we ended up with someone else's number ?? I guess it was an easy fix b/c we were back in the saddle in no time.

It's now 2:45 PM.

"f" or "p"?

I'm in the kitchen making dinner. Avery is watching Tom & Jerry. Asher is napping.

Avery: "Hey mom, I want Spiderman noodles with dinner!" Can't possibly peel her eyes away from the pseudo-violence playing out on the tv.

Me: "That's fine. We'll have it with the pork."

Avery, eyes still glued to the tv: "No, I want a spoon."

Me: "Huh? Oh, yeah, but we'll eat it with pork."

Avery: "MOM! I want to eat it with a spoon!"

Me, about to open my mouth with a "READ MY LIPS" but think better of it. Why bother? She'll eat the pork with a fork and the noodles with a spoon.

out of the mouth of babes

I headed to the shower after coming home from the GYM (remember that) this morning. Avery invited herself to join me. Upon taking my clothes off and entering the shower, she encouraged me with these few precious words:

"Mom, you have a lot of room back there."

Whaaat? "Are you talking about my bottom?"

"Yes."

Crap.

I should be paid to endure this verbal abuse. And why can't a girl get a shower alone?

what a sense of humor!

Life comes full circle in well, not much time.

A while back I wrote about transition in our lives. The whole out with the old, in with the new blah, blah.

Little did I know that old and new are cut from the same cloth.

Transition - The Jeff Berry band came to an end. Okay, no problem. I was excited - no more extensive travel! I did feel for Shawn not having the opportunity to play music any longer. But hey, he'll get over it and we'll be together...lots.

God's sense of humor - Billy Foote comes a'callin'. Can you say "on the road again"? Not to sound like the shunned other woman, I did give my blessing (which Shawn sought immediately - kudos, babe!). He's excited. I'm becoming excited. Billy has written some amazing worship songs. I look forward to meeting him and his wife Cindy.

And I'm confident God has my back. He's led me to pray that He would meet my needs. I know He will. He kinda has a way of being faithful, ya know? I try to remember that He's all for family and He'll make sure we're good.

So, back in the saddle again....AND, God has amazed us with how much work He's brought Shawn through The Whetstone. It's crazy busy. Shawn's been landing lots of jobs - now he needs to do the work!

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. Keep 'em comin'.

this is the day that the Lord hath made!

Ah, sweet moment of silent, self-indulgence, how I love you! Redhead with Gamma, little man asleep. Hubby at a meeting. I am sitting on the couch, computer in lap, diet coke in system. Does it get much better than this? Let me hear a "yeehaw" from the mommies!

Today is perfection:

- a good AM workout
- a trip to the playground with daddy
- naptime
- a visit to the library
- an afternoon stroll around the square. I LOVE downtown McKinney!
- peppermint ice cream at Herby's Old Fashion Soda Fountain for Avery, orange sherbet for Asher, cherry diet coke for me, Turtle torture for Gamma and a fried apple pie to go for Shawn
- Shawn stopping by the square to pick up his treat
- Avery staying with Gamma
- Asher napping right now

*smiles*

and you?

ever have one of those days...

when you've got nothing to write? Yeah, well I'm having one of those weeks. Last week I blamed it on pms and then the real deal. Now I don't have anyone or thing to blame. My mind feels like jello, i've had headaches for the past three days and none of me wants to work together. I'd form a picket line...if I felt like it.

I do need your help, though. Last month I sold two articles to local McKinney magazines. It was thrilling! Can I call myself a writer now? So, I've been trying to think of new article ideas and am (surprise, surprise) drawing a blank...lots of blanks. I'm trying to overcome my "one-hit wonder"itis. The editor has emailed asking if I have ideas for the May/June Issue of McKinney Woman mag. Yeah, you know the answer. So, HELP ME! What are articles of interest for women that I could tackle?

My eyes are crossing. It's 3:07 PM! What is up? I need a vacation.

Easter Finery

Hope your Easter was a blessed reminder of our HOPE!

playdate at our house today

with sweet Angie, Olivia, Henry, Grammy AND Mitzi, Mia and Abbey. Poor Chrys and Oliver, we missed you two!

in case you were wondering...

the smore's gang sign:

the british school boy look is so in.

while the cat is away...

this mouse and her little mice play.

Watching Sesame Street at Angie's. Asher hasn't quite discovered the greatness of Elmo. Have I mentioned he loves his momma? The girls really tore it up to a Michael Buble song. So much so that nothing was in focus and i figured pictures of their blurry backs wouldn't hold your interest - sure didn't hold mine.

Later that day, a project.

I will put this in print: I WILL NEVER PAINT WITH RED AGAIN!