tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-297094542024-03-13T06:15:32.441-07:00The Adventures of Kareena Mullens (and Her Clan)SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.comBlogger224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-46428898472287927122014-01-17T12:05:00.004-08:002014-01-17T12:05:34.441-08:00Week two<a href="http://issuu.com/thewilliaminswonderland/docs/week2">Click here to see my work in progress</a>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-31784662240257447322014-01-09T12:12:00.001-08:002014-01-09T12:14:49.968-08:00A new Endeavor-- Here's hoping for 52 weeksWell my blogging has been a little bit better than my scrapbooking, but the only new year resolution I made was to do better at making my little time machines in book form. THanks to Ursula Williams, I will be able to do just that- here is a look into the first week of 2014 (and NYE 2013 too)<br />
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<a href="http://issuu.com/thewilliaminswonderland/docs/week1?e=0/6286706">Click to see the Tardis I created</a>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-20357128297232815732013-05-25T18:47:00.000-07:002013-05-25T18:47:35.000-07:00Dance for all Seasons<div style="text-align: center;">
So many amazing things about living in Crosby, football, softball, parades, summer programs at the libraty, Art with Alex, Christmas at the community Center...</div>
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But truly BY FAR THE BEST--</div>
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Carol's Dance and Gymanstics</div>
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How does she do it?</div>
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She teaches little girls to dance and to love to dance </div>
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She teaches them to be kind and friendly</div>
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She teaches them that there are wonderful people out there.</div>
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Mrs. Carol is a rockstar, she can't go anywhere in Crosby without a gaggle of girls hugging her.</div>
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I wish I had a picture of her! WHY DON"T I????</div>
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Anyhoo, tonight was her 2013 Dance Recital.</div>
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Alice was in tap and ballet this year, so she had two dances,</div>
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In all the excitement, I didn't get a picture of her in her tap costume, </div>
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They danced to "Love will keep us together"</div>
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The costume was beautiful.</div>
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Her Ballet dance was to "colors of the wind" from Pocohantas. I hate to brag, but she was beautiful. The costume was sooo her, very earthy and resembled a butterfly. Her class was magical.</div>
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She started taking dance when she was 4 and she's loved it. She took a year off to pursue her art. </div>
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Most likely she will go back to art next year, and this was probably her last dance recital with Carol, so I'm glad it was so much fun for her. </div>
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She's ten and half now, I can't believe how she's growing up.</div>
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Joely earned star student and with it comes this coveted crown and the wise words from Mrs. Carol </div>
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"to never lose her sparkle"</div>
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I'm not sure the tiara will ever come off, a true princess can sleep in hers. </div>
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And here she is in her costume for "Little Saint Nick"</div>
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She is in the gymnastics class and worked hard to master her </div>
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FLIP FLOP !!</div>
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I was so proud of her accomplishment to do her back bend kick overs and her back flip.</div>
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She has a great teacher and loves to practice at home too!!</div>
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This is her third of many years with Mrs. Carol!</div>
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I can't wait to see what she comes up with for next year.</div>
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SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-2905016462879496752013-05-24T20:09:00.001-07:002013-05-24T20:09:58.213-07:00Homerun Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHveLVrxjRo/UaAnLg3YS1I/AAAAAAAABfU/l-42AOg5sso/s1600/68565_10151572655487679_15883152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KHveLVrxjRo/UaAnLg3YS1I/AAAAAAAABfU/l-42AOg5sso/s320/68565_10151572655487679_15883152_n.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
So here is our little Wildcat! This is Joely's third and final season in Tball. This year she was drafted with the Wildcats and has done so well. Her first season was last spring, as a Diamond Diva. Last year she learned the game, but was very timid. This season, after playing on a co-ed Tball fall team, she became<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A-G-G-R-E-S-S-I-V-E</span></div>
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She covered third base every game like she was born to play</div>
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She had tons of fans come watch her . This is Katie Crocker, her personal coach for the off season.</div>
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In fact, Katie is so awesome, she was able to get Joely in the Press Box at her High School Game. She had the best view, right behind home plate, with a birds eye view to Third base where Katie plays</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iO1qw3y49xQ/UaAqZImwYfI/AAAAAAAABgg/Ul6SxeAgJdY/s1600/46179_163474963818568_614654459_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iO1qw3y49xQ/UaAqZImwYfI/AAAAAAAABgg/Ul6SxeAgJdY/s320/46179_163474963818568_614654459_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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Even The brothers helped out in the dug out. Of course my camera was only with me a little bit, so the only evidence is David.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And Hey Now, She's an All Star</span></div>
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It was fun, and the fun continues with the all Star tournament in Louisianna's Hidden Gem of<br />Lake Charles.</div>
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I'll keep you posted.</div>
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<br /><br />SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-20501886509770759812013-01-31T08:03:00.000-08:002013-01-31T08:51:10.864-08:00For the Love of Dogs....<div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CD50-TCvOM/UQqNGC7JpVI/AAAAAAAABeQ/IdootZOq5NI/s1600/Alice%2Band%2BTruffles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CD50-TCvOM/UQqNGC7JpVI/AAAAAAAABeQ/IdootZOq5NI/s1600/Alice%2Band%2BTruffles.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93g2IDuKOIw/UQqNGpAJ8_I/AAAAAAAABec/o9fKD2b5cMc/s1600/IMG_0455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93g2IDuKOIw/UQqNGpAJ8_I/AAAAAAAABec/o9fKD2b5cMc/s200/IMG_0455.JPG" width="149" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sc24PfklI88/UQqNHMvBB2I/AAAAAAAABeo/-Jc7Q5KlkO8/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sc24PfklI88/UQqNHMvBB2I/AAAAAAAABeo/-Jc7Q5KlkO8/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Last night our dogs escaped out the front door, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lulu, the middle one, who looks possessed was left behind by the two dogs on the ends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I recovered her immediately, but the other two were gone for hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Desperate I prayed they were safe and kept hoping they would come home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Quentin got on his bike and searched the walking trails.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Alice and her friend Tori went on foot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Joely and I hosted a Daisy scout meeting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">David came home from Art Club and joined me in the search in the van</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We drove the whole neighborhood and then left to search other neighborhoods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">David prayed that he would know where they were.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He was certain they were at the park, with the splash pad. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When we got there (because of traffic it had been about 30 minutes) they weren't there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We went back home, but he was certain they were at the park.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He heard barking, Quentin thought he saw Truffles (it was another black dog, but not truffles)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Alice and I got back in the van to go to the park.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And there they were, happy, smelly and ready to get in the van to ride home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">What a happy ending.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">But it doesn't end there, it's an eternal testament that God answers prayers. He heard our prayers and kept them safe, we are very grateful , but as a mother I am more grateful that my 14 year old son knew how to <b>pray specifically</b> for an answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus concludes His Sermon on the Mount with an admonition in Matthew chapter 7,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">David asked, we sought and kept knocking and they were found.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In St Luke 12:24-28, He says</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"24 </span>Consider the <sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/12?lang=eng#" id="footnote29" rel="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?lang=eng&volumeUri=nt&bookUri=luke&chapterUri=12&noteID=24a" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">ravens</a>: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=29709454" name="25" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">25 </span>And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=29709454" name="26" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">26 </span>If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=29709454" name="27" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">27 </span>Consider the <sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/12?lang=eng#" id="footnote30" rel="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?lang=eng&volumeUri=nt&bookUri=luke&chapterUri=12&noteID=27a" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">lilies</a> how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=29709454" name="28" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </a><span class="verse" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px 1px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">28 </span>If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; <sup class="studyNoteMarker" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a</sup><a class="footnote" href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/12?lang=eng#" id="footnote31" rel="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/chapter/footnote/default.xqy?lang=eng&volumeUri=nt&bookUri=luke&chapterUri=12&noteID=28a" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #486fae; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;">how</a> much more <span class="clarityWord" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">will he clothe</span>you, O ye of little faith?"</span></blockquote>
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He knows how much we love our dogs, He knew that we prayed in faith. I'll be forever grateful for last night,not just for the safe return, but because of the eternal truth my children learned,<br />
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"GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS"</h4>
I'm reminded of my own testimony of prayer and when it began. I was five and my brother was 8. For some reason I had to stay after in Kindergarten and Brian didn't know what to do because he had to walk me home but he couldn't be late either. So he knelt down under a tree and prayed to Heavenly Father to send out mom to school. She testified that the Spirit told her in loud voice, "Go to the school, your children need you." She went and Brian was confidently waiting for her, he said, "I prayed you would come"<br />
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Since that day I have not doubted.</div>
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So many times prayers are answered without such dramatic results. Bless the food, He does, it "nourishes and strengthens us" . He brings all home safely each day, just like we ask. My children do well in school and are happy. Our parents are in His watchful care, "blessing our loved ones both near and far"<br />
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And He also takes care of our pets at the same time He nourishes our spirits.</h2>
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For this am eternally grateful and humbled.SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-49935604046384803122012-02-13T21:53:00.000-08:002012-02-13T21:53:26.111-08:00awww my fall/ winter must have been horrible....I guess it must have been horrible because I havn't blogged since football began!!! WHAT???<br />
Football season was a blur. I only made one of David's middle school games because they were conveniently at the same time as I was picking up Joely for dance and getting ready for girl scouts. I did go to another game but I was at the wrong location. I did not read the schedule correctly at all and because of such a thing I was overbooked.<br />
FORTUNATLY David has his biological father, my sweet husband of 15 blissful years, that made every game. I was never more grateful for his job than I was during football season. I still feel like an "epic fail" but hopefully next year I will make it to all of them. I did however make two of his four cross country meets, yay me. He did real well in that and his coach really liked him. He also got the idea that I am a nice and helpful parent, that's only because he hasn't seen me as psycho football mom, I'll try to keep it in check next year as the same coach is the 8th grade football coach. He also coaches girls softball for the city league, bless his heart, he drafted Alice to play for him. From what I can see, the man is a saint, and we are lucky to be associaated with him. I digress a little, but tonight he made me LOL because we had a parent meeting and he said the number one rule in softball is no crying in softball. I made sure Alice heard that.<br />
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Anyhoo, David made student of the month for seventh grade boys, I was soooo proud of him, His teachers keep telling me what a joy he is in class. He's done amazing this year. My friend Yvette Fuller promised that if the boys can get through fifth and sixth grade without being the victims of fillicide they will be a joy. She's sooo on the money on this one. <br />
David is really funny and sarcastic and still planning on saving our family from the up and coming zombie apocolypse. He wanted a rifle with a silencer for Christmas but was happy with the machete.<br />
Quentin had his first losing season in football, he doesn't wish to talk about it, and I'm finally just able to talk about it without losing my mind. He had wonderful coaches the first two years and this year...well lets just say he's really looking forward to playing in middle school. We both regret not following his coaches to another league, but hindsight is 20/20. He's doing real well in school and trying so hard for straight a's, but his science teacher doesn't like him and only gives him an 89. CURSE HER, He's on the chess club too and he's loving his mountain bike that he got for Christmas.<br />
Alice and Joely are both in Dance and geared up for Softball. This year is girl pitch for Alice and T ball for Joely. Just like Alice, Joely rolled snake eyes for her coach, Miss Jennifer who we've known through football for three years. She's a real sweet lady with wonderful children. I was thrilled to get the call from her that Joely would be on her team, the Diamond Divas. <br />
Joely also requested from Santa that she get a gymnastics mat because Mrs. Carols says to practice night and day. She's perfected the cart wheen and is working on flips. She can do a back bend and does "Front limber" I'm not sure if that's what it's called, but that's what I understand her saying. Mrs. Carol is another teacher that is ready for sainthood, she won't need to collect that posthumously. She always smiles and I'm certain there is plenty of drama with all those little girls going to and from dance every day. <br />
Another interesting thing is that Crosby got a CiCi's pizza, and we now have two subways, and a dollar tree. If they would just get me a target and an HEB I would never leave the city limits, except for church. <br />
RObert and I celebrated 15 years of wedded bliss, what a wonderful night of memories that was. We went to Pappas Seafood and laughed and ate some of the best food. I still can't beleive it's been that long, some days it seems to have been literally just yesterday.<br />
I'm an addict on Pineterst, and I've actually done a thing or two on that board, I dont' just stalk. <br />
I will post some pictures and videos, but not tonight, I HAVE to get to sleep, for some reason I'm wired and that early mornign wake up at 4:30 will make me Sister Cranky Pants.<br />
I love reading the blogs and catching up keep posting, I'm lazy and keep doing my facebook sound bites, but I hope to get back to the peace and quiet of my little blog.SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-51863736199907035282011-10-20T06:02:00.000-07:002011-10-20T06:02:04.072-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8uQfQLSdBKc/TqAXrJ0xKzI/AAAAAAAABZk/NQmm4__MJzw/s1600/d+q+and+j+at+the+parade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8uQfQLSdBKc/TqAXrJ0xKzI/AAAAAAAABZk/NQmm4__MJzw/s640/d+q+and+j+at+the+parade.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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In the Mullens House, Fall =Football</div>
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This year Davo jumped on the bandwagon and joined foolsball.</div>
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He plays on the little league as a Sr. Cougar with Quentin and Joely cheers.</div>
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David also plays for Middle School.</div>
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Apparently league coaches are much nicer LOL</div>
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David, Like Marcia Brady, has joined another Athletic team..</div>
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Cross Country-</div>
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No big surprise because that's "his thing" but it does mean that on </div>
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Tuesday, Thursday and Friday he runs before school, then has athletics (football practice) first period, and then about two hours of practice after school. He tries to make two practices a week for the league. </div>
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His league Coach is real nice and subs him in, so he gets plenty of playing time.</div>
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He understands he can't start since he isn't able to make all the practices and due to his race schedule he can't make all the games.</div>
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Everyone of his coaches describe him as "all heart"</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2kDqKmcfQc/TqAacjTzhTI/AAAAAAAABac/U1zXH4N5KBY/s1600/joely+cheer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2kDqKmcfQc/TqAacjTzhTI/AAAAAAAABac/U1zXH4N5KBY/s320/joely+cheer.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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So here is Joely cheering in 111 degree weather, yes that is surface of the sun hot. </div>
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Her favorite cheer goes like this-</div>
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"The Thunder can't rock the house!</div>
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The Lightening can't rock the house!</div>
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But you can rock the house, </div>
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But you can rock the house!"</div>
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She has declared, after three games, that </div>
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"Being a Cheerio is Boring"</div>
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She's right, it is.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mfeE2yckqaA/TqAXr_gJoDI/AAAAAAAABZ8/3x5SoJpd_lI/s1600/quentin+the+mule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mfeE2yckqaA/TqAXr_gJoDI/AAAAAAAABZ8/3x5SoJpd_lI/s320/quentin+the+mule.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And here is my defensive tackle! He's been stuck on the O-Line and he hates not being able to throw people down. However by the third quarter the coach has let him back on the D-line and he gets some aggression out. And he has a lot of it, because they have not yet won a game. Quentin, like me, is learning how to lose with style. His last team did lose some games, but they were always really close, like by one point in triple overtime, so it never stung quite so bad.</div>
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It's a building year.</div>
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They have new coaches and its' been a very positive experience for the boys. </div>
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Alice and I spent a September weekend in Conroe at a Girl Scout camp with five other girls and my co-leader Jenny. It was a lot of fun for us and we came back tired and very happy to see our beds.</div>
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We stayed in the treehouse cabins and it was a lot of fun. </div>
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The troop near us didn't appreciate that the girls had to go to the bathroom all night long and then there was a crazed racoon on the prowl, it was a night to be awake, but we had fun.</div>
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I don't remember sleeping much at camp when I was a girl.</div>
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We have a few more Saturdays of football and then I'll miss it until next year.</div>
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To keep us occupied we are on a fantasy league.</div>
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David opted out once he found out there wouldn't be wizards and dwarvs, he's content with reality football.</div>
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This is Quentin on draft night, he's wearing his lucky hat! It's lucky because the great and powerful Mason Boys signed it. It's blessed. I beleive Q is tied for first, I may be wrong, but I know I'm dead last. Even with my mad drafting skills, I'm plagued. Robert says the NFL Players Union will request that I no longer draft players as they inevitably get injured, some season ending, some career ending. Not even selling my soul and drafting Michael Vick has given me a winning season.</div>
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Last but not Least, our sweet Alice</div>
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She's busy working on some dish towels, she started the joy of needlework this year! I love passing down this tradition. She's in third grade, taking jazz and rocking it at Girl Scouts. </div>
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This is her at the high school football game. She was in a dance and cheer clinic so it was a magical night. During the first quarter she cheered and between the third and 4th quarter she learned a drill team dance. This is by far my favorite fund raiser the school does. For 20.00 you can cheer and 30.00 you can dance. All the money goes to the cheer and dance squad and the little girls love it.</div>
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Seminary is back in full swing and I am enjoying the early morning Old
Testament Lessons. I love the boys in my class, they are amazing and
such great examples. I keep forgetting to take new pictures of them, but
I will. I'm continually humbled to be their teacher. I've enjoyed
discussing various principles and stories from the Old testament with
Robert. There is so much to learn about the Blessings that come from Keeping our Covenants. I'm grateful for the wonderful women of the Old Testament and their faith and courage. </div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-40009561748165739232011-08-21T19:49:00.000-07:002011-08-21T19:56:34.947-07:00And Visions of Sugar Plums Danced in their heads...<div><div align="center">Well maybe not Sugar Plums...</div><div align="center">Maybe Visions of the Big Yellow Bus</div><div align="center">Tomorrow school starts.</div><div align="center">Everyone has their new outfits ready..</div><div align="center">Backpacks are packed</div><div align="center">and </div><div align="center">The Back to School Brownies are baked...</div><div align="center">Now just waiting for the alarm clock.</div><div align="center">Davo will leave at 6:30 and won't be home until almost six with FOOLSBALL practice.</div><div align="center">Quentonius will be gone by 7:30, home at 4:00 and then back to his Foolsball from 6:30-8:30 two or three nights a week.</div><div align="center">Alice will be dropped off by 8:30 and home by about 3:45, she's going to take Dance this year and not do Art --I'm happy she'll be at Mrs. Carols, but I'll miss her art show</div><div align="center">The Boys will squeeze in Boy Scouts and youth meetings at church.</div><div align="center">Alice will have Girl Scouts and her activities at church.</div><div align="center">The best part of their schedules is that each person gets up and leaves before the next person gets up. </div><div align="center">Nobody will be breathing too loud at the breakfast table.</div><div align="center">Nobody will be brushing their teeth too long.</div><div align="center">Nobody will be using all the hot water.</div><div align="center">This will be a dream year.</div><div align="center">Thanks Crosby for having so many schools- </div><div align="center">And thank you Joely for staying home with me one more year..</div><div align="center">This time next year, find me in the fetal position, or lobbying Robert for Home School!</div></div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-80383598882137452372011-08-16T05:12:00.001-07:002011-08-18T20:40:11.663-07:00Sunrise/Sunset<div><div><p align="center"> </p><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biNJmLBL3EY/TkpevxRFrHI/AAAAAAAABZI/4qvUi3eC8ew/s1600/IMG_20110815_181921.jpg"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641425658006842482" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-biNJmLBL3EY/TkpevxRFrHI/AAAAAAAABZI/4qvUi3eC8ew/s320/IMG_20110815_181921.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center">This is the most excited David could look Monday night, on his way to<br />MIDDLE SCHOOL ORIENTATION</div><div align="center">I tried to not get weepy, but it's hard.</div><div align="center">I know I've blogged about this before but every first thing with David is hard on me! </div><div align="center">I can't beleive it's been almost 13 years since he first came into this world,</div><div align="center">and now my little guy is going to Middle School.</div><div align="center">He has athletics first period and football after school, he'll have fun in his theater arts class and science. I am sure his English class will be filled with fun books, the summer reading assignment was great, (David, Robert and I all enjoyed it) and he's always good in Math. This year Crosby decided to do a two hour block for math, way to go Crosby, No Math Student Left Behind!</div><div align="center">I know it will be a great year for him, but each year gets him that much closer to college, his mission and then just coming home for a weekend visit here and there.</div><div align="center">Perhaps I'm being dramatic.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SjvybTrTu4w/Tk3XKqv-FgI/AAAAAAAABZQ/NQQlnk-lEes/s1600/IMG_20110816_162312.jpg"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642402486439253506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SjvybTrTu4w/Tk3XKqv-FgI/AAAAAAAABZQ/NQQlnk-lEes/s320/IMG_20110816_162312.jpg" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SjvybTrTu4w/Tk3XKqv-FgI/AAAAAAAABZQ/NQQlnk-lEes/s1600/IMG_20110816_162312.jpg"><div align="center"> </div></a>This is David doing his best Lucas Mason interpretation of Cool.</div><div align="center">I took him on Tuesday to get his Equipment checked out.</div><div align="center">This picture is actually deep inside the boys locker room.</div><div align="center">My first visit in the boys locker room.<br />Scratch that from my bucket list!</div><div align="center">They gave the boys their football gear and a locker. David's combo was wrong, but I couldn't help myself, I had to help a bunch of other boys I knew from Quentin's football team or Boy Scouts. None of them knew how to do a combination.</div><div align="center">And they were all sooo nervous. </div><div align="center">David, however, knew very well, it was just they gave him the wrong numbers</div><div align="center">On the way home I asked him if he was embarrassed that I was helping the other kids.</div><div align="center">And he said, "Mom that's just you being you, I can't stop you from being you"</div><div align="center">He CRACKS me up.</div><div align="center">I can't wait to sit in the cougar bleachers with all my bling bling, rooting him on and also his teammates, that I helped on that first day.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQTtOyGtzEM/Tk3aY28M9sI/AAAAAAAABZg/U-fW4DPshYI/s1600/David%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bbeach%2Bage%2Btwo.jpg"><img style="width: 320px; height: 233px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642406028764837570" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kQTtOyGtzEM/Tk3aY28M9sI/AAAAAAAABZg/U-fW4DPshYI/s320/David%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bbeach%2Bage%2Btwo.jpg" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2H4Vz78wP4/Tk3aYpqjOhI/AAAAAAAABZY/8d5pDi1UrgI/s1600/potty%2Btraining.jpg"><img style="width: 320px; height: 233px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642406025201138194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2H4Vz78wP4/Tk3aYpqjOhI/AAAAAAAABZY/8d5pDi1UrgI/s320/potty%2Btraining.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center">And if you wonder why it's hard for me to cut the cord </div><div align="center">at the mean streets of Crosby Middle School, </div><div align="center">it's because I think of him like these above pictures, somewhere between two and three.</div></div></div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-45111570688756702852011-06-20T14:06:00.000-07:002011-06-20T15:19:22.890-07:00A Week at Surfside<div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZLqqYufQhU/Tf-4ReIedFI/AAAAAAAABXw/gvM9aSeJABc/s1600/IMG_20110616_133616.jpg"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620413470267569234" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZLqqYufQhU/Tf-4ReIedFI/AAAAAAAABXw/gvM9aSeJABc/s320/IMG_20110616_133616.jpg" /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AMzZ8ZS2Hbk/Tf-4syO2nYI/AAAAAAAABX4/26qoTdtiVKc/s1600/100_1129.JPG"></a><div align="center">Heaven on Earth!</div><div align="center">We spent a delightful week hanging out at the beach. It was amazing. </div><div align="center">The weather was perfect and our little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">town home</span> was perfect.</div><div align="center">Pictured above is the view from one of the four balconies.<br />We had our own private walkover to the beach and at the end was another deck.<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620413939519495554" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AMzZ8ZS2Hbk/Tf-4syO2nYI/AAAAAAAABX4/26qoTdtiVKc/s320/100_1129.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Sometimes I have genius ideas, this was one of them.</div><div align="center">We only took flip flops.</div><div align="center">6 people 6 flip flops.<br />It was easy to keep up with everything.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVQ9hWlVMAM/Tf-3y2m8fcI/AAAAAAAABXg/8i-DJoKDs4M/s1600/100_1076.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620412944261873090" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVQ9hWlVMAM/Tf-3y2m8fcI/AAAAAAAABXg/8i-DJoKDs4M/s320/100_1076.JPG" /></a><br />Another genius idea,(robert's) no phones and no schedule!</div><div align="center">Robert's work was wonderful, no calls or texts.</div><div align="center">I loved the little clock, it really expresses our sentiments.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zi95Af9s-U/Tf-3ye8q1AI/AAAAAAAABXY/gZACiTd4jDI/s1600/100_1092.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620412937910539266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zi95Af9s-U/Tf-3ye8q1AI/AAAAAAAABXY/gZACiTd4jDI/s320/100_1092.JPG" /></a><br />On Wednesday, we stayed inside during the day, we slept late, ate a late breakfast and played a bunch of board games, ate a late lunch and then hit the beach.</div><div align="center">We finally broke out Settlers of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cataan</span>. But imagine my dismay when the instructions were taken out and not put back in!</div><div align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Fortunately</span>, I had my phone, with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Internet</span> access and we found an online tutorial.</div><div align="center">We are hooked. Sadly I didn't take any pictures during the games, as it's too competitive.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxMcePKTd20/Tf-3x2Bwe_I/AAAAAAAABXQ/Y48Ip3rBq04/s1600/100_1083.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620412926926027762" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WxMcePKTd20/Tf-3x2Bwe_I/AAAAAAAABXQ/Y48Ip3rBq04/s320/100_1083.JPG" /></a><br />Bathing Beauty! This is on the deck.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1yv2PV6QR3s/Tf-3xmWxjqI/AAAAAAAABXI/h3zA-RE3p2g/s1600/100_1064.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620412922719211170" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1yv2PV6QR3s/Tf-3xmWxjqI/AAAAAAAABXI/h3zA-RE3p2g/s320/100_1064.JPG" /></a><br />The other favorite activity-</div><div align="center">Creating sand civilizations.</div><div align="center">We had enough time, that we didn't need to just stop with castles.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQbWe6j2CC4/Tf-3xJYM5eI/AAAAAAAABXA/hVDF3Vvy1vA/s1600/100_1126.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620412914940569058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VQbWe6j2CC4/Tf-3xJYM5eI/AAAAAAAABXA/hVDF3Vvy1vA/s320/100_1126.JPG" /></a><br />This was Rob's favorite part.</div><div align="center">Watching the moonrise, on the back porch while sitting in the rocker.</div><div align="center">It was sooo peaceful.</div><div align="center">And the moon was full all week.</div><div align="center">One night it looked like Cosmo's moon, but I couldn't capture it, It's just in my memory bank.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-qt50t3WkY/Tf-3GmFrZPI/AAAAAAAABW4/g_8jz3zjM8c/s1600/IMG_20110617_090310.jpg"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620412183913129202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-qt50t3WkY/Tf-3GmFrZPI/AAAAAAAABW4/g_8jz3zjM8c/s320/IMG_20110617_090310.jpg" /></a><br />Robert wasn't homesick at all, because there was a laundry room.</div><div align="center">We only had six towels too, so we'd rinse the towels and suits and dry them. </div><div align="center">It was nice to keep the sand away. Not pictured is the below deck showers. WONDERFUL</div><div align="center">After the beach, everyone showered off the sun and salt.</div><div align="center">No sand was allowed at the house.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94IIZUhCJs4/Tf-3GRnlyZI/AAAAAAAABWw/7BXE-Je5emQ/s1600/IMG_20110617_084435.jpg"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620412178418223506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-94IIZUhCJs4/Tf-3GRnlyZI/AAAAAAAABWw/7BXE-Je5emQ/s320/IMG_20110617_084435.jpg" /></a><br />Another one of my brilliant ideas! We each had only one cup, each a different color.</div><div align="center">Couple that with paper plates and utensils and we weren't spending much time in the kitchen</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOj496xRkHU/Tf-3GKCvmMI/AAAAAAAABWo/zInkcOS99po/s1600/100_1061.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620412176384628930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IOj496xRkHU/Tf-3GKCvmMI/AAAAAAAABWo/zInkcOS99po/s320/100_1061.JPG" /></a><br />David and Quentin enjoying some beach time.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LCNgZpWSCE/Tf-3Fqyu-UI/AAAAAAAABWg/NeMVjmupvl0/s1600/100_1056.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620412167995980098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8LCNgZpWSCE/Tf-3Fqyu-UI/AAAAAAAABWg/NeMVjmupvl0/s320/100_1056.JPG" /></a><br />Everyone had a hat, but not everyone wore theirs.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn1IgNpkSmo/Tf-3FceIknI/AAAAAAAABWY/bFOAsNqQm00/s1600/100_1050.JPG"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620412164151480946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bn1IgNpkSmo/Tf-3FceIknI/AAAAAAAABWY/bFOAsNqQm00/s320/100_1050.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><div align="center">Hands down everyone loved Boogie boarding. </div><div align="center">Nobody was sunburnt.</div><div align="center">And contrary to popular belief, when we got back the boys were able to play their video games just fine, they didn't forget how.</div><div align="center">I can't wait for next year's vacation. </div><div align="center">I'm thinking this needs to be a family tradition.</div></div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-20299177370694580162011-06-12T21:13:00.000-07:002011-06-12T21:45:39.442-07:00Mason Combine 2011<div> </div><div><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKy5gW3zQbc/TfWPGHVBK4I/AAAAAAAABUA/l9mZetVCEVE/s1600/100_0922.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617553445423754114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKy5gW3zQbc/TfWPGHVBK4I/AAAAAAAABUA/l9mZetVCEVE/s320/100_0922.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">In order to keep up the momentum of Aggie Camp</div><div align="center">We hired the boys a personal trainer</div><div align="center"><a href="http://sweetmamak.blogspot.com/2011_03_13_archive.html">Lucas Mason</a></div><div align="center">Lucas is kind of a hero around here-</div><div align="center">He plays High school football, and if you listen to Quentin and David, you'll beleive that he is the BEST PLAYER THE CROSBY COUGARS HAVE EVER SEEN.</div><div align="center">He's also a baseball star.</div><div align="center">And he's also one of my three favorite Seminary Students.</div><div align="center">So to have him over a couple of hours a day is FANTASTIC</div><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qx83_f5UjM/TfWPIDBtgxI/AAAAAAAABUY/5AAgyR0gi7M/s1600/100_0921.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617553478628770578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--qx83_f5UjM/TfWPIDBtgxI/AAAAAAAABUY/5AAgyR0gi7M/s320/100_0921.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">He's working on strength, agility and football skills and drills.</div><div align="center">When they are through, Quentin always feels like he's going to puke.</div><div align="center">Job Well Done Coach Mason</div><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxJ5pHSjlaQ/TfWPG9XqYMI/AAAAAAAABUI/TjKFZh-hWDU/s1600/100_0918.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617553459930357954" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxJ5pHSjlaQ/TfWPG9XqYMI/AAAAAAAABUI/TjKFZh-hWDU/s320/100_0918.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">He's done' so good that they were able to crack this cinder block in three pieces. INCREDIBLE.</p><p align="center">I hope they aren't juicing.</p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4NCTPUsfzQ/TfWQ-mnajzI/AAAAAAAABUg/PDMor7iu1LU/s1600/100_0917.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617555515406716722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4NCTPUsfzQ/TfWQ-mnajzI/AAAAAAAABUg/PDMor7iu1LU/s320/100_0917.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">Lucas also has all the cool equipment too, pictured above the shake weight.</p><p align="center">"It really hurts"</p><p align="center">Each work out ends in a quick run to Newport Elementary and back, about 1.5 miles and then he rewards their efforts by playing a little Xbox 360 with them. He's the master on the Xbox too, he's legendary on EVERYTHING-</p><p align="center">They've taken to calling him Chuck, as in Chuck Norris, because Like Chuck Norris, when Coach Mason does push ups, he doesn't push himself up, he pushes the world down.</p><p align="center">Also, Coach Mason has already been to Mars, that's why there are no signs of life there .</p><p align="center">Additionally like Chuck Norris, Coach Mason, doesn't sleep, he waits.</p><p align="center">And he doesn't mow his grass, he stands outside and dares it to grow.</p><p align="center">One more thing, like Chuck Norris, he has beat Halo 3 on legendary, with a guitar hero controller,</p><p align="center">But I digress.</p><p align="center">It's been a fun few days working out with the famous Lucas "chuck" Mason.</p><p align="center">It will be a sad cruel day when he goes to California for his summer vacay, but until then the boys are hanging on his every word and doing EVERYTHING he says.</p><p align="center">And for me, I'm thrilled they look up to him and that they are happy to be his minions.</p></div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-86948264487292948542011-06-07T05:24:00.001-07:002011-06-07T05:55:22.174-07:00Building Champions<div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2PlebY69fAE/Te4aDZznPvI/AAAAAAAABT4/1WXJ4lJU4uc/s1600/100_0860.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615454431146884850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2PlebY69fAE/Te4aDZznPvI/AAAAAAAABT4/1WXJ4lJU4uc/s320/100_0860.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">On Sunday we skipped church and headed to </div><div align="center">The University of Texas...</div><div align="center">in College Station Texas</div><div align="center">The great and powerful </div><div align="center">Texas A&M University.</div><div align="center">Not to be confused with the lesser t.u. found in Austin.</div><div align="center">I digress.</div><div align="center">We were taking the boys to Football Camp at the legendary home of </div><div align="center"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin_Coryatt">Quentin <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coryatt</span></a>, (remember him <a href="http://youtu.be/hiI4prn6XQc">Ty <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Detmer</span></a>?)</div><div align="center"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dat_Nguyen"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dat</span> Nguyen</a> (original wrecking Crew)</div><div align="center">More Recently the Second Overall Draft Pick and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Butkus</span> award Winner</div><div align="center"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Miller">Von Miller</a></div><div align="center">And of course lesser known Twelfth Man</div><div align="center">Robert Lee <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mullens</span> (check him out on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">facebook</span>)</div><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-428jvJfzmgo/Te4Z8DBRJlI/AAAAAAAABTw/QrXdyF9yEqM/s1600/100_0880.JPG"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615454304771057234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-428jvJfzmgo/Te4Z8DBRJlI/AAAAAAAABTw/QrXdyF9yEqM/s320/100_0880.JPG" /></a><div align="center">Here is the money shot- Future Wrecking Crew Nose Guard</div><div align="center">Quentin -- he's putting on his cleats in the TINY Dorm Room,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ne4ZGYHPbI/Te4Z7vaxmFI/AAAAAAAABTo/jLkv4153sjg/s1600/100_0876.JPG"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615454299509332050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ne4ZGYHPbI/Te4Z7vaxmFI/AAAAAAAABTo/jLkv4153sjg/s320/100_0876.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">This is the locker room, David is hanging in Reveille's locker space-</div><div align="center">She's the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">mascot</span>, and she's awesome!</div><div align="center">Lore has it that if she's in your classroom and falls asleep, </div><div align="center">the professor has to cancel the class.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-ei8lpDAos/Te4ZBIV3iqI/AAAAAAAABS4/rz9a8Wqk2IQ/s1600/100_0859.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615453292587354786" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-ei8lpDAos/Te4ZBIV3iqI/AAAAAAAABS4/rz9a8Wqk2IQ/s320/100_0859.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Joely</span> is ready to go home, she' can't walk anymore, she's tired, hungry and thirsty.</div><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jIdntBWurI/Te4Z7RIinyI/AAAAAAAABTg/UU50l9mlx2w/s1600/100_0874.JPG"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615454291379789602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jIdntBWurI/Te4Z7RIinyI/AAAAAAAABTg/UU50l9mlx2w/s320/100_0874.JPG" /></a><div align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Joely</span> was finally cooling off from our walking tour of campus and stroll down memory lane. She decided to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">chillax</span> in the locker space of "JUDIE" we'll be watching for him on the field next year. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">GIGGEM</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPPoNCqDuLk/Te4Y9AcpMRI/AAAAAAAABSo/sG4NsMwpwK4/s1600/100_0853.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615453221748814098" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NPPoNCqDuLk/Te4Y9AcpMRI/AAAAAAAABSo/sG4NsMwpwK4/s320/100_0853.JPG" /></a></div><p align="center">This is where we were engaged! Now look at us some 15 years later, with 4 kids a dog, a rat and a</p><p align="center"> mortgage!</p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQcvoZmIGwY/Te4ZBrAzzoI/AAAAAAAABTI/TkVfpFjevP8/s1600/100_0855.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615453301894270594" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQcvoZmIGwY/Te4ZBrAzzoI/AAAAAAAABTI/TkVfpFjevP8/s320/100_0855.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">This is the Poly Sci building, that was right by our engagement tree. Robert says he'd sit there and dream about the life he'd have with a wonderful wife and children.</p><p align="center">I ask him, "What happens when your real life exceeds your dreams?"</p><p align="center">And he just smiles.</p><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPuz3pzxPG4/Te4Z7CBAU7I/AAAAAAAABTY/EWEuD2kjyAE/s1600/100_0868.JPG"><img style="width: 240px; height: 320px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615454287321650098" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TPuz3pzxPG4/Te4Z7CBAU7I/AAAAAAAABTY/EWEuD2kjyAE/s320/100_0868.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">Here is the 2011 season, look whose on the bottom? That's where they belong.</div><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNrWn1VNNZE/Te4Z6leEFdI/AAAAAAAABTQ/VNRoVSvEjIs/s1600/100_0849.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615454279658902994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNrWn1VNNZE/Te4Z6leEFdI/AAAAAAAABTQ/VNRoVSvEjIs/s320/100_0849.JPG" /></a><div align="center">It's not really a road trip unless we eat at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chuy's</span>. </div><div align="center">Alice opted to stay with her grandma and grandpa <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mullens</span>.</div><p align="center"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615453232972948882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jQrZZhC5IfM/Te4Y9qQr5ZI/AAAAAAAABSw/5NZnUKB-m68/s320/100_0846.JPG" /></p><p align="center">Engaged. The boys are on electronics and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Joely</span> is coloring.</p><p align="center">Peace.</p><p align="center">I'll admit it was hard to leave them there.</p><p align="center">But I KNOW they'll have fun .</p><p align="center">I go pick them up in a few hours and I can't wait to hear how they did.</p><p align="center">Their first stop?</p><p align="center">They want to go to grandma's hot tub.</p><p align="center">Funny how it's never grandpa's house or grandpa's things, it's always grandma's house!<br /> </p>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-36433797521684279212011-06-01T08:01:00.000-07:002011-06-01T08:21:02.390-07:00Village Creek State Park<p align="center"> </p><div><div><div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjJQ8FpROzg/TeZU1ZL0YTI/AAAAAAAABR0/dUhHhkchgaU/s1600/100_0762.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613267261834158386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjJQ8FpROzg/TeZU1ZL0YTI/AAAAAAAABR0/dUhHhkchgaU/s320/100_0762.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">We finally went camping again as a family!</div><div align="center">We've done the divide and conquer many times, either me or Robert with the Scouts</div><div align="center">or all of us camping except Joely stays with Grandma</div><div align="center">Or Me with the Girls Scouts-</div><div align="center">Or on two ocassions with the cub scouts, the boys got sick and since I was already signed up as a leader, I took the girls with me!</div><div align="center">CRAZY</div><div align="center">But it's been well all of Joely's life time since we all camped together.</div><div align="center">It was a blast!</div><div align="center">We took 5 boy scouts with us (two were David and Quentin)</div><div align="center">and they did all the cooking!</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LLEQea5z2Y/TeZVy3jUbhI/AAAAAAAABSE/V4Pz9LqHBN0/s1600/100_0835.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613268317957811730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8LLEQea5z2Y/TeZVy3jUbhI/AAAAAAAABSE/V4Pz9LqHBN0/s320/100_0835.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">The boys stumbled upon a geocache and it was so exciting! They can't wait to find more.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">The best part of Boy Scouts is they let you bring the "me toos"</div><div align="center">And those two were delightful</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdny4Hd2MTU/TeZVzH7gvPI/AAAAAAAABSM/-M-8qxE16fc/s1600/100_0822.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613268322354248946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdny4Hd2MTU/TeZVzH7gvPI/AAAAAAAABSM/-M-8qxE16fc/s320/100_0822.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSNHSk7-L44/TeZVyTkDe2I/AAAAAAAABR8/b3xSOYDAk2s/s1600/100_0826.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613268308297218914" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eSNHSk7-L44/TeZVyTkDe2I/AAAAAAAABR8/b3xSOYDAk2s/s320/100_0826.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div align="center">The highlights were of course the leisure hike (1.13 miles) to the swimming hole and back. The Creek was low so it wasn't scary or dangerous. Just refreshing!</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7Wz34EKvgI/TeZVz7yetyI/AAAAAAAABSU/-2YG8syLo7Y/s1600/100_0776.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613268336275011362" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7Wz34EKvgI/TeZVz7yetyI/AAAAAAAABSU/-2YG8syLo7Y/s320/100_0776.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">On Saturday Evening Dad and the girls went on an "Ice Run" that ended at Sonic for them.</div><div align="center">The scouts and I ate spaghetti cooked by travis (david's brother from another mother)</div><div align="center">and Chicken and Rice, cooked by David.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> <img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613268340191223634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xdebkSYHsk/TeZV0KYLX1I/AAAAAAAABSc/b0PwsGl_Ez0/s320/100_0777.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Ok So I didn't get any pictures of the whole family, and you have to look close to see Quentin, he's in the greenish shirt.</div><div align="center">It was a lot of fun.</div><div align="center">We plan to go to Livingston this summer and also camp in Galveston State Park.</div><div align="center">I prefer the state parks because their bathrooms have flush toilets. I can handle a lot of things if the toilets flush!</div><div align="center">They also have showers.</div><div align="center">Quentin was the only scout who showered, he now has a testimony of showering at camp LOL.</div><div align="center">Our next trip is less primitive, we are staying at Surfside Beach for a week in a rental house.</div><div align="center">The Park is located in the National Thicket, so it was wooded and relativly cool.<br />As Robert kept saying, "It could be a whole lot worse" LOL</div><div align="center">We spend an evening reminiscing about camping trips as kids.</div><div align="center">I took for granted that camping was a normal part of family life.</div><div align="center">I had no idea the preparation and work that went into it.</div><div align="center">A big thanks to mom and dad.</div><div align="center">Also I remember always being cold, we were in the Pacific Northwest and everything is frigid. </div><div align="center">Even though we were cold it was always fun.</div><div align="center">I remember one week where we stayed and it rained most of the time, but dad read to us from his novel, "jaws" LOL</div><div align="center">We would camp for a week, how on earth mom and dad got provisions for our family in the car I'll never know.<br />Miracle Workers!</div><div align="center">I will gladly take the bugs and the heat of Texas and enjoy swimming in warm refreshing water.</div><div align="center"> </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6xdebkSYHsk/TeZV0KYLX1I/AAAAAAAABSc/b0PwsGl_Ez0/s1600/100_0777.JPG"><div align="center"> </div></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7Wz34EKvgI/TeZVz7yetyI/AAAAAAAABSU/-2YG8syLo7Y/s1600/100_0776.JPG"></a><div> </div></div></div></div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-78816036021922480852011-05-25T08:56:00.000-07:002011-05-30T05:49:50.954-07:00Zombies, the New Vampires<p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CxeQVA9Yy48/Td0qtQ1526I/AAAAAAAABQM/OavjFYfrq6Q/s1600/zombie%2Bwarning.png"><img style="width: 225px; height: 225px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610687667877043106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CxeQVA9Yy48/Td0qtQ1526I/AAAAAAAABQM/OavjFYfrq6Q/s320/zombie%2Bwarning.png" /></a></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CxeQVA9Yy48/Td0qtQ1526I/AAAAAAAABQM/OavjFYfrq6Q/s1600/zombie%2Bwarning.png"><div align="left"> </div></a><p></p><div><br /></div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center">If you know me, you are quite aware of my absolute lack </div><div align="center">of parental styles.</div><div align="center">You can't really guess how I'm going to act or react to any given situation that requires</div><div align="center">a repsonsible adult to give input, punish or establish order.</div><div align="center">However, I'm happy to indulge in the obsessions of my children.</div><div align="center">To that end I will explain to you in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CliffsNotes">Cliff Notes</a> form the many lessons</div><div align="center">David Mullens has taught us about his obsession with </div><div align="center">upcoming and inevitable,<br />ZOMBIE APOCOLYPSE</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9hvEWgJmCec/Td0oN9V5H8I/AAAAAAAABQE/1aFOXbGDmLI/s1600/Episode-1-Rick-Door-760.jpg"><img style="width: 320px; height: 226px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610684931043303362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9hvEWgJmCec/Td0oN9V5H8I/AAAAAAAABQE/1aFOXbGDmLI/s320/Episode-1-Rick-Door-760.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">It's unclear, when he realized that it's not a question of if but when for the zombie apocolpse, but it was some time in this school year. </div><div align="center">I beleive the inception was the little knows faction of the Nazi army that</div><div align="center">employed Zombies as killing machines.</div><div align="center">The problem with Zombies is that they infect 100% of the people they bite.</div><div align="center">The incubation period is very short so it can wipe out nations really quick.</div><div align="center">Fortunatly an elite group of Black Ops anihilated the Zombie Corp back in WW2.</div><div align="center">But the disease called the Solanum Virus was not wiped out, and David is waiting for another outbreak.</div><div align="center">Apparently there are evidences of Zombie outbreaks in ancient Egypt.</div><div align="center">So now with the Groundbreaking Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks,</div><div align="center">David is ready now more than ever for the impending Doom.</div><div align="center">I'm happy to be in his family, as my survival goes up exponentially. </div><div align="center">He now wants a crossbow, machete, scythe and a few good shovels.</div><div align="center">Sure, he'll explain, Guns are effective, but they aren't silent.</div><div align="center">And we all know that zombies are attracted to noise.</div><div align="center">Each of his weapons of choice are 100% effective , if you can get rid of the head.</div><div align="center">Also you don't need more ammo, they are all reusable.</div><div align="center">Sure you may evenutally need more arrows, but you can always recycle them.</div><div align="center">Another tip is to not be the slowest.</div><div align="center">Perhaps that's why Davo can run three miles so readily.</div><div align="center">Zombies have no need for oxygen and therefore they can survive underwater.</div><div align="center">They can also climb, so trees won't help.</div><div align="center">You need to be barricaded.</div><div align="center">In addition you need to be constantly vigilant, sure you may become paranoid, but when the undead are seeking to consume your brains, a little paranoia is just what the doctor ordered, if survival is on your agenda.</div><div align="center">David has a quick reference poster in his room that I beleive he will have committed to memory by Friday and he's half way through his survival book, that he received last night.</div><div align="center">By summers end, I think he'll be able to quote it.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-64371692309337055032011-04-24T15:47:00.000-07:002011-06-01T08:20:54.214-07:00Happy Easter Happy Spring<div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07J9ks5KJE8/TbSrl7GsvtI/AAAAAAAABP8/XZWBYxkV7ac/s1600/100_0613.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599288904737668818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-07J9ks5KJE8/TbSrl7GsvtI/AAAAAAAABP8/XZWBYxkV7ac/s320/100_0613.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Here in the south, Easter Celebrations begin on Good Friday.</div><div align="center">Since I was raised in the Godless North I don't recall anything special that day or even being off of school, but here in the south we celebrate Christian Holidays.<br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3q12KcjwN-c/TbSrlkyHa1I/AAAAAAAABP0/je_PLWCAj4E/s1600/100_0620.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599288898745756498" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3q12KcjwN-c/TbSrlkyHa1I/AAAAAAAABP0/je_PLWCAj4E/s320/100_0620.JPG" /></a><br />As is the now custom, We had an EGGSTRAVAGANZA at</div><div align="center">Ari's House. Her mom "aunt Connie" and Myriam are</div><div align="center">quintesential hostesses. Being from Monterey Mexico means the party is</div><div align="center">OVER THE TOP!!!</div><div align="center">Well technically Connie was born and raised in Houston-</div><div align="center">but was we say in Brazil. "com vivencia"</div><div align="center">A delicious lunch, awesome punch and desserts</div><div align="center">and then the HUNT!</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5Bx_jsExlA/TbSrHpZou0I/AAAAAAAABPs/FP-9738wCNA/s1600/100_0621.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599288384589183810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h5Bx_jsExlA/TbSrHpZou0I/AAAAAAAABPs/FP-9738wCNA/s320/100_0621.JPG" /></a><br />I lost count of all the kiddos and older brothers and sisters but there were a lot.</div><div align="center">Alice was doing a make up day for art with Alex, but we brought her home some eggs.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pk50MDDPHw8/TbSrHE_Q15I/AAAAAAAABPk/W0u9jFsiJ0A/s1600/100_0650.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599288374814889874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pk50MDDPHw8/TbSrHE_Q15I/AAAAAAAABPk/W0u9jFsiJ0A/s320/100_0650.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Saturday was glamour shots day (pictures to follow) but check out</div><div align="center">Manti Photography (on my links to the left) for some of their magic!</div><div align="center">Here is David hiding eggs at Grandma Dorothy's house on Easter Sunday.</div><div align="center">He doesn't look like the sullen tweener that he's become, after all he heard</div><div align="center">there was cold hard cash in some of the eggs.<br /></div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dgMwzWwrl7I/TbSrG9dSAXI/AAAAAAAABPc/XTAaQx8Edf4/s1600/100_0647.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599288372793311602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dgMwzWwrl7I/TbSrG9dSAXI/AAAAAAAABPc/XTAaQx8Edf4/s320/100_0647.JPG" /></a><br />And here is Joely finding all the loot.</div><div align="center">Great Aunt Lisa looted the dollar store and Target and </div><div align="center">"hid" all the goodies in the yard.</div><div align="center">There were fairy wings, slippers, play dough, chocolate bubbles, bad teeth</div><div align="center">kites, jewelry etc.</div><div align="center">Anything that could be hung in trees, shoved in a bush or placed in a fence slat was purchased.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlvNzid4Sqg/TbSrGj2eagI/AAAAAAAABPU/f7GLQbc2_7I/s1600/100_0657.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599288365919660546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VlvNzid4Sqg/TbSrGj2eagI/AAAAAAAABPU/f7GLQbc2_7I/s320/100_0657.JPG" /></a><br />Alice in her over the top glam shades.</div><div align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ8plVUQCPo/TbSrGeXvFgI/AAAAAAAABPM/WB7j2HiHrlg/s1600/100_0666.JPG"><img style="width: 320px; height: 240px; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599288364448552450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ8plVUQCPo/TbSrGeXvFgI/AAAAAAAABPM/WB7j2HiHrlg/s320/100_0666.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Joely and the bubbles, she declared,<br />"I got everything I ever wanted"</div><div align="center">And so did Robert and I.</div><div align="center">It was a wonderful day.</div><div align="center">Again the family only asked us to bring drinks and we came home with</div><div align="center">a brisket and a ham, plus desserts.</div><div align="center">Being the only one with kids, I guess makes us look pathetic-</div><div align="center">I know I won't be cooking today, tomorrow or probably until next Sunday!<br /></div><div align="center"></div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-32264248590145242422011-04-10T20:12:00.000-07:002011-04-19T08:07:47.135-07:00Stripling Young Warriors<div align="center"><a href="http://www.delparson.com/gallery_pages/farewell_strippling_warrior.html"><img style="width: 225px; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594159563512194978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LUnPcXCwak/TaJye9__p6I/AAAAAAAABPE/gejSs7CGthg/s320/farewell_my_stripling_warrior.jpg" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div align="center">Farewell my Stripling Warrior Del Parsons</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">One of my favorite histories in the Book of Mormon is about the mothers of 2000 Stripling Warriors. This year for Mother's Day our little primary is singing a song about </div><div align="center">the testimonies of their mothers, </div><div align="center"><a href="http://downloads.sugardoodle.net/I%20Am%20a%20Stripling%20Warrior_sm.pdf">It's called I am a Stripling Warrior</a></div><div align="center">and it's made me very weepy and close to the spirit.</div><div><br /></div><div align="center">The story of the 2000 warriors is amazing. Their parents had been viscous and delighted in bloodshed, however when they learned the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ they accepted and changed their lives. They literally buried their weapons and made a promise to God that they would join with His Church and NEVER use their weapons of war again.</div><div><br /></div><div align="center">They promised to never fight or kill.</div><div align="center">Because of the truth they changed the way they had lived their whole life.</div><div align="center">However peace didn't stay in their land.</div><div><br /></div><div align="center">Once again their lives were being threatened and they considered joining the fight but that would mean they would break their promise to God.</div><div align="center">Instead they did something even more unthinkable.</div><div align="center">They allowed their young boys, roughly 2000 of them, ages 8-15 go off to battle.</div><div><br /></div><div align="center">Their sons had not made the same promise as their parents.</div><div align="center">They could battle for their God, land, their families and their church.</div><div align="center">But they were so young, how could they go forth and fight the enemy?</div><div align="center">Because their mothers taught them to have faith. </div><div><br /></div><div align="center">And that's the great message of the stripling warriors</div><div align="center">Their mother's taught them to have faith.</div><div><br /></div><div align="center">They were led by a man named Helaman, and he loved them, he described them as his sons.</div><div><br /></div><div align="center">In the Book of Alma in the Book of Mormon, the fifty sixth chapter verses 46-48 teaches us</div><div><br /></div><div align="center">46. For as I have ever called them my sons (for all of them were very young) even said unto me, "Father behold our God is with us, and he will notsufer that we should fall; then let us go forth...</div><div align="center">47. Now they had never fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers, than they did upon their lives, they had </div><div align="center"><strong>TAUGHT BY THEIR MOTHERS</strong></div><div align="center">if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.</div><div align="center">48. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt, our mothers knew it."</div><div align="center">And those boys did go into battle and they were succesful and not ONE fo the 2000 boys were killed.</div><div align="center">This story is speaking to me on so many levels.</div><div align="center">First and foremost. The mothers had lived their lives in such a manner that their children beleived everything they said. They were examples of faith and righteousness. They had taught their children to be selfless because they were only thinking of their families and their peace when they volunteered to join the army.</div><div align="center">Second their children grew up with faith. They didn't doubt what was taught them. Their mothers undoubtedly pointed out the many tender mercies of the Lord that occured daily in their lives. Their mothers taught them the gospel. </div><div align="center">They did not fear.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Each day I send my children out to fight a "war." It's not as literal as the stripling young warriors. It's more figurative and that war is between good and evil. Each day they have to choose</div><div align="center">between good and evil.</div><div align="center">I hope that because of what I've taught them and how I conduct my life they always choose God and Jesus Christ and that they can say, "my mother knew it."</div><div align="center">I hope and pray they have the courage to overcome peer pressure and only choose worthy friends. I hope they will be bold and serve missions for the Lord, each one of them.</div><div align="center">I hope they can be like the warriors and think first about the benefit of the group rather than their own needs and wants.</div><div align="center">I'm so greatful that my mother taught me the truth and where to turn to in times of need. I'm glad her mother taught her, and that my grandmother was taught by her mother and so on.</div><div align="center">I'm part of a legacy of great mothers and I hope that the legacy continues with my daughters and that my boys find wives that will continue our legacy.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">On another level, this story is speaking to me in my calling as a seminary teacher.</div><div align="center"> I feel like Helaman did when he called them his sons.</div><div align="center">Clearly he loved them so much and was probably amazed by all they could accomplish.</div><div align="center">I love each of the boys in my class and have a motherly concern for their welfare.</div><div align="center">I'm so greatful that they are raised by wonderful mothers who have taught them the truth.</div><div align="center">I'm greatful that they love their mothers enough that they come to class almost every day.</div><div align="center">I'm amazed by the great things they do.</div><div align="center">Whether it's Dyllan handing out pamphlets at Crosby High School on For the Strengthy of Youth </div><div align="center"><a href="https://beta.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth?locale=eng">https://beta.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth?locale=eng</a> and always strives to do better,</div><div align="center">Or Jace and his peaceful and thoughtful spirit who is always excited about church and the youth program</div><div align="center">Or Lucas who simply does everything that is asked of him,</div><div align="center">They each make me so proud to be a part of their lives.</div><div align="center">I'm so greatful for the fact that my boys look up to them and that my daughters love them too.</div><div align="center">So for this week and this month and I'm hoping this year</div><div align="center">I'm greatful to be a mother, I'm greatful to the examples of great mothers and I'm greatful for my husband who allows me to be the kind of mother I need to be and who picks up my slack.</div><div align="center">Mostly I'm greatful for the young warriors in my charge.<br /></div><div align="center"></div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-60046163148024289952011-03-17T09:01:00.000-07:002011-03-17T09:22:16.454-07:00Alice's Baptism February 19th 2011<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9txjjNnVRg/TYIyWXBflJI/AAAAAAAABO8/4rqJqcxvcYw/s1600/DSC_1191.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 212px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585081847611626642" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9txjjNnVRg/TYIyWXBflJI/AAAAAAAABO8/4rqJqcxvcYw/s320/DSC_1191.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center">This is Alice in her special dress for her special day. </div><div align="center">She was very nervous and excited.</div><div align="center">Grandma and Grandpa Barnes came to share in the exciting day.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyEBkS84oCM/TYIyNK-xgtI/AAAAAAAABO0/zI8F2bYhuCY/s1600/DSC_1198.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585081689760170706" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyEBkS84oCM/TYIyNK-xgtI/AAAAAAAABO0/zI8F2bYhuCY/s320/DSC_1198.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">In our church we believe that when a child is eight they reach the age of accountability and can make their own choices. We wait until this age to baptize the children.</div><div align="center">Still it's their choice.</div><div align="center">She was interviewed by our Bishop, Gerald Love, and was found ready to take this step.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zP4epHlZNSA/TYIyC93SQCI/AAAAAAAABOs/_knTuX23998/s1600/DSC_1199.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 212px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585081514440409122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zP4epHlZNSA/TYIyC93SQCI/AAAAAAAABOs/_knTuX23998/s320/DSC_1199.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">We beleive literally in the teaching of the Savior that " a man (or in this case a cute girl) must be born of the water and the spirit to enter into the kingdom of God"</div><div align="center">She was baptized by immersion and then received the Gift of the Holy Ghost.<br /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C1IgudL_0ys/TYIx5mPwoJI/AAAAAAAABOk/_hrmK87RnbU/s1600/DSC_1210.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585081353481789586" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C1IgudL_0ys/TYIx5mPwoJI/AAAAAAAABOk/_hrmK87RnbU/s320/DSC_1210.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">We also believe that the ordinances must be performed by someone with the authority to do so. </div><div align="center">The Priesthood of Aaron was restored to the earth and has the authority to baptize.</div><div align="center">This is Alice with Lucas Mason, a young man from my seminary class that holds the office of the priest in the Aaronic Priesthood, he baptized Alice. We were very pleased that Lucas was willing to do this for Alice. He's a wonderful young man and it's an honor to be asoociated with him.</div><div align="center">After her baptism Grandpa Barnes (who holds the office of a high priest in the Melchizedek priesthood) confirmed her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and by the laying on of hands she received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. She loves her Grandpa very much and was glad he was able to come to confirm her.</div><div align="center">As long as she keeps the commandments, prays and repents she will have the Holy Ghost with her as a companion to help keep her safe and make good choices.<br /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVtXieDZWsw/TYIxN20-nzI/AAAAAAAABOc/XgDSSQDucF8/s1600/DSC_1219.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585080602018619186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qVtXieDZWsw/TYIxN20-nzI/AAAAAAAABOc/XgDSSQDucF8/s320/DSC_1219.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">This special cake was made by Holly Carraway, it says<br />"And Alice was baptized and there was much rejoicing in the land"</div><div align="center">She's also wearing a special hair piece that Galadriel Hutchings made her to wear on her wrist when she was blessed as an infant.</div><div align="center">She'll put the hair piece in her wedding boquet.</div><div align="center">We love Alice very much and are thrilled with her decision. </div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-18716884549617417872011-01-31T14:43:00.000-08:002011-01-31T14:43:55.394-08:00Bald is BeautifulThis weekend David and Quentin participated in this event, I'm so proud of them. As I think about this little boy and his family I am reminded of the myriad blessings our family receives daily. I will always remember my sweet boys and their friends who were happy to help out another Crosby buddy.<br />Click the share button to see the newspaper article. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/lake_houston/news/article_71942800-db7e-5f02-98bc-8444059bd580.html">share</a>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-23860811887949816102010-12-31T06:49:00.000-08:002010-12-31T07:00:32.266-08:00Deck the Halls<div align="center"> As the kids get older their participation wanes in certain events. It took a great deal of cajoling to get David to participate in this years tree trimming tradidition. After all he's nearly a teen. We are always so greatful when he does participate because he's funny and enjoyable. Joely was the most excited. It's true, Christmas is for the children. </div><div align="center">However all the kids got into it and sang along with all the fun. Two days later everyone went with the cub scouts to carol at a nursing home. That helped us to remember the real reason for the season, which is good will towards men and do as the Savior taught us, which is to "Love one Another"</div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3utOZz27I/AAAAAAAABMk/l0YkNnaMnz4/s1600/100_0206.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556859975972936626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3utOZz27I/AAAAAAAABMk/l0YkNnaMnz4/s320/100_0206.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Take a picture of me!!!</div><div align="center">Joely was so happy to do the tree!</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3utU2j8SI/AAAAAAAABMs/n7xxOjTieow/s1600/100_0205.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556859977704141090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3utU2j8SI/AAAAAAAABMs/n7xxOjTieow/s320/100_0205.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Here is Alice doing the snoopy dance. The radio was playing "Linus and Lucy"</div><div align="center">Can't you just picture Snoopy dancing with his little nose in the air?</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3utuSjVKI/AAAAAAAABM0/G9jGIZrEf28/s1600/100_0210.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556859984532427938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3utuSjVKI/AAAAAAAABM0/G9jGIZrEf28/s320/100_0210.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">Here is David, Not participating.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3uuEUmLBI/AAAAAAAABM8/PR999iJPAXk/s1600/100_0213.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556859990446582802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3uuEUmLBI/AAAAAAAABM8/PR999iJPAXk/s320/100_0213.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">If you can't beat em, join em. David decides to have fun.</div><div align="center">Joely was chosen unanimously to put the star on the top of the tree.</div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-54326059946776761912010-12-31T06:31:00.001-08:002010-12-31T06:43:15.793-08:00Joely is Four<div><div> </div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3p4VIn-VI/AAAAAAAABL8/voILsHf9iL8/s1600/100_0374.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556854669200324946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3p4VIn-VI/AAAAAAAABL8/voILsHf9iL8/s320/100_0374.JPG" /></a><br />Check out Miss Thang!!</p><div align="center">I love this little Jackie O inspired outfit, the only thing missing is a little pillbox hat.<br />Check out the shoes, little tiny heals that she had to clomp around in and make noise. They fit her perfect and they look adorable. </div><div align="center">She's wearing a cute little number that was originally worn by Harper Moulton, then passed on to Alice Mullens. I'll hold onto it for their girls and I hope hope hope that Harper marries David eventually, so the dress can stay in the family.</div><div align="center">But I digress.</div><div align="center"><br /> So the baby is four!!! Where did the time go? I dont' know but it's been a fun time watching her grow up. She's a blast, ever cheerful and loves to sing.<br />She loves to go to church and she loves her Grandparents.</div><div align="center">She's always willing to snuggle and you can pretty much make her laugh out of any tantrum.</div><div align="center">On the rare occasions that you can't, she'll send herself to her room and take a nap.</div><div> </div><div align="center">Here are a few pix of the princess on her special day.</div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3rLoZzb0I/AAAAAAAABMM/yjM7sykB5R8/s1600/100_0413.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556856100301795138" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3rLoZzb0I/AAAAAAAABMM/yjM7sykB5R8/s320/100_0413.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">Pictured with BFF's Keegan and Cori<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3rMOPtxnI/AAAAAAAABMU/L25xoQAHpK4/s1600/100_0438.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556856110460028530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3rMOPtxnI/AAAAAAAABMU/L25xoQAHpK4/s320/100_0438.JPG" /></a><br />Wearing some "fancy" clothes she got from Cori's Mom, Holly.<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3rLel0nXI/AAAAAAAABME/43uxNH6Dqlc/s1600/100_0403.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556856097667849586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3rLel0nXI/AAAAAAAABME/43uxNH6Dqlc/s320/100_0403.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">She wanted a pink cake, so she got one! Thanks Walmart.</p></div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-1319445913504831512010-12-31T06:10:00.000-08:002010-12-31T07:01:44.116-08:00Inspired<div align="center">I have failed to keep up my blog. I blame it on the evil time-sucking facebook and my lack of follow through. But it's (almost) a new year so I think I'll revisit my little creative outlet. My friend and partner in Crime Adrienne has updated a ton on her blog in the last couple of days, so I'm taking my inspiration from her. Please read all the posts and validate me. It means sooo much to me to have the validation!</div><br /><p align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556852019143665506" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3neE54Z2I/AAAAAAAABL0/aWdDLkljLuw/s320/colby%2Bgirls.jpg" /><br />This is Adrienne with her sisters, she's in the front in the gray shirt.<br /></p><br /><div align="center">As you may know I love <a href="http://www.heb.com/home/home.jsp">HEB</a>. Which is an amazing chain of grocery stores in Texas and Mexico. Even the little HEB PANTRY located in Baytown is up to the expectation of excellence one expects from HEB. It is safe to say that HEB has the best produce in town in addition you can get fresh homemade tortillas which you can snack on while shopping. My brother works for HEB in Round Rock and really does well there. So they are a great employer too. Recently they opened up a flagship store in the swanky <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_County,_Texas">NE HARRIS COUNTY </a>of <a href="http://www.summerwoodtx.com/">Summerwood</a>. So Joely and I took a litte trip out there to see all the hoopla. It was a lovely experience. I only wish I would have gotten there about an hour earlier when they were still giving out enough samples to satisfy you for a full meal.<br /></div><br /><div align="center">Here are a few cool finds that Joely and came across.<br /></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3mapY0udI/AAAAAAAABLc/R-eu38MlnQE/s1600/IMG_20101230_195721.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556850860706019794" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3mapY0udI/AAAAAAAABLc/R-eu38MlnQE/s320/IMG_20101230_195721.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div align="center">Fresh Homemade tortillas to be eaten while shopping. This is the only store that Joely likes to sit in the cart. She snacks along the way. She also loves to help with the produce. She counts each one. SUPER CUTE. Last night she sang at the top of her little lungs a great rendition of Lady Gaga's Poker Face. Everyone smiled and she brought such happiness to everyone!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3mawd2vVI/AAAAAAAABLk/62N1ba4o3pU/s1600/IMG_20101230_200107.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556850862606171474" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3mawd2vVI/AAAAAAAABLk/62N1ba4o3pU/s320/IMG_20101230_200107.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div align="center">Not since I left Brazil have I seen so many pigs feet, and at such a great price too!<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3mazkJgLI/AAAAAAAABLs/LEB19w0V6y4/s1600/IMG_20101230_201708.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556850863437873330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TR3mazkJgLI/AAAAAAAABLs/LEB19w0V6y4/s320/IMG_20101230_201708.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div align="center">For some reason, the generic "COCOROOS" were all sold out so we had to buy the high dollar Cocoa Puffs, as Joely is definatly Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. The real money shot is behind her 4 CASES of Dr. Pepper (truly an elixer from Heaven) for only 10.00- SIGN ME UP!</div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-84145721345360782452010-12-07T10:02:00.001-08:002010-12-07T10:02:02.621-08:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://c.gigcount.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI5MTc*NDg3NzE1NCZwdD*xMjkxNzQ*OTA3Nzc1JnA9NzQ4ODEmZD*mbj1ibG9nZ2VyJmc9MSZvPWMxMWM1OWY3NGY5MzQx/NmQ5NjA5NjEwOTZlMTQxODI1Jm9mPTA=.gif" /><div style="background-color:#000000; width: 425px;"><object id="A874994" quality="high" data="http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=pWs8BlV3nvkMQmrY&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=holidays" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="340" width="425"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="movie" value="http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=pWs8BlV3nvkMQmrY&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=holidays"></param><param name="scaleMode" value="showAll"></param><param name="quality" value="high"></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="FlashVars" value="external_make_id=pWs8BlV3nvkMQmrY&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=holidays"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param></object><div style="text-align:center; width:435px; margin-top:6px;">Personalize funny videos and birthday <a href="sendables.jibjab.com/ecards">eCards</a> at JibJab!</div></div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-48555618586273208642010-12-06T06:49:00.000-08:002010-12-06T07:14:47.108-08:00Thankful<p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz6jKLBJvI/AAAAAAAABLQ/Zm8_UtwHA60/s1600/100_0097.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547584322946541298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz6jKLBJvI/AAAAAAAABLQ/Zm8_UtwHA60/s320/100_0097.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center">This year for Thanksgiving we were asked to bring the above drinks</div><div align="center">and the below dessert-</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz5VTgZhRI/AAAAAAAABK4/poOrSMJi41Y/s1600/100_0095.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547582985422341394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz5VTgZhRI/AAAAAAAABK4/poOrSMJi41Y/s320/100_0095.JPG" /></a> </div><div align="center">Please note this dessert looked a lot prettier, I should have taken picture BEFORE we started to serve it.</div><div align="center">We also brought our family of 6.</div><div align="center">I must say that when you bring 6 people you really should be required to bring more than drinks and a dessert.<br />And really the drinks were only for us, since everyone else drank tea.</div><div align="center">But I digress, my point is, the inlaws know me and love me and just really appreciate that I bring their son and grandchildren along that they don't require much out of me and I'm thankful for that...but even more thankful for the leftovers.</div><div align="center">We scored it all, see below.<br /><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz5WC3WNuI/AAAAAAAABLI/vEOv4duPFOQ/s1600/100_0102.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547582998135060194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz5WC3WNuI/AAAAAAAABLI/vEOv4duPFOQ/s320/100_0102.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz5V_K0nNI/AAAAAAAABLA/JOJ374-89BQ/s1600/100_0099.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547582997143002322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz5V_K0nNI/AAAAAAAABLA/JOJ374-89BQ/s320/100_0099.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The rest of the turkey, ham, a near whole apple pie, potato salad, green beans and new potatoes,<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz5VDqyTsI/AAAAAAAABKw/vVZVRdvKVaY/s1600/100_0092.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547582981170941634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz5VDqyTsI/AAAAAAAABKw/vVZVRdvKVaY/s320/100_0092.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz5UzoqNAI/AAAAAAAABKo/AaCpDk3Jtqw/s1600/100_0091.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547582976867054594" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sJn6m_mtMR8/TPz5UzoqNAI/AAAAAAAABKo/AaCpDk3Jtqw/s320/100_0091.JPG" /></a><br /><br />All of the cornbread and chicken stuffing, rolls, baked potatoe casserole. It was a smorgas board. I didn't cook for a week. </div><div align="center">It was a nice time, We played UNO Attack with Aunt Lisa. Dorothy was sick and didn't make it out of her bed, which was really really sad. Uncle Bo and Aunt Tessie were in Mexico and Uncle Rex and Aunt June were with friends, Kacie and Kelly were with their parents, Baby Brother Matt was with his wife and kids in Victoria-</div><div align="center">So it was very quiet with Lisa and PJ, Robert's parents and Grandpa Walter, but still a nice relaxing afternoon. I am thankful that we live close to them and can spend the time together. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I'm also thankful that dad is feeling better and is back to his old self. He gave us quite a scare earlier in November when he passed out on mom one night and didn't wake up for about 16 hours and found himself in the Round Rock Hospital. All of his tests came back normal so they think he might have taken a medication error. So far so good. ON a positive note, I got to go visit them just with Joely. She LOVED the undivided attention and the quality time with the little Smokie, mom and dad's new pup. Robert and the other kids managed in our absence. I'm thankful that his job is flexible enough to allow him a late and early couple of days to take care of our little people. I am also thankful for the discount theater in Round Rock (why don't we have one in Houston????) we went with mom and dad and saw Despicable Me. It was a fun time.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">ON thanksgiving Day, David ran in the Houston Turkey Trot and did well. I didn't see him cross the finish line, it was so packed with thousands of runners. In fact I got scared and a little panicked when the people who only walked the race were coming in and no David. Naturally I assumed the worst and that he was abducted and not by aliens. Eventually he said a prayer to find me and he did right away, but it was a scary 30 minutes. I'm thankful he knew where to turn when he was lost. Next time Megan has to run with him, this mom's heart can't handle it.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We are looking forward to next Monday when our princess turns 4! It will be a wonderful evening indeed. She is definatly a blessing we are thankful for.<br /></div>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-73465153116069571782010-12-01T13:02:00.000-08:002010-12-01T13:02:16.751-08:00The Boys at the Levy<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GqEV6R9JatY?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29709454.post-49159541542560104692010-12-01T12:59:00.000-08:002010-12-01T12:59:20.160-08:00Becoming a young man<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qvaWuA8A2LY?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe><br />In our church when you hit the magical age of 12 you get to join the youth group and for boys you also receive the aaronic priesthood and are ordained a deacon.<br />David has LOVED his experiences so far. On monday Brother Callahan had the boys out to his property in the countryside of Crosby to have the boys become men. David shot his first rifle. Prior to his he had only shot at imaginary things on the XBOX 360. They also handled water mocassins, caught fish with their hands and started a fire without matches. They had so much fun that all the boys had to change clothes, they are all wearing Sister Callahans volleyball clothes- LOL-<br />David claims he is now ready for the zombie apocolypse-<br />If that happens, seek him out, he knows how to survive and to kill zombies. Rule number one, you have to kill them twice.<br />Thanks to Broher Carraway, Brother Love and Brother Callahan for a fun time.<br />I will be posting the other videos- THEY are awesome. Sadly Bro Love did not video them handling snakes, and as you may know that's the sign of a true follower, "if they can handle venomous snakes and not be harmed" Ha HA-SweetmamaKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08603214324891529014noreply@blogger.com1