Would you move?

Don asked today if I wanted to move to London for 9 to 12 months so he could work for Save the Children Foundation through BCG. My reaction was, "YES!" He hesitated. He is worried about letting go of Alex's spot in his great new school and giving up my very flexible new job. He is also a Texan through and through...this is his dream home.
What do you guys think? Would you move?

Buy a Treadmill or Not?

I have seen and heard that many people who buy treadmills never use them. On the other hand, I have seen a few people who use them everyday. I am considering buying one so I can work out in the mornings before the kids get up.
What do you guys think?

Interview with a Mormon

FINALLY, an accurate public depiction of our beliefs! In the Religion section of the Houston Chronicle today there is a great Q & A about "Where the LDS church stands." The journalist asked some really good questions, and they were all answered honestly and simply by Michael Otterson, LDS Director of Public Affairs.

Check it out here:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/5173114.html

Home Room Mom

To be Home Room Mom or not to be Home Room Mom, that is the question. Three of us have volunteered to take the position. We all work, but have very flexible schedules and are glad to work together. We asked to have an introductory meeting with the teacher to get things organized, and this was her response:

I am sad to say that we are very busy right now and can't meet with you. If you ladies want to meet with each other that
is fine with me. Also, the monthly homeroom meetings will not be the same day every month. Flexibility and free time is the key to being a homeroom mom. Usually it ends up being a housewife, stay at home mom, etc.

Does that sound like a lady who wants help, or does it sound like a lady biting the hand that feeds her? I got news for her, no Stay at Home Moms signed up for the gig. If we don't do it, who the heck will?

I am debating whether or not I want to work with her. I don't want Alex to miss out, but from what I have seen, I am not sure his teacher and I would get along.

Mallomars

Have you tried these cookies? You should!!!

Unspoiled Optimism

Why is everyone so touched by this little girl? I think she is cute and all, but really, is she that good?
My theory is that all of us have a child inside somewhere. No matter how lofty our goals or how busy we are, we still want to be praised and loved simply because we are.
Connie is just doing what she loves. She has no thought of being told she isn't good enough.
Wouldn't it be great to be that optomistic again? Wouldn't it be great to just do what makes us happy?

Fighting for My Family

Before I went back to work, I was always fighting for time to be myself. I wanted to go out with friends, do my e-mail, get my toes done, finish my projects...you get the picture.
Now, I find I am fighting for time with my family. I am making decisions based on my family as a whole, and what will make us stronger.
I like this situation much better~

Dependable Nanny Wanted

So here is the deal...My Nanny (helper) is sick at least twice a month. Who gets sick that much? Really, she only works 2 days a week!!! Today was a hard morning because she called in sick with a rash?!!?! Cole had to miss school because I couldn't pick him up at noon, and I had to scramble to pack lunches and clothes and lovies for a different child care situation! I was so frustrated and grumpy that my kids were probably glad to get away from me for a few hours. Of course, then, I felt guilty for being so ugly to them. They had done nothing wrong.
So, if you know anyone who wants to be a Nanny a few days a week...give me a call!

Markers and Flesh Wounds

In the time it took me to make my last post, Randi drew on no less than 20 surfaces with a blue marker and Cole bit Randi's finger.
OH, the joy of having children...

She picked another dress

Thank goodness...

Real Simple Questions

1. Describe your most embarrassing fashion moment.
Prom my Senior, or was it Jr., year. My Mom and I made my dress. It was awful, black velvet and shiny gold!

2. How often do you weigh yourself?
About twice a month

3. What is your main source of news?
News, what news? If it is not on Noggin or Disney, I don't know about it. It took 3 days to find out about the tsunami last year.

4. Something that has been on my mind lately is....
My friend's impending wedding, and if I really want to be in it if I have to wear this dress with no bra.

5. Describe your high school yearbook photo.
Average

6. Name something that, once you stopped battling it, has made your life simpler.
My hair...it is what it is.

7. The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is....
How much money should I save vs. how many things on my "want" list should I buy?

New Job=Less Time to Blog

I'm back at work. I am really enjoying it. I like the reminder that I am good at more than just washing dishes, and the pay-check feels good too!
I work when the kids are in preschool and napping. I am at home with them the rest of the time. This flexible opportunity is what I have been hoping, praying and looking for for 5 years.
Like with every choice we make, there are trade offs. It is much more difficult to keep the dishes clean, to find time to cook and clean up, to work out, to blog or to hang out with friends, but these trade offs are working out well for me.
I am finally perfectly happy.

Fall

The Fall Season puts me in such a good mood! Lots of outside time, lots of family time and lots of football. I love the Fall!!!

Diaper Problem

Some mornings, this is what I walk in to when I get Randi up. She has stredded her diaper and thrown it out of the crib! These are not clean diapers people. YUCK! YUCK! YUCK!

In Her Father's Shoes

Astro's Game

For our Friday night date this week, Don and I used BCG's tickets for an Astro's game. Check out these seats. They are incredible!
The last game we attended, courtesy of BCG, was in a Suite. I like these seats better. In a Suite, I feel disconnected from the game. I might as well stay home and watch the game on my own couch.
I love the whole "Popcorn, Peanuts and Ice Cold Coke!" experience of being in the stands!
Sorry the pictures aren't better...all I had with me was my phone camera.

Cole's Comments on My Sickness

1.
Me: My nose is really runny.
Cole: I don't see any boogers coming out of your nose.

2.
Cole: Mom, if you have to throw up, just let me know. I will run and get you a bowl to put it in.

3.
Cole: Mom, if you throw up on your pillow, I will come and give you some of my drink. OK?

I've Got Whatever They Had

My kids brought home some kind of bug,sickness,from school. They are all over it, but now I have it.
Is it so sad that I have all the stuff to cook home-made chicken noodle soup but don't feel like doing it?
I look like I got punched in both eyes. The clients I have to visit today are going to think I am smoking crack.

Alex's First Note Home from School

9/11

It's been 6 years. It seems like it was last year.

I was listening to Good Morning America in my living room about to leave for work, when I heard Diane Sawyer say, "Oh, My G**!" There were reports of a plane hitting a tower. The news team speculated about how something of the sort could happen.
When the second plane hit, Diane repeated, "Oh, My G**! Oh, My G**!". After a few impromptu replays, the news team confirmed it was not small aircraft that had hit the towers, but full sized airliners.
I called my boss and told him what had happened. He said to come on in. They had a TV going in the office.
A few minutes after I walk through the door, the Pentagon was hit and the towers fell. The whole office was silent as we gathered around the TV in the lobby.
Then came the reports of all planes being grounded and another plane going down in a field. When was it going to stop?!?!?

What can one say about September 11th 2001? I wish it had never happened. I am sorry for those who lost loved ones. I hate the hate it sparked. I love the love it grew.

Really, there really are no appropriate words.

"My whole day is ruined!"

Today was Alex's first day of after-school robotics class.
The good part is that he LOVED the class! He was just beaming when I picked him up. The bad part is that the class ended at 5:30pm. By the time we got home, he had lost his mind.
He was crying over everything! His Lego's were not right, his brother couldn't do anything to please him (Cole tried so hard, poor thing), dinner (his favorite) wasn't any good...you get the idea.
I couldn't help but laugh. Though I tried hide my giggles, every time Alex looked at me, he cried even more and chanted, "My whole day is ruined! My whole day is ruined! My whole day is ruined!"
Come on...that's funny!
After dinner he said, "I don't think I should go to after school classes anymore. They make me too tired." To which I replied, "Let's try it one more time. If it doesn't workout, we can try again in the spring." "But it's going to be to long before we start again."
MY GOODNESS! Go to bed, Sweetheart!

Texas Pledge?

So I was caught off guard when I heard the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the "Texas Pledge" at Alex's school during the morning announcements.
I knew Texans were proud, but come on, your own pledge!?!?!

"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."

Apparently, the 80th Legislature recently passed HB1034 which amends the Pledge of Allegiance. Don't law makers have anything better do?

Crapper Catcher

Cole may loose his front tooth pretty soon. He has hit it so many times that it is turning gray. In an effort to prepare him, I showed him our "Tooth Fairy" box.
Cole: "That's a cool Crapper Catcher."
Mom: "A what?"
Cole: "It's a Crapper Catcher, Mom."

Where does he come up with this stuff?

Grateful Sunday

I am grateful for lots of new good things in my life!

1) I started a new job. It's Sales/Marketing, they pay me way too much, I work from 9ish to 3ish (with Fridays off), and I have lots of flexibility for kid responsibilities.

2) My children are in school. That means I am not all consumed, and the time I spend with them is way more fun.

3) It's LSU football season! GEAUX TIGERS!!!

4) My husband is home for an extra 1/2 day this week. Sounds silly, but the is a great bonus around here.

5) I don't feel fat, finally.