What I like to do on a snow day

So, we have children. 3 of them---2 of which are in school. Now, this is a hard thing to comprehend, but we must. As a parent, I want to shelter my kids from this angry, messed up, neurotic, demanding, judgemental, sometimes dangerous place we all call the world. America or not, this place can be scary at times. I feel like I need to keep my precious bundles of joy in a bubble. A bubble that only I and my husband can get in. This, is obviously impossible(I have tried numerous times, it just doesn't work).

With that said, as the kids grow and go off to school, I am amazed everyday at how much they really do take in on a daily basis. For example, back when Corby was in PRE-K(yes, I said pre-k, meaning he was 4!) he came home from school and over our normal dinner-time conversation, he look at us as serious as can be while we were eating our bread, rolls, biscuits...something of that sort, and said "Mom, these are CARBOHYDRATES". WHAT? HE WAS 4! Anyway, I do have a point...just not there yet.

This year Mr. man Ethan, has to take the TAKS test for the FIRST time ever. For those of you who aren't aware, the TAKS test is a statewide test that ALL kids starting in 3rd grade must pass to move along their journey in school. In other words, IT'S A BIG DEAL! My dad is a teacher so this is instilled into my brain how important this test is. Well, this test is in 3 weeks....

Apparently, in 3rd grade you start to write. You write a lot. The below is something Ethan wrote about what he likes to do on a snow day.

"What I like to do on a snow day is play outside, make a snowman, have a snowball fight and slide on my knees and get wet. What I also like to do on a snowday is throw my brother in the snow and laugh and run from him because he might do it to me but I don't want that to happen because I like pranking him. My favorite part to do on a snowday is have fun and slide on my back and knees. When I don't want to play in the snow anymore, I will go inside and drink hot chocolate and watch a movie."

I think it's priceless that even when at school and in classes 2 hallways apart, the boys still think of the fun times they have together. Truely priceless:)

In the lap of luxury

Matt and I had a rough week last week with 2 sick kiddos(the last is sick now)so come Saturday night, when my folks offered to keep the kids we jumped, leaped really, at the opportunity for some alone-time.
We decided to spare no expense and live it up the way the rich folk do. We got a spectacular room at the Fairmont in downtown Dallas. We were on the 21st floor. The veiw from our room was amazing!!!



The bed was oh so comfy...

I love this lamp~I'm on a mission now to find a couple of my own.

The bathroom even had granite countertops.


Matt's favorite part-other than spending quality time in meaningful conversation with little ole' me...

Yes...the mini-bar. Needless to say, it was a bit more empty when we left.


And here I am after a nice relaxing evening night with the love of my life:)


Can't wait to do it again!

The Souix

The boys are on their first basketball team-together, which makes it easy for mom and dad, we don't have to be pulled in sperate places and can enjoy all the time with the boys. It's pretty awesome to see. They are brothers, so of course they fight, they fight A LOT. I understand this is part of parenting and part of life. But seeing them come together as part of a team at practices and at games each week is pure greatness.

Their team name is The Souix. They are the cutest kids on the team. I swore I would not be a competitive mom, just want the boys to have something to look forward to and work for during the week. I must admit, once the game started and our boys started dribbling, passing and running full speed ahead down the court, I became the competitive mom. We have a really good team. Won the first game 10-9. Check out the boys in action. Ethan is #6 and Corbin is #2. They are even black and orange-the color of mommies pepa's football team. What luck?!?!


Corbin jumpin' in mid air-

Look at him move-

I love this one, coach giving Corbin play by play instructions-


Now, I gotta be truthful, I can't wait til' next Saturday morning when they hoop it up again:)

The sparkle in his eye~

I hate to admit it but I have recently had a lesson in selfishness. What does this mean? This means that my wonderful hubby pointed out, that I too, have a selfish side. Here I sit in a comfy home with 4 of the people I love most in this world(the other 3 are in Tom Bean, Tx) and yet still somehow want more. See, here's the thing, our family is growing...and growing. We keep accumulating more stuff yet neglect to get rid of the old. I feel like this house is closing in on me. As nice and cozy as it is, we just need more space.

Enter selfish lesson #1...My brother has a beautiful, healthy little girl who unfortunately lives thousands of miles away in CT with her mom. Unlike TX, CT is insanely expensive. Let me put it this way, my salary in CT would be peanuts, but here, I manage to provide a pretty nice life for my kiddos. My brother is working day in and day out to be able to be in the same state as his duaghter, Nikki, let alone the same home-no matter how big or how small it may be. Even in a small, "closing in" house, I get to see and kiss my babies everyday. My brother hopes for that one call everyday that makes his heart skip a beat.



Brian, my brother, is planning to move to CT next month to be with Nikki! Enter selfish lesson #2... I am bummed about this. I am excited for him to be with her but at the same time I am sad he won't be just a drive away anymore. I will miss him imensely but I am sure that pails in comparison to how much he misses Nikki now. She is the sparkle in his eye and the light of his life.



Moral of my story...always be grateful for what you have, no matter how big or how small. Treasure everyday and kiss your kiddos every chance you get.

Them Boys Got Talent-

We got the boys each new skateboards for Christmas. Tony Hawk, I might add-only the best for our boys. Anyway, imagine our surprise(mine really, Matt has faith)when we look outside and see them boys doing their thing. Now, keep in mind Ethan is 8- and apparently found it cool to give his mommy a flippin' heart attack.



Moving on down the chain of adventure, we come to Mr. Corbin who is 7 and not only tried his wheels on the skateboard but he has master doin' "wheelies" on the scooter as well.


In a nutshell, having kids period is very nerve-racking, but give them limited wheels, whether it be 2 or 4, and triple the nerve-rackedness. At the same time, I treasure ALL these moments, whether my heart breaks, skips a beat, or just simply jumps for joy. They are growing up so fast but I am loving every minute:)
Now, here is a little girl who makes me dream big and reach for the stars...My angel and best friend-Tator Tot, AKA, Taya.

Thank you Matt, for everything you give and sacrifice for our happiness. I truly am a very blessed gal:)