It's Been A While

It has been a long time since I posted last. We've been out of town and the weather has been overcast and gloomy. I just haven't felt like posting lately. Every time I thought about writing something, I realized that the weather was making me feel gloomy and anything that I had to say would sound like Eeyore. The weather is still dark and dismal, but my mood is better, so Eeyore won't be making an appearance on this blog today. This weather is weird, isn't it? It looks like it is going to rain, but it never does. Maybe this weekend... I'm ready for the sun to come out so that it will feel like spring.

The last few days have been full of craziness!!! The kids went to stay with their grandparents in Frisco for a few days. Mary Alice cut her hair while she was there. She said it was "in her eyes". Whatever. Apparently, when she realized what she'd done she said, "Oh no! I'm supposed to be in a wedding in May!!!" Thankfully, the damage was minimal and can be easily hidden in her normal hairstyle. No biggie.

The kids had lots of fun with their grandparents and great grandparents in Frisco. Josh's Grandmother and Grandad had driven all the way from west Texas to see everyone. We had fun with the great grandparents and even learned that in his spare time, Josh's Grandad is an aspiring jewelry designer! Isn't that neat?

We spent Friday and Saturday night with Josh's sister, Miranda, and her husband, Chad. We visited our old, much loved, church on Sunday morning. It was good to see so many of our old friends again. So much had changed!! Anyway, we got to eat lunch with an elder and his wife from our old church. From the moment we arrived at Prestoncrest, this couple made us feel right at home. The elder's wife told me that she has been praying for me every day!!! Unbelievable! I thought that was so meaningful. I was thinking, "This woman is very busy, and knows so many people, and yet she has taken the time to pray for little ole me EVERY DAY!!!" WOW!!! So we ate lunch with them and caught up on each other's lives. I think it is so inspiring to see older couples who so unselfishly look to the needs of others. This couple is a wonderful example to Josh and me. I am not naturally gifted at making people feel welcome and special, but I want to try to develop that quality. I would love, one day, to be the kind of woman that this elder's wife is, someone who serves others so selflessly, and who shows Christ to every person who happens upon her path. Sweet sweet couple. One in a million.

Sunday night, we ate dinner with our old familiar gang. A few members of the Mesquite group were noticeably absent. That was sad. So some things had changed. It was like, for a moment, that we were transported back in time, a time in our lives that we dearly loved. We always love getting together with these special friends. Everything was great except for the temperature (too chilly-We were seated on the porch.) and the random smokemobile that was parked next to our table. We didn't look too closely for fear of getting shot, but noticed people getting in and out of a parked car. Each time someone would enter or exit, huge puffs of smoke would erupt out of the car. What was going on in there? I'd like to know. In a few more months, our old group will have changed even more with the addition of Baby Taylor and Baby Shuttlesworth. Looking forward to seeing what I'm sure will be some of the world's cutest babies and funniest kids! I fully expect that Legler/Shuttlesworth combo to be one cute little long legged monkey! Can't wait!

We came home on Monday and have been frantically trying to get back to a sense of normal. Mom's 52nd birthday was on Tuesday. We went down to celebrate with her for the day. Since then, for the most part, we have been at home blessed home--- my favorite place on earth! We've been out and about a little bit, but only when absolutely necessary. I always need a chance to recoup after our travels.

I've been a bit obsessed with Amazon.com lately. Here are some of my purchases. I ordered Mudpies and Magnets after checking it out at the library first. This book has some unbelievably fun science experiments to do with the kids!! I also ordered Lotions, Potions, Slime, Mudpies, and More. I hadn't previewed this from the library, but ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! We have already had some fun with this book. The author of this book seems like my kind of woman. She has some wonderful ideas in here. I got both of these books for under $5 with shipping!! I ordered two other books, but I will have to wait until I'm finished reading those to recommend. If you don't hear about them, that means that they weren't recommendable. :( I thought that both of these books had some great ideas of really fun things to make and do with your children. The Lotions Potions one is my favorite.

All of this book buying gets me so excited about choosing Mary Alice's Kindergarten curriculum for next year. There are so many things out there! We just need to find the right fit for her and for our family. I've been reading lots of books with lots of different opinions about curriculum. I've started to receive all of the curriculum catalogs that I signed up for at last year's home school book fair. In a little over a month, I will have to make a decision. I've done the research and am hoping that the choice will be easy. That is what I am praying for. Exciting stuff! Next year will begin a whole new phase in our life. I can't wait for Mary Alice to start Kindergarten.

Here are a few pictures of the kids from yesterday. Major and I watered the lawn together. He was so cute in his little rain boots and shorts. I wish I'd gotten a picture of that! We were watering together, when we noticed a forgotten piece of sidewalk chalk that was buried in the bushes. The chalk had been soaked by our watering efforts. I picked it out of the bushes. Major and I had fun with our wet sidewalk chalk "paint". We were painting our hand prints all over the porch "just like Curious George" when Mary Alice walked out and joined in on the fun. I ran inside and grabbed the camera. Here are some pictures of my sweetie pies.