Mommies' night out!

I have just returned from being away from my husband and children for 30 hours and I loved every second of it! Don't get me wrong, I missed them, but it was so great to miss them for a while. I went to Houston for a weekend of shopping with 3 other mommies.

It took a while for Kelly, Heather, Jenny and I to stop pointing out all the yellow buses, construction equipment and big trucks, but after about an hour were were speaking like normal civilized adults again. Upon arriving in Houston we checked into our hotel with minimal unloading of luggage. The four of us carried on adult conversation over dinner at the Grand Lux Cafe, and spoke in complete sentences with only an occasional interruption from the waitress. We actually spent 2.5 hours at the restaurant just taking our time and enjoying the opportunity to get to know each other better. We then went back to the hotel and prepared only ourselves for bed.

In the morning we woke up when we were ready, and didn't rush to prepare breakfast or change diapers. We ate at this wonderful little bistro-like place that serves breakfast and lunch in central Houston, called Tiny Boxwoods. It was fabulous! We ate outside on the patio and had things like fresh fruit yogurt parfait, sausage spinach quiche and orange julius. Okay, yeah, so Jenny knows the chef and had the inside scoop, but I'm so glad she told us of this little diamond of a place. The next 6 hours were dedicated to nothing but shopping. We each had our own agenda and didn't have to stop unless we wanted a break. We tried on clothes in dressing rooms, all by ourselves. Imagine! No strollers or children, and still no diapers to change. As Jenny would say, "it was fabulous!"

It's so rare that moms are able to get away from being a mom, and a wife for a while, but it's so important. I was able to just be a woman for a while and enjoy time with friends and take care of only myself. I came home refreshed and ready to take on all the family tasks that I do on a normal daily basis. My attitude and perspective however had drastically improved. I think from now on, this will be an annual event (bi-annual if we can talk our hubbies into it.) :P

Spring is in the air

We have a new addition to our family. No we're not pregnant, and no we didnt buy another dog/cat/other . However we found a Mocking bird's nest in a bush outside my and Darrell's bedroom window. It's low enough to the ground that we can see in it, and the kids and I have been watching to see when the baby birds hatch. Friday afternoon we saw one baby bird poke his little head up. My neighbor, Heather, happened to have her camera handy (as I rarely do) and took a great shot of the newest member of our neighborhood. Isn't he/she adorable!





Another sweet capture my friend, Heather, took of our two kiddoes. This was taken at Mother's Day Out, back in February at the Valentine's party. Lianna love's her friend Hudson.

Simple Pleasures

There are little things a stay at home mom indulges in. I honestly believe we all have we need them in order to keep our sanity and prevent losing ourselves in the midst of serving our families. Here are a few of mine:

Home-made Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough - that's right, when I bake cookies I rarely bake ALL the dough. I like to have a spoonful or so in the middle of the day.

Blue Bell Ice cream - I'll admit it. I'm a complete ice cream snob. If it's not bluebell or from some special creamery like Marble Slab, I probably wont eat it. I savor the stuff. It's smooth and creamy and best enjoyed after 8:00p.m. when children are in bed and you don't have to share it.

Lay's Potato Chips dipped in sour cream - no extra spice or flavor... just plain full fat sour cream.

Bubble Baths - I haven't partaken in this luxury in quite a while, and I miss it so, but when we upgrade to a larger home you'd better believe I'm upgrading to a better tub. One that is better suited for laying in it.

Nap time - This quiet alone time seems to be fading, but I'm hanging on to it for dear life. Lianna is napping only 1-1.5 hours these days, but it's enough to allow me some silence to work, pray, or relax in.

I recently was introduced to these new tortilla chips last Wednesday. These may be added to my luxury list soon too. You've got to try Tia Rosa MegaThin tortilla chips. They are da bom diggity!

Hmmm... I'd better find some new non-food luxuries. Four of the six are some kind of food. If my mom is right, now that I'm thirty I'll start having to work harder at keeping weight off. I'm not nursing much anymore either, so I have no excuse for extra calories.

My Inchworm

My sweet husband went to the trouble of converting this video so I can show off my littlest baby to all of you. It's amazing how God creates us all so completely different from those around us. Canaan has been different since birth, and continues to prove over and over that he his not like his brother or his sister. Contrary to how they crawled (up on all four) Canaan has decided that he's got his own style. Enjoy!

You know you're a mother of boys if...

Have you run across this FWD yet? You know, the one with all the images of boys doing crazy, hilarious, and dangerous things. If you haven't, it's hilarious. Well, I decided after 3 days this week, I'm able to make a list of my own. That's right, all this happened within three days time.

You are the mother of boys if:

• You feel like you're constantly making food or snacks because the little boy is ALWAYS hungry.
• You're having to practically force your son to eat because he all of a sudden doesn't want the snacks/food you've fixed for him.
• You constantly turn around to find your son on the chair or table reaching for something that is "off-limits."
• You find your son putting magnets, computer plugs (one prong kind) into his nose, mouth and ears.
• You run from the back room to see why your daughter is screaming to find both children laying on the floor watching T.V. and your sons fingers are intertwined with your daughter's hair as he tugs and grins with every elicited scream.
• You have to dry your son off from his daily splash in the toilet where he was trying to flush the shampoo bottles down the hole.
• You come out of the shower to find your son (and daughter) sitting in a pile of powdered formula. Entire can ($30) completely emptied onto the floor and the dog is happily licking it up.

The View this Morning....

... from my backdoor...

...and from my front door.

It started getting heavier.

Then it really started coming down.

Only one kid was brave enough to go out in it. Well, maybe Canaan would have been, but I didnt ask him. ;) Brooks stayed warm in the house and just stared out the windows.

This is the second year in a row we've had snow. Last year it was late as well. It snowed the Saturday before Easter, this year it was the Friday before Spring Break. I hear Dallas is getting 2-4 inches. We're only 3 hours north of Houston, so this is definately strange, but welcome, weather. So fun!

streptococcus in the throatus

After a weekend of sleepless nights, fever and shining flashlights in throats, I was relieved to see Lianna diagnosted with strep throat. The doctor thought I was strange for smiling after she told me my daughter was sick. I had to explain that I knew she was ill, and was relieved to know I'd been wise and brought her in. There's a balance a parent must find in letting your child fight through little colds and sore throats by themselves, and knowing when it's bad enough to go to the doctor for treatment. I chose wisely yesterday. :)

So far the rest of the children are fairing well. We think we might have contained it to our daughter only. It will take a day or two to be sure, as Darrell is showing signs of illness now. We are all under quarentine (except Darrell who must continue to earn a paycheck) until tomorrow, provided Lianna stays fever free.

On a completely different note, my 9 month old son still refuses to crawl. I admit, I have not pushed him very hard, okay, okay, I havent encouraged him at all. :D He has recently found an alternate mode of transportation though. He now can roll himself from one side of the living area to the other, and has once rolled himself into a corner of his sister's closet. It's quite amusing actually. Here's to baby #3 may he take as long as he pleases to crawl, walk, and run!