The One that Got Away

Last night, we took the boys fishing at the river. After we found a place that was sure to catch "a big whopper of a fish" (caleb), we started casting. Caleb got to use a big fishing pole, and his casting was very impressive. Cameron used his kid-size fishing pole, and after I casted a few times for him, he informed me quite insistently that he "could do it myself." So, I let him. That lasted, surprisingly, three casts before it became a huge mess. At that point Cameron decided he was done fishing with a lure, and he needed his fish back on his pole. *sidenote* If you are unfamiliar with children's fishing poles, many of them come with a 5 inch rubber fish attached. So, we re-attached his fish. At this point Caleb decided we were not at the optimal fishing location, and that we needed to move down river some. (timeline - all of that was about 25 minutes)

So we lugged our stuff a short distance down, and Caleb exclaimed this was "prime fishing area" and also "big whopper watch out, I'm gonna catch you." He casted several times, and then decided he would share with me, so I could fish some. Cameron was content with his pole and fish. Greg waded out in the river to get a better vantage on the fish we saw jumping. Of course, the boys "needed" to go out there with him. I kept casting and reeling. Cameron ended up wet from above the waistline down, but Caleb managed to stay fairly dry. At some point the three of them ventured back to land so Greg could do something to his line. Caleb regained control of his pole since I was "not catching a darn thing" (caleb). And, Cameron went back to "fishing."

At this point, Cameron keeps casting and then reeling in, claiming "I caught a fish, I caught a fish." And, every time he pulled his red rubber fish out, he looked more proud than the time before. This went on for a bit, then he really started play-acting. He sent the line in (all of two feet), then started tugging on his pole and letting more line out. He acts like he's struggling to stay upright and hang on to the pole as he steps backwards saying, "I got da big one now, must be as big as a shark. It's giving me a weally hard time, Ugh, Umph, Ugh. Come on you fish, I'm gonna get in you in yet." Of course, I am laughing hysterically and Caleb's having a difficult time reeling in because he is entranced by his brother. Well, Cameron hammed it up for a good couple of minutes, then finally produced his "whopper" of a fish. Imagine our surprise when he pulled out a 5 inch red rubber fish. He was beaming.

Alas, no fish were caught, but we had the best time, and I look forward to going again. This time I'll remember my camera, and maybe even the video camera.

Growing Up Too Fast

In the last week, I have cleaned out both of the boys' closets. Things have been re-organized, re-hung, re-done. Both of their top shelves had become a landing place for the stuff "I'll go through this later."

And, after having accomplished the clean-out, I'm left with a realization that hit me like a Mack truck - my kids are getting big.

When I was hanging up some new clothes in Caleb's closet for back-to-school, it hit me like a ton of bricks when his clothes no longer stayed on these

and he graduated to these adult-size versions

Ugh! Where did the time go?!

Then, as if that wasn't enough, salt was added to my fresh wound.

I cleaned out Cameron's closet, and finally pulled out the monogrammed diaper bag that my sweet friends gave to me when he was born. Knowing I wouldn't part with it, I had stuck it up in the top of the closet and just piled stuff on top. Well, everything came out to sort and go through, and this is what I found:

After having myself a good moment, I forged on. Soon, after my cry moment, Greg came in and asked what was wrong. He sweetly hugged me, looked in the closet, and said "your baby's getting bigger?" And, then I really lost it stayed composed and blubbered something about how he's not a baby anymore, he's a big boy, he's going to be 4, and some other ramblings.

I got it all out and finished the closet. Later that afternoon, we took them to the pool, and it was so nice that they are bigger and swimming and a little more independent. I look forward to what is ahead and this time in their lives. (don't worry - i stashed that cute little preemie diaper away to reflect on later again)

I am

I am passionate about being fit,
But I am not always passionate about fitness.

I am a foodaholic,
But I have been known to skip meals.

I am passionate about a clean house,
But I am rarely passionate about cleaning.

I am crazy about reading,
But I don't always read what I should.

I am passionate about being a nurse,
But I haven't 'worked' as one in almost 4 years.

I am easily excited about budgets and numbers,
But I am not always passionate about sticking to it.

I am always eager to travel,
But I do not like to unpack.

I am easily concerned about the way I look,
But I often go days without wearing make-up.

I am blessed by good friends,
But I am not always a good friend in return.

I am a sister to two amazing brothers,
But I am not not always an amazing sister.

I am a daughter blessed with parents that love me for who I am,
But I have not always been a child to be proud of.

I am deeply, richly, and infinitely blessed by my children,
But I find being a mother to be one of the hardest and sometimes painful jobs,
and I am not always good at it.

I am more in love with my husband than I have ever been,
But I am not always the wife I should be.

I am a child of God,
But I do not always behave, talk or act God-like.

"but by the Grace of God i am what i am, and His Grace to me was not without effect..."
1 Corinthians 15:10

and for this I am forever grateful.

It was an honor

**update** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VAyKZu3kZo


After church on Sunday, we decided to go to San Antonio. We had a few things we needed to do and Greg really "needed" to go to Bass Pro Shops. We didn't decide until we had turned the opposite way we needed to go out of church, so we had to go through town and then get on the Interstate. I'm so glad we did.



A few very sad times in my life, I have been a mourning person riding in a car in a line with our lights on following a loved one to their final earthly resting place. I am one of those people that finds the utmost respect in others who go out of their way, take a few moments out of their life, and pull over in respect. I also become enraged at those who don't. When my grandfather died, we went through his small town, and many people stepped out of their businesses and stood on the sidewalk in respect. I'll never forget the old cowboy standing with his hat held over his heart. Also, when my Aunt Denise died, we travelled from the church to the cemetery in Grapevine, TX at lunch hour (which if you don't know is a really busy time). I cried when the people pulled over for our family. (I yelled at those who didn't)



In turn, I like to pull over and show the same respect - I don't have to know the people. Well, on Sunday, we had the privilege of doing this. As we passed under and overpass at the edge of New Braunfels on I-35, we witnessed military people lined up all the way across the overpass and cars pulled to the sides. We had no idea what was going on, and at the next overpass were NB firetrucks, ambulances, and personnel lined up all the way across. After some speculating, it clicked with Greg - a 20 year old boy from New Braunfels was killed serving our country overseas and they were bringing him home. It was then we saw the flashing lights coming northbound from San Antonio, and my husband braked in the middle of the Interstate and swerved to the side of the road for us to pay our respect. It's the least we could do. And, it was a wonderful lesson to teach the boys.



http://herald-zeitung.com/story.lasso?ewcd=971e018221803f5e

A Bad Phone Weekend

On Monday morning, Greg and I woke up and went about our normal weekday routine. As he was about to leave for work, he realized he didn't have his phones - he has a work phone and a personal phone. We looked through his truck, my car, and all the obvious places in the house a few times and came up with nothing. I started asking my sensible questions...When's the last time you used it? Did you have it at so-and-so? Where do you think you remember putting it? Did you leave it in your shorts/pants?

At this point, we are a good 20-30 minutes into the search. He says he had his personal phone on Saturday when he went to pick up a load of mulch for the flower beds. He says he may have left it in his pocket of his shorts. And I say, "Oh, the shorts Caleb loaded last night and washed?" BINGO! We found the personal phone in the washing machine - and let me tell ya' - it is CLEAN!! So, although I'm figuring it is a lost cause, I took out the battery, SIM card, and set it on the counter to dry.

And, we carry on with the work phone quest. He starts questioning if I saw the kids with it, and making absolute statements, like, "I know it was on the counter." Then we move to the bedroom to look, "I know I set it on the dresser." To the truck, "I know I didn't leave it in here." Then the boys get up, "Did you boys play with Daddy's phone?" (no, they didn't) Finally, after an hour, he decides to go to work phone-less.

Well, nothing bugs me more than something lost (that's not true - a lot of things bug me more, but I do dislike it), when I know it shouldn't be. So I keep searching. and searching. and searching. Greg gets to work and calls me from the office, and says, "maybe I set it on your bumper when I put my boots on Saturday morning because I thought I would take it out to my truck to plug it in and charge it." Well, hmm.

So, I tell the boys, "let's go for a ride and see if daddy's phone is on the side of the road." We load up, and head out. Well, apparently, cell phones left on the bumper of the car (maybe) can make it all the way to the entrance of our subdivision. That is where we found Greg's phone. Smashed to smitherines. I stopped picking up pieces at 17.

I Love You, Sweetheart!!

See ya Later Alligator...

...And after while Crocodile!!



We had a wonderful (and crazy busy) week last week doing Crocodile Dock VBS at our church! We had almost 700 kids, over 220 volunteers, and over 50 kids make a decision to ask Jesus in their hearts! And, while all of this is AWESOME, I will be happy not to wash this every night and put it on every morning ever again!

Funny Cameron Saying # 30,231

Yesterday, when we got to church as the sun was breaking the horizon to get ready for VBS, Cameron informs me he has to potty. So, I turned on the lights in the girls bathroom and sent him in. I put my purse up in the office, and returned to retrieve Cameron and wash hands. This is the conversation that happened while washing hands.

Cameron: Mom, are we in the girls bathroom? (said more like, mooom, are we in da gruls bafroom?)
Me: Yes
C: But, I'm a boy.
Me: Yes, but Mommy's a girl, so when I take you, I have to take you to the girls bathroom.
C: Mom, I am not even going to kiss a girl.
Me: You're not? Why?
C: Because, de are grooooosssss.
Me: Oh, what about me?
C: You're not a grul, you're mommy.
Me: Oh, okay.
C: And, Mommy, I am not EVEN going to get married until I grow out of this (grabbing his sleeve) shirt.

He makes me laugh.