Christmas Jammies

1st Piano Recital

Alex: Ode to Joy
Cole: Old McDonald

Well done boys. You are officially more musical than your Mother.

2008 Ginger Bread House

Reading to Randi's Class

Isn't this what it is all about?
It's hard to find time to do these little sweet things between my errands, cleaning and other responsibilities. Yet, every time I do, I get so much in return. I have no words to describe the big love these little people give.

Must Eat Snow and Make TIny Snowmen!

Snow in Houston?!?!

Yep, there are snow flurries here! It melts, of course, as soon as it hits the ground, but it is no less fun than if it were a blizzard! It doesn't take much for us Southerners, does it?

I love this picture.

Maw Maw Zou's Flight

When my Grandmother was young, she wanted to be a pilot, but her Father wouldn't allow it.
She headed off to business college, and never looked back, until now.


Maw Maw finally gets to fly.


Alex and I tagged along.


"Now, I've done it all!" -- Mable Combouzou

I am so proud of you, Maw Maw. You are my kind of woman!

Happy 3 years, Randi Belle!

So much about which to blog...

so little time.


BCG Christmas Party. Check my new outfit and my hot date.


Christmas Cards are ready to go out! Yea! Done!



My baby's first red fingernails...sniff, sniff.


I just love evenings like this.


My neighbor let me baby sit her two little angels. Aren't I lucky!?!?!

It's not perfect...

but, I love my life.
I look around at how much I have, how much love surrounds me, how much I have accomplished, how many dreams are still ahead and I am overcome with gratitude and humility.

Happy Birthday, Grammy!

We are so glad that Grammy game to visit. We had such a wonderful day together. We went to the Japanese Gardens, rode the Herman Park paddle boats, watched Madagascar II and had the kids and Grammy try Sushi for dinner. Though, Cole, Randi and Grammy will probably pass on the next sushi excursion, it was a fun experiment for all.





Can't wait to see you again!

Let's Go, Julianne!

Still, 2 on the 14th. Suck! I have been working out and everything. It's got to be muscles, right?!?!?!

I couldn't be more proud.

This is more than poltics.

My Vote Counted!

I voted this morning with Randi's professional assistance. She pressed "Enter" after I spun the wheel and choose my candidates, and, of course, she pressed the hallowed "Cast Vote" button.

With all the buzz, I figured I would get the kids involved in the election process on the way to school:

Mom: So, for whom would you guys like to vote? You can make up your own mind. Here is some information to help you decide. John McCain is a Republican. He believes in working hard and being rewarded for your labor. He believes everyone should be responsible for their own well being.
Kids: I like him! He believes we should work hard!
Mom: Wait...let me tell you about Barack Obama. Barack Obama is a Democrat. He believes everyone should be taken care of. Everyone should have help from the Government no matter the choices they make. He believes everyone should have the right to go to the Doctor and get money, even when they are not working hard.
Kids: OHHHHH, we really like him!
Alex: I am going to vote for Barack Obama.
Mom: OK. Can you tell me why?
Alex: Because everyone can be taken care of. Everyone can have food and not get sick.
Mom: That is really nice! Mommy must be too greedy. Hummm, let's think about it this way, too. Pretend I am the Government. I tell you it is good to share your toys with those who don't have any. OK?
Kids: OK. We like to share our toys.
Mom: Great! Which way would you rather share..."I, acting as the Democratic government, says you MUST share your favorite toy." or "I, acting as the Republican government, says you SHOULD share your toys, but you may choose which toy you want to share."
Alex: I like the Republicans.
Cole: I like them to tell me which toy to share.
Randi: I like Barack Obama!

So, there you have it, a house divided. It will be interesting to see of which there are more voters, the Alex, Cole or Randi (I wanna vote because everyone is.) persuasion. Educate yourself and vote your conscience.

I love that my children are so willing to share. I believe their attitudes reflect those of most Americans. We all want to be a part of bettering our families, communities and nation. We just want to do it in different ways.

I think today, Election Day, we all should look at our similarities, rather than our differences. We are voting in a nation that allows, even encourages, everyone to be heard. We are very fortunate. Even if the election doesn't go the way we wish, we are still all Americans, and we should work together, learn from each other and respect that our evolution is a process requiring diversity and faithfulness.

Happy Halloween!

Career Day at School

Alex: Engeneer/Builder
Cole: Scientist/Einstine
This picture so reflects the personalities of my children.

Thank you again, Julianne.

Let's Go, Julianne!

Ok...I fell of the hard-core wagon this week. I had at least 10 mini candies from our Halloween stash, a couple of Cokes to sooth a sore throat and one pizza pig out night. I also only worked out once this week. I'll do better this week.
.

Libertarian Party

I know Bob Barr will not win the election, and who could have possibly taken Ron Paul seriously?
These candidates do, however, bring to light what seems to be a up-and-coming viable alternative to the same-old, same-old, politics-as-usual, red vs. blue, governmental policy. Don became Libertarian after business school. I never really read much on the party, but after being disappointed, yet again, by the excessive mudslinging tactics of the Obama and McCain campaigns, I started looking for party that wants to extend "real change". I haven't read everything, but so far, I like what I see. The Libertarian party seems to align most closely to what I believe the role of government should be. They seem to be more Republican than the Republicans.
Why hasn't this party received more attention? What do I not know?
Libertarian Party Website

Let's Go, Julianne!

I don't know how it's possible, but it is.

Taking Control

I realized today that I have been letting a lot of things slip like my health, my house, my social life, my spiritual life, etc. I have also been allowing myself to get sucked into things that really don't matter like the computer, TV, and shopping.
Today, I am taking control back. There is no reason I should be perpetually late, grumpy, worried or tired. I can fix all these things. I just needed to choose to do so. I needed to stop cramming my day full of "stuff."

Let's Go, Julianne!

Game on.

Cole's Curls

With a little help from these,

I can look like him.

Randi's first "Mommy" pony.

"Mommy, now I have a pony like yours!"
And to think, it only took 3 years to grow.