Merry Christmas From the Heads!

My sister sent this to me and I couldn't help myself! Merry Christmas!

You Should Know!

I had heard of this story but had not spied it with my little eyes until today...I made sure to finish my lunch before watching it. What I saw was extremely disturbing, my stomach is still turning. I am posting this only because as your friend, I want you to know! (I would want to know) As a germ-a-phoebe my self, I have always been cautious in hotel rooms, not touching anything I didn't need to touch (shower walls, the floor, comforters, etc) but for some reason this didn't cross my mind.

WARNING: Will cause disgust, sickness in stomach, and anger.

http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22250/39039

He knows if you've been BAD...

Tonight I am standing at the stove, cooking dinner, nothing unusual. Little man is playing a game in the living room. Pretty soon I hear this little voice, talking just above a whisper, '...for Christmas, nothing,' I shout out, 'What, sweety? Did you say something to me?' He responds just barely loud enough for me hear, ' I'm going to get nothing for Christmas.' After drying my hands off on the kitchen towel, I slowly make my way to the living room where i receive THE news.

Little man is sitting sitting on his knees, eyes staring at the floor, and a frown as big as Texas.

Little Man : ' I am doomed'
Me: 'Did you just say you are DOOMED?'
Little Man : 'Yup'
Me: ' Why are you doomed sweety?' (of course, keeping a very serious face, knowing this is the end of the world issue for my 4yr old)
Little Man : 'I'm not going to get any presents for Christmas'
Me : 'Why not? You already have one gift under the tree.'
Little Man : 'Because I have been bad...You have been good Mommy, but I have been Bad.'
Me : 'How have you been bad?'
Little Man : 'Like when I slide on my kneeeees.'
Me: 'Well sweety, I have been bad too...we all do some bad things...but you have been trying to be good, and you haven't slid on your knees in a few weeks. Santa knows you have been working on that and I think he will still bring you some presents.'

'Tis the Season

All I have to say is that Nerf must be doing some serious advertisement for this because my little man can pretty much recite the commercial. (and he doesn't even watch TV except for a couple hours on the weekends and usually it is commercial free TV!) So how he has memorized that he wants the 'N'Strike Long Shot Blaster with detachable scope' is beyond me...I didn't even know that 'detachable' was in his vocab.

My next question is...what 4.5 yr old needs a 3ft Nerf gun...and where is he going to be shooting it that he needs it to go 35ft!? I know where he is NOT going to be shooting...in my living room... or kitchen... or dinning room for that matter. It looks to me like even the kid in the advertisement needed help holding the gun up (notice the 'extra' hand?).

So now thanks to Nerf, I am running around desperately looking for one of these. The sad part is that I know Nerf did it on purpose, they advertise like crazy one item (even though they have tons of other items), they under produce it, then us dumb parents run around like idiots trying to find it, the price gets jacked up, and half the kids end up disappointed because they didn't get it.

So Santa, if you are reading this, I hope its not too late to put in a request, but could you please make one more of these 'Long Shot Blasters' for my Little Man and leave it under our tree on Christmas Eve...I promise to leave out extra homemade cookies...

The Magical Velcro Shoes

A few days ago....

Me: How was school?
Little Man: Good.
Me: Did you get to play outside?
Little Man: Yup.
Me: Did you get to run a lot?
Little Man: Yup.
Me: Are you fast?
Little Man: Yeah, but I am not as fast as Abdula. Abdula has TWO velcros and I only have one velcro.

Who knew that velcro could do so much!?

I can see it coming in a few years, 'Mom, why did you put me in those shoes? I can't believe you made me wear those.' I will then remind him that HE was the one that HAD to wear velcro and how I pushed for the much more stylish laces.

Dove Have Hearts Too

Last Sunday we had the opportunity to go dove hunting again. Spider man has been dying to go and although we told him that he had to be 5 before going we decided that 6 more months of his life was not going to make that much of a difference...so off we went on our first Family Dove Hunting Trip (we sound like we are from Hick Town, don't we!?-- Maybe I should finish this post using my best country slang or better yet you should read it with a country twang in your head).

So we's all loaded up in the truck, sportin our bestest camouflage gear. Drove out to this piece of property...I's only had to jump out of the truck a couple times to open a few cattle gates...but once we's gots thrus the gate with the big cow skull on it, we's were there! So for 3 hours we sat outs theres amongst some sort of beans trees wait'in for them ol' doves to just come fly'ns by. Well I gots me my very first dove ever. I ain't no pro-fes-shanal hunter or nuttin but I gots me one. Lets just say I am sure I made Daddy proud.

Well, before going we had told Spider man that he wasn't going to get to shoot a gun and he wasn't allowed to look at the birds (we didn't want to traumatize him on his first trip). Well as soon as the first bird went down, of course he was high-tailing it over there to try and see the bird. We stopped him, but he kept asking why can't I see? and kept trying to peak glances...So finally Big Daddy X tried to explain to him that there might be some blood and we don't want you to see it. At that point the wheels in is head seem to have turned and the light bulb went off. He looked at me with these big eyes, then ran over to Vim. He cupped his hand over his mouth and whispered in Vim's ear ' Vim, we can't shoot the birds, they have a heart, and they have Jesus in there heart...and we can't shoot them.' I of course could hear what was being said...I was trying my hardest to not laugh out loud. Vim did a great job of explaining that God gave us lots of birds and we are to eat the animals....and how we eat chicken...which seem to satisfy him and now he can't wait to go hunting again.

And for those of you wondering, we only got 5 dove and we ate them the next evening.

Happy Halloween from All of Us!

Spiderman

'Kelly Kapowski and Screech'

(from Save By the Bell for those of you who are uncultured)

And of course what is Halloween with out Britney and K-Fed.

Not all that bad...

There are times when I feel sorry for Fletcher. Times when all he wants to do sleep and all little Man wants to do is play with him. Times when little Man just calls his name over and over again (in a high pitched tone) to get his attention and all Fletcher wants is peace and quiet. And then there are moments like these when I have to think, it's really not bad being Fletcher. It seems to me that any disappointment little Man had about getting a dog that he couldn't pick up, has gone by the wayside.

Viva Las Vegas!

Last weekend I took my first trip to Las Vegas...the city of lights!






I have to admit that there are a lot of lights and when we were driving back to our house after just getting in, I was thinking how dark the Houston area looked and boring.






One disappointment was the man big light up cowboy that you see in all the movies...he is no longer 'on the street' but under a big canopy...


It seems that the popular thing to do is replicate real life 'wonders' such as the Eiffel Tower, Statue of David, Arch De Triumph, Venice...etc.

And finally Vegas offers the land of being 'on something'...I can only assume that some of the shows in Vegas had to have been created while on drugs. And I am only assuming this is what it looks like to visit that land...

(prior to this show, it was a beautiful water wall and peaceful pond with trees surrounding the area- Then the lights dim and the show begins)

And no we didn't win any money, we thought that it would be better if we donated to the casinos so we could use it as a tax write-off...

A hunting we did go, A hunting we did go...

...high-hoe the dairy Oh, a hunting we did go!

I don't know why when I look at the picture above, I think about this image...

This was my first time hunting. Well, let me rephrase that...this was my first time hunting where I was actually old enough to remember the whole trip and I was able to shoot a gun...sorry Dad didn't mean to offend you. Prior to this trip, the only memories I have of hunting is sitting in the bottom of a deer blind, in the cold and humid dark, praying the whole time we wouldn't see a deer...I couldn't handle the thought of Bambi being shot. God answered my prayers that day.

Anyway, I will admit, we had a good time. It was fun to see Vim's face light up and get excited like a kid on Christmas morning. He has been wanting to take me hunting for a while, but he was smart enough to realize that the only way he was going to get me out there was if (a) I didn't have to get up before the sun (b) I didn't have to be cold or wet (c) I didn't have to sit in silence for hours. None of these things appeal to me. And I haven't even mentioned the part about killing and cleaning the animals.


Many women hunt and more power to them...but I don't foresee this becoming our 'couples' sport anytime in the near future. It was fun but not that fun.

Whoop!

This weekend we took our little Man to his first Fightin' Texas Aggie Football game.

Here are some of the highlights:

- Whenever the 12th Man towels were being waved in the air, little Man would start waving back (without a towel)...I think he thought the whole student side was waving at him.

- During several 'quieter' moments and a time out, little Man yelled out 'GO AGGIES!'

- A fly over by 4 army helicopters. And since we were at the top of The Zone, we were able to see the pilots waving at us as they flew by.

- Of course the Aggie Band, it never gets old and give me chills every time.

- At the end of the night, whenever asked what his favorite part of the game, little Man answered 'Everything! Everything was my favorite!'

WHOOP! To brain washing him early.

Happy 18th Birthday Sis!

Talk about being 'Head' of the Table...

Does anyone else find it a little creepy, or is it just me??

You would think that we traveled to some foreign country to have Sam's birthday dinner...but this is in the states...in Texas...in Suburbanite land.

Anyway, hope you had a great 18th birthday, my favor-ist youngest sis'ta. Love ya!

Ahhh, this is the life...

Oh to be a boat dog...the wind in your face, the best seat in the house...

you can't help but smile.

2 Whole Days!

It's official...I have officially moved to Part Time. Of course not as a mother but as a 'Career Woman'. And although this is only my first week to try it on for size, I am already loooving it. And for those of you (specifically the Men-- am I being Sexist?) who possibly might start thinking 'of course she's loving it since she now will be enjoying cherry bon bons, Mani-Pedis, and shopping galore'...let me stop you by saying 'Don't even go there'.
I have heard it all...from 'Ohhh, it must be nice not having to work FT' to 'What are you going to do now with all your free time, relax?'

These are some of the reasons why I love it:

• Trips to Wally World (or 'Wal-hell' as my precious husband calls it) are made early in the day when check out lines are near nonexistent...no longer at 10 o'clock at night.


• Laundry is now done in one day instead of spreading it across 3 or 4 days.


• Boxes are starting to be unpacked that were packed back in January.


• Toys and clothing are being donated and moved out of our house.


• Little Superman is picked up earlier from school and we now have more one on one time.


• And my house is clean, not just picked up, but cleaaann..oh how I love the smell of Clorox Clean Up!

Two whole days to take care of household tasks...I know that some of you are thinking, 'Are you telling me that you never shop or do anything other than clean?' I admit, 6 hrs a month I attend a MOPs group, 3hrs every 2 months I get my hair done, and occasionally I do shop...its hard to pass up a good Sale!

All this to say, I am just grateful that now I have more time to take care of my family...and no its not all about shopping (just a little bit about shopping ; )

I Just Gotta Dance!

(now you understand why I could not just pick one video to post)

ME: Where did you learn to dance like that?
WILLIAM: It is the music.
ME: Oh really? It makes you dance like that?
WILLLIAM: Yeah, I just think of it in my head, then I do it, and its good.

Hope this made your day like it made mine! Ha!

'Coffee' for Thought

I was forwarded this 'story' today and though I am not one to usually 'Fwd:' these emails along, this one was a good reminder for me. Hope you enjoy it.

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got to talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in their work and lives.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups; porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite bone china - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the alumni had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:

"Notice that all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... and then you began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this: Life is the coffee; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The type of cup one has does not define, nor change the quality of life a person lives. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us. The happiest people don't have
the best of everything. They just make the best of everything."

God brews the coffee, not the cups...
Enjoy your coffee!

This Day...

Today, for many mothers across Texas is a day of bitter-sweet emotions. And although my time has not fully come yet to experience these emotions, I no longer can pretend that this day is a spec in the far distance.

By nature, some may say I tend to be emotional...I like to call it 'tender hearted'. Either way, as I listen to the mothers on the radio, calling in to report how they 'let go' and dealt with this day, I can't help but think about how this day will play out for us next year. And why is this day so difficult for so many?

Our little Superman started 'Pre-K' today. Although, he has been in a school environment for the last 2 years, today he moved to a new class room, with a new teacher, and started wearing an overpriced uniform. I did not get choked up or teary-eyed...this year. But as I think about next year, holding his little hand, walking him to his first day of Kindergarten, wearing his first 'big boy' backpack filled with his new school supplies, and dropping him off in a big school...I have a feeling that a lump is certain to develop in my throat and most likely water works will follow soon after on the walk home.

But just as my mother said about child birth, 'millions of women do it each year, if they can do it, you can do it'. And as for the question 'why is this day so difficult for so many?'...I have a good feeling I could speculate correctly on this one, but I will wait till next year to report the facts.

6 months ago...

We pledged our commitment to each other before God, family, and friends....

We became a family....

We danced the 'fish' first time as husband and wife...

To a life time of exciting adventures, dreams that become reality and 'fish' dances...I love you babe.


(You ain't get'in rid of me)

He's got the right idea

After some outdoor, evening activities William took a hint from Fletcher on how to cool off...

As if cooking dinner wasn't already challenging enough...I had to be extra careful on where I was stepping!

A Big Shout Out...

to my wonderfully sweet, overly thoughtful, hunk of a husband. Thank you for making my birthday so special. You went over and beyond with the breakfast in bed, lunch at my favorite restaurant and a surprise Spa Day...I enjoyed every minute of it! Your dinner last night was delicious and so thoughtful, down to the avocado and black olives in the salad (we defiantly did not have any 'food issues' last night : ). Thank you for taking the day off to love me. You truly have a servants heart and I am very grateful that you are mine. Thank you love.

Notice any thing different?

No not the boat silly...We have gained a new family member! Meet Fletcher, our new 3yr old weimaraner. We adopted him last Wednesday evening from a sweet family who just wanted him to have more love and attention then they could currently give him (Fletcher's First Family).

Surprisingly Fletcher seems to be adjusting extremely well to his new family. He has now become part of our daily routine to take and pick up William from school. All I do is open the back of the explore and he jumps in! He also sits and shakes on command...he does not lick and does not jump on people. He has got a great temperament and I don't even think 'non-dog lovers' could not like this dog!

All this to say, I some how feel we have 'cheated' the system and apart of me feels guilty about it! We are benefiting from someone else's blood, sweat, and tears...someone else's years of dedication. It's like getting a child who is already potty trained and who already says "Yes ma am and Yes sir". Do ya get what I am saying? It just doesn't seem right to me!

We took him to the river house this weekend and he seems to love riding on the boat. He was a little unsure about getting in the boat for the first time but he is an old pro now at loading and unloading. I think he likes the wind in his face : )

We feel extremely blessed and lucky to have such a great, new addition to the family.

Can't wait for you to meet him!

Independent Little Thing

(Note: This might be considered a 'proud parents' posting. I realize not everyone will find the ''ahhh factor' and be as amused as some. Please read at your own discretion and stop whenever you become bored)

In the last few days our little Superman has decided to grow up on us. He has decided that he is going to hit some 'mile stones'.

As good parents, we have been encouraging (or pushing) him to do certain activities for ages now (ok- just a few months). We have been 'encouraging' him so long to do these things that recently we just have stopped trying to convince him how much fun he would have if he would just listen to us.


Well, on Saturday while out on the boat, William decided he was going to hop on a board and ride behind the boat. We were shocked, to say the least. Vim and I have been trying for years to get him to even rid in a tube behind the boat. Not only did he get on the board and ride forever, but he wiped out twice and had to be convinced to take turns.

Then on Monday evening we went to the neighborhood pool. Understand that this is the child that screams if a drop of water gets anywhere near his eyes while in the bath tub. He got all done-up in his snorkeling gear (cause every 4yrs old needs snorkeling gear) and ventured down the stairs of the big pool. Slowly he shed the flippers (mainly because he kept kicking me with them) and the 'breather pipe' (as he calls it). We were left with only a huge mask, 2 sizes too big for him. Then it happened, he decided to go under water. I mean full head and all under the water. He was under the water for 4 whole seconds (I counted)...this was definitely a first for him. He only choked on half the pool a few times but no tears were shed...and that my friend is a good thing.

Finally the strangest and biggest accomplishment was last night. We were outside partly because our kitchen floors are torn apart right now and partly to participate in National Night Out (which we were the only family participating). William walked out, opened the garage, put on his helmet and pads. I asked him what he was doing...he simply stated, quite matter-a-factly that he was going to ride his bike. I said 'ok', since I didn't want to discourage my son from trying. But the facts were that his training wheels had been off since May and he had yet to ride with us holding him up. But he decided it was time, and boy was it time! He got on his bike and rode down the drive way. We were dumbfounded.

I guess when he decides, he decides.

'Our' new hobby...

My boys have found a new hobby and as a supportive wife I go along to document the fun!

But to be honest, I don't get what all the hype is about...

Like a Sponge

Last Wednesday night KSBJ was having one of their free concerts in the Town Square near our house. So we loaded up the cooler with sandwiches, chips and water and headed down to enjoy the 'Brown Bag Festival'. The concert lasted about an hour and a half...but of course, being 4yrs old, our little Superman was able to sit still and watch the concert for about 30 minutes (and that is pushing it).

Towards the end of the evening, the musician, Todd Agnew, had everyone repeating one line of his new song...at this point our little Superman is up and down and on my lap then Vim's and then to his chair and talking to the stranger next to us.
Well, last night we were running some errands and our little Superman requested that we listen to the 'guy from the concert'. Not too long after the CD has been playing, from the back seat we hear this little voice belting out with the CD 'Hallelujah, Glory be to our great God. Hallelujah, Glory be to our great God.'

I have to say nothing has sounded more sweet than to hear the voice of my little one singing so sweet and innocently this worship song. It brought tears to my eyes.
This was the same line we were repeating at the concert nearly a week ago when he was moving around like he had ants in his pants.

Kids are such sponges, they soak up everything around them...even when we don't think they are paying attention...What a huge responsibility God has given us to protect their innocence and to fill their minds with 'whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable...' (Philippians 4:8)

The Value of Time

As I look at these pictures, I don 't know if I should be happy or sad...Happy thinking about the journey and time we have had, happy that we are not changing diapers in disgusting public bath rooms, happy that my arms are not shaking with exhaustion from carrying him across the parking lot...

Or is it sad that the baby face is gone, sad that the feet have gotten so big, sad that my arms only allow me to carry him to the edge of the parking lot...

Its amazing what can happen in 2 years. And amazing that he still likes Converse shoes!

Frio River Here We Come

We made our annual trip to the Frio River this year for the 4th of July celebration. For those of you who know me, I don't do well when things don't go as planned...I don't like 'winging it' and I tend to stress with unexpected surprises (unless of course they are good surprises like an engagement ring or a sky diving trip).

With all that said, I tend to slightly over pack. I like to call it 'Being Prepared'. Hey, you never know what you are going to need when you're out on the road or away from home! Can I get an 'Amen'?

Needless to say, the car was getting full and Vim was getting creative on where our little Superman could sit. Hey, I can take a hint.

Hope you all had a happy 4th!

Our little Superman took part in a 4th of July parade at school. He was slightly apprehensive about participating in the event. But in less than a week he has made his first and second parade appearance! Now I am not sure we will ever be able to watch a parade again...he would rather be in the parade smiling and waving...but honestly I think its the pelting people with candy that he enjoys the most.

Pouring on the guilt

It seems that ever since our little superman has turned four he is talking nonstop. Don't get me wrong, he talked a lot before his fourth birthday but recently it seems he does not quit! And not only are a plethora of words flowing from his mouth, but every comment starts with a 'Mommy?' (which of course then needs my recognition) and ends with a question.

Now I am sure that many of you have already faced this, but I am finding that the questions are not always easy questions. These questions not only need a complex answer but also need to be deciphered before getting answered!

For example, on our drive to school today: 'Mommy, you put water in that thingy, turn it and take it out, right?' What!? After much conversation, I determine that he is talking about a cement mixer...which my knowledge on cement mixing is extremely limited. I have learned three methods of dealing with the question:
(A) Claim I don't know, and tell little superman that he will have to ask Vim
(B) Give him the half truth or what I do know...'They put some rocks and water in it and mix it up then pour it out and it makes concrete when it dries'...which usually leads to another question
(C) Diversion or Try to change the subject....which hardly ever works

Well, last night after a gazillion, 'Mommy?', 'Yes, love?', 'Why is there black in the road?' -- type of questions, I was feeling a bit tired and starting to hit my 'question limit'. After about 3 more questions, he followed it with another 'Mommy?'...of course being the patient, calm mother, I answered him with a short, firm, 'WHAT, SON?' He looked at me and said affectionately, 'I love you Mommy, your the best mommy I have ever had.'

Talk about pouring on the guilt! Of course all I could do was grab him, smother him in hugs and kisses and tell him how much I love him.

These are the moments that are so rewarding as a mother. Maybe next time I will be a little more patient.

Before and After

Here are the before and after pictures we promised of our counter tops. Amazing how much of a difference it makes.....

Move In, Move Out, Move In....

Although I knew before that moving was no fun, I now really know for sure how much I despise it. Since January of 2005 I have moved 5 times. 5 times in 2.5 years. Of course never by myself---always with the help of family and friends (my poor parents have been there for each and every one-- bless their little heart). All of those who have helped, thank you very much, I would never want you to feel unappreciated. But never the less, I have packed and unpacked, packed and unpacked, packed....well you get the point.

From college apartment back to home, from home to career apartment, from career apartment back to home, and then my families home to now our Families home, The Head Home. You might say, 'Sarah, this is only 4 times and you said 5...' Well, at the time, as the fiancee and soon to be wife, we moved Vim into our current house. And I am sure that many of you can understand that although my now husband did most of the physical labor of carrying boxes and furniture, I did quite a bit of packing him and unpacking him....(Again, with the help of family too--no one is to feel unappreciated) but I feel this definitely qualifies as an 'Official Move', so for the record books - 5 MOVES!

As I sit here in my cramped office, looking at the dinning room filled with kitchen gadgets (yes, kitchen gadgets), I once again feel as if we are moving. The kitchen is empty of all of our belongings, the bathrooms are empty of our cute new soap dispensers and toiletries. Why may you ask?? B/c we are getting new counter tops put in today. And even though it is thrilling to rid our warm golden kitchen of bright blue formica, it still feels (and looks) like we are moving. And as you all know, moving is no fun...

But on a positive note, I am getting better at it and...we are getting counter tops.

(yes, I said bright blue formica -- I'll post pictures later for those who don't believe me)

Even Superman needs some R&R...

Our little Superman has somewhere in the last 2 days learned to love massages....Yes, massages. Whenever he can he asks for one in the morning and at night. We have a massage table in the house that we put up occasionally. Without even hesitating, little Superman walks in the room states, 'I think I need a little massage' and hops up on the table like a pro...I am talking on his stomach, head in the head rest, and arms hanging off. After Vim rubs his back and legs for 3-5 minutes, Vim asks him 'How you feeling bud?' he says, 'Good, but I think I need a little longer massage.' At this point it is taking all we have not to bust out in hysterics. Little Superman is gonna be some high maintenance kindergartner if some things don't change!

Starting our blogging life...

I have been inspired by all you bloggers out there to start a blog for our family, The Heads. Having a math back ground, writing really isn't my thing so this could get interesting fast (have I told you how much I love spell check?) I have loved reading up and seeing pictures from other peoples lives and hope you enjoy this one as much as I have enjoyed yours! More to come when I figure out what exactly I am doing--ha ha.