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.