Summer just isn't summer

with a slip n' slide! And we are finally seeing the SUN today so the boys were ready to break their new slip 'n slide out!


Oh the memories I have growing up of spending day after day slipin' & slidin'. Granted, ours didn't have a plush ending to it and if you ran off of it you got a nice mouthful of grass, dirt and mud. And we always seem to have rocks underneath. No matter where in the yard you put it. Someone would always slide over a rock and end up in tears. But that didn't stop us day after day of playing on it. When we lived in Leander, our slip n' slides never made it long. Kreg could never figure out where to dry it. Problem solved here. That's what clothes lines are for!

Rain ~ Rain, GO AWAY.

In all seriousness. I didn't complain for the 1st 2 1/2 months of rain. I was grateful and all, but now, come on. We are out of the drought and into flood stages some places. I've run out of things to do indoors and I feel bad that my kids are now infront of the TV most of the day. Granted they are having a blast with the new vtech toys, but I would rather it be 105 degrees so we could finally set up our spiderman slip n' slide.

Now that we are a little closer to Houston, the candle business is taking off. I no longer have to scout out every Wal-Mart in Austin and surrounding cities for jars, wholesale is closer. Which means new jars and a whole new look. It's exciting.

Enough business on the 'personal' blog.

So Justin and I took the kids to Sugarland yesterday to pick up jars. And.....it rained the whole way there, the whole time we were in and around Houston and the whole way home. And people in Houston, just don't slow down in the rain. It's raining so hard I can't see anything in front of me so I'm going about 30 MPH and people are just flying past me. It so wasn't a lot of fun.

And with the rain, swimming lessons get canceled. And that devastates the boys :( Though they had a blast again Wednesday night when Hunter proclaimed that his teacher was "jealous of his cool moves." alright kid.

looking forward to a weekend full of rain.

The Funk.

2 days on Alka Seltzer and I'm feeling no better. At least thanks to the meds, I'm sleeping at night.

So, thank goodness that I scored some great deals @ Target last week to keep the kids entertained. You know, since it's raining A L L day & night A G A I N.

In the few minutes that we do get without any rain, we sneak out for some baseball practice:




And of course, we started swim lessons tonight. It would have been great for me to have known they actually started, LAST WEEK. You know with 2 vacation bible school's and all, I guess it slipped my mind. But both of the boys are doing GREAT.







Yes, that's them jumping off the diving board! Jayden cried when they told him it was time to go.

Jezabell has been up to NO good. She LOVES to go on car rides and spend time like this:


She either spends her days propped up on the chair watching out the window and alerting us to every bird, person, car, movement outside.

Or she stansd on her dog house, peering into the playroom window, just begging to be let back in.
Leave it to my dad to spell Jezabell like this:


But my dad did take good care of my on my birthday. He made super yummy fajitas and all the fixins. Kreg SURPRISED me with a beautiful bracelet and necklace from Tiffany's and the boys made and decorated my favorite red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing. It was a GREAT birthday.



And here's us girl's at the lake:

Eh...let's try that one more time:

Happy Birthday to

Moi!

yes, today is the big day I turn 28. And I feel like crude. I honestly don't remember the last time I've felt this miserable with allergies and/or sinus junk.

A very special thank you to the girls who made it out to Hula Hut Friday night for my b-day. It was so nice to get out and see everyone for my birthday celebration. Yes, I have pictures, but I don't feel like loading them. I tell ya, I'm really that miserable.

What's great about having your own business, is that you meet so many friends that also have their own business'. Then birthdays are so much fun because you get the greatest homemade gifts! So since my blog is blah today, please check out some website's and blogs of some of the greatest girls in business I know:

Wendy's Ballistic Sweater Girl
Diane's Tasty Jewerly
Anne Marie Purses
Amy's ChunkyRhino
Shalonda's Chubby Cheek Designs
Kara's Kailo Chic
Jennifer's Naughty Secretary Club

or just head on over and check out the Austin Craft Mafia or any of the chick's involved with Babes in Business

more on the big day tomorrow.

NO, Not Jayden.

so we sit down to dinner at VBS tonight when with Jayden's class when his teacher proceeds to tell me that last night she was looking for her son and Jayden. Seems they have become big buddies since they will be going to school there together. She noticed they were in quite the intense conversation. So she sits back and watches and the next thing she knows is that Jayden is pulling down his pants to show her little boy his 'Lightening McQueen' undies. She gets to them in enough time to save her little one from pulling down his pants too. Turns out the boys, both BIG fans of Mr. McQueen, were wearing the same underpants. And we guess decided to show each other. No idea how the conversation ended up there. And what would have possessed my kid to pull down his drawers at bible school.

And since my parents are on a vacay, I left to care for their humble aboad. Countin' the cows. Feeding the dogs. All those fun activities. So as I'm pulling up tonight, I notice something on my parents roof. Oh $hit, my parents don't even have a roof anymore! Turns out the roofer should up a week early - much to my dismay, and probably my parents. My dad has been proudly telling me stories of killing numerous copper heads in the past couple of weeks. So, as I'm picking tomatoes tonight, I'm scared senseless. No way was I sticking my hands anywhere near the back of the bushes or underneath. But boy...the picking was good! And it looks like they are going to miss out on all their squash. I'll just be sure to tell them how good it was.

So the search continues.....

Our first day of VBS went well. Not sure what Hunter learned yesterday morning beside 'Boom Chicka Boom. I said a Boom Chicka Boom.' That's all he sang yesterday afternoon.

At our evening VBS, the kids are working with a misson to help a little boy who is going blind. I arrived early to pick the boys up and caught the video of the little boy talking about receiving his seeing eye dog. Of course, Hunter had a million question about going blind. As we walked out of VBS, the boys were handed an envelope to bring back today with a donantion for the mission. I ask the boys who's money was going in the envelope, mine or their's.

Hunter asks "why does a blind kid want money?"

I told him so we can help him get his seeing eye dog.

Jayden chimes in with "can we just give him Jezabell instead of our money?"

Hunter then says, "No don't give him Jezabell. We will just stand in the road with our boot to collect quarters for him. Mom, you said we had to have a cause and now we do. Do you think VBS will give us his picture to put on the boot?"

okay, he's 5. He shouldn't know what a 'cause' is. I thought my using 'big' words he'd give it up. Guess not!


and yes, Shalonda, Hunter was the one to lock himself in the bathroom!!! I had forgotten about that. Thanks for the reminder!!! For those who don't know the story. We were at a small little hall for my Aunt and Uncle's anniversary party, and we let Hunter go to the bathroom all by himself. After a while, we notice he still isn't back. Turns out, the kid locked the door and didn't know how to unlock it. Of couse, we didnt' have a key for it and it was in full panic mode. Thankfully my cousin is a firefighter (we always knew he would come in handy one day!) and he was able to save the day. See, when you invite us to a party, it's never dull!

Help a child out!

So a while back my mom and I were in Brenham with the kids and at a stoplight they had firefighters holding up their boots collecting money. Of course, I never carry any cash so my mom hands the boys some money to put inside the boot. My money conscious Hunter decides to throw the $2 in but keep the quarters. He is very into collecting quarters and I don't know why just quarters. Granted he has a nice savings of $60 in bills but all other change he gives to Jayden. He only wants quarters.

So today I'm cleaning the kitchen when I hear Hunter ask me if he can go out front. Now, we aren't in Leander anymore with a cul-de-sac, so I'm always leary of them playing out front but I tell him sure and I'll be out in a minute.

Imagine my astonishment, when I walk outside and see Hunter standing at the end of the sidewalk like this:


Yes, he is doing what we all think he was doing. But of course, I just have to ask.

He tells me "Mom, I'm just trying to get rich quick. I don't want people's dollars just their quarters. I will return all dollars and other change"

oh my child......if it were only that easy!

Come on......you know you wanna..........

Just a few reasons to come and visit us.

In my parents pasture we have:


yes, folks. some of the best catfish fishing you will find. boys, close your mouths. we had to catch and release!

just down the road about 30-40 minutes:



our own little paradise A.K.A. Splashaway Waterpark.




now I know you want to come and see us :)


Ah....some of you may notice I'm back at the picture taking. well, our little incident got solved. As we were getting ready for the wedding this weekend, Kreg received a phone call from the manager of the service station. turns out, they had our camera. when Kreg got home Thursday evening, he decided to make a trip up to the station to let him know how he felt. well, turns out the lady that normally is working was there and recognized Kreg from his numerous u-haul rentals. she remembered he was 'Mike's son-in-law.' alas, the manager knew who Mike was. see, I wasn't some crazy lady accusing the kid. so the manager begin to figure some pieces of the puzzle just didn't fit together with the kid's story. he dug a little deeper and finally Saturday morning the kid admitted he took the camera. he was haul away by the local cops but not before he ERASED all my pictures. I'm still bummed about that but at least my mind could rest at ease. I knew I wasn't crazy.

so we were able to head to Yoakum, camera in hand, ready to celebrate Clayton and Amy's wedding. we had a really nice time. the boys ate, ate and then ate some more. they showed off their dance moves. Kreg and I had a few beers, a couple margaritas, and then a few more beers. if you think it was relaxing, try having this for your family: (and we weren't all there!)


a new family picture of just us:

me and my boys:


hence, all the beers. we woke us this morning, and decided to spend the first rain free day in 60 days and 60 nights at the waterpark. the boys loved this slide:



and this one:



Hunter kept asking all the lifeguards "why do you keep catching me?" of course, he and Uncle Justin spent countless time flirting with all the girls. Justin has found his wingman.

Hunter was bound and determined to swim with all this on:



Jayden was concerned that he was all wrinkled:

That's just what happens when you spend 6 hours in the water @ the waterpark!

we are off to bed. VBS starts at 8AM!

I'm officially calling for another trip to Galveston!

The fresh tuna we bought down there was the best ever! or it could have been the new marinade, granted I used roasted garlic soy sauce and quite a bit more garlic than called for, but this stuff just melted in your mouth.

Hunter exclaimed "This is the best tuna ever!"

Jayden even came back for more.

(yes, my kids LOVE tuna steak. they will each eat a whole 'steak')

granted, I'm an avid Whole Foods shopper for fresh seafood, but this stuff here took the cake. I'm ready to go back for more.

and so the fun will actually begin.

I will be the 1st to admit, our summer has been extremely boring. Since Hunter's accident, we really haven't spent anytime outside. Hot weather + a cast = itching. And it's been raining a l m o s t e v e r y d a y. (I'm not complaining! Just statin the obvious.)

So the week of the 9th - 13th is going to liven things up a bit. VBS (otherwise known as Vacation Bible School) starts. And while I'm excited, here my complaint. You'd think in a town as small as this one, churches would hold VBS at different times. No. 3 churches are having there's all on the same week and the same week the library is having a circus for story time. Come on people! People like me who need activities for their children would love to have things spread out. Hey, at least we got choices. Hunter gets to attend a morning VBS, but atlas Jayden is too young. But this morning VBS starts at 8AM. Yes, that's a little early for us. I couldn't tell you the last morning my children ever work up before 9:00. I guess this will be a VERY GOOD practice for Kindergarten. In the evening, both boys get to attend VBS from 5:30-8:00 and they will provide supper for the kids each night. WOW! This evening VBS is also at the church where Jayden will be attending preschool. I'm hoping he will make some friends. I hoping at both, Hunter will also meet some kids who will go to school with him. I'm just hoping to check things out. But if speaking with the pastor is any indication, things should be great!

Finally!!!! Something exciting for us to embark on :)

the boys conversation today.

Hunter: Mom, can we go to Nana's house?

Me: Hunter, Nana isn't home.

Jayden: (screeching) Can we have a sleepover at Nana's house?

Hunter: (who's too cool & clicks his tongue) Jayden, why do you always want to have a sleepover at Nana's house?

Jayden: (like duh!) Because we get to sleep on the couch.

Hunter: Oh.........yeah. Dude, sleeping anywhere but our bed is always fun. (yes, he used the word dude.)

Jayden: (in his best groupie voice) I KNOW!


oh to be 3 and 5.

I'm still mourning the loss of my camera and all of Hunter's b-day pictures. seriously.

but here's a few old pictures of the boys to enjoy. Talk about Blast from the Past!!

None of us miss having a house with stairs!!!


Here they are both six months old!



We had to go by Hunter's school today to drop off some paperwork. Still can't believe the little bugger going to be in Kindergarten.

what are you to do?

my plan was to get online today to blog about our 4th of July and to post some of the cute pictures from Hunter's b-day and our fun 4th of July seeing an awesome fireworks show.

but that all changed when I picked up my car from getting it's oiled changed and I found my almost brand new digital camera MISSING. so, in typical Angie fashion, I panic. I run back inside making sure it isn't sitting on my table next to the computer or at my computer desk. Nope. let's see, I took it to the golf course last night and granted, took some extremely cute pictures of the kids while watching fireworks. I remember the battery was almost dead, so I put it back in my case and remember putting it on my arm to carry it back to the car. I also remember setting it in the car next to my purse. so I start tearing my car apart when I find the case to the camera under my seat. strange. I never take the camera out of the case unless it's in use or charging. so I rip the car apart and find NO camera. I'm pissed. I call the golf course, I call the country club, I check with Justin but the camera is no where to be found. Justin remembers me putting it in the car and I remember it being in there this morning when I got in. That only leaves one place it could have gone missing. So I call up to the service station to see who changed my oil. Turns out the young kid who was suspicious looking for the get go. (yes, I know I shouldn't be judgemental but I knew I had a funny feeling for some reason.) I proceed to tell the manager that my car arrived with a digital camera sitting on the floor bed and when I got the car home, the camera case was found under my seat with NO camera. He asks the kid about it and the kid says he knows nothing. what am I to do? I have no proof the kid took the camera, only a very strong suspicion. And the owner of the service station is out of town.

so now I'm down. all of Hunter's b-day pictures were on the camera. all of our fun from the 4th. our waterballon fight, the sparklers, the homemade cookie cake, all the memories of Hunter's 5th birthday. I've already lost so much when my harddrive crashed 3 years ago. yet another birthday of Hunter's gone.

I've spent all afternoon tearing my house and car apart. I've grilled the kids. too many things are just suspicious. like why is the camera gone but not the pink flowery case with the big puffy butterfly? how did the case get under the seat? it couldn't have fallen because there are too many wires in the way. the camera could not have fallen out of the case because the case closes and I know I always close it. the camera had a wrist band and I always put the camera in the case, closed the case and carried it via the wristband. I'm so frustrated. we just got this camera and I loved it. I don't care if the kid took it, just give it back. hell, just give me my memory chip.

Justin called to ask who changed my oil and I told him. he said he wasn't surprised my camera was missing if that's who it was. the kid is nothing but trouble.

Happy 5th Birthday Hunter!

Can't believe my little man is turning 5 today! What the 5 years it has been. He will always be my baby!

We celebrated yesterday with all of his beloved friends at Radi-Jazz and we are having a big family bash tonight.

It's still hard to believe that he is 5!

Hip Hip HOORAY!

Hunter's cast came off yesterday!!


We still have some healing to do but there is re-growth of the bones. He could not have gotten a better gift for his 5th birthday.

Since I live in near the Antique Capital of the World, I've taken on a re-covering project. I always see beautiful antique chairs and sofas I'd love to have but don't want to pay to have them re-upholstered. So, I'm practicing. So that one day that lovely antique wooden high back sofa will be mine.

From this:

To this:

(not finished yet)

oh deer.

3 strikes and I'm out.

last month when my uncle passed away, I was telling the kids we were having to go to Yoakum and we were going to church, that's why they had to dress nicely. that lovely question comes next, WHY?

Me: Uncle Fred was real sick and it was time for him to go to a better place.

Hunter: Did he die?

Me: Yes, Hunter. And everybody at church is going to be sad, but it's going to be okay. Uncle Fred is better now.

Hunter is in tears. I'm left trying to comfort him.

Strike one for mom.

A few days later we were driving by the cemetery and Kreg asks me a question about my grandparents being buried there. So, I decided to drive by their graves. We pull up next to them and I tell the boys that's where Popo's mom and dad were buried, my Granny and Grandpa. I turn around to look at the boys and Hunter is in hysterics, tears flowing and he's trying to shield his face so I can't see. I try to explain to him that it's okay. My granny and grandpa were sick and yes I miss them, but it's okay. I'm not sad anymore. The kid cries the whole way home.

Strike two for mom.

Last week after I spent the afternoon tilling up my front yard, I was explaining to Kreg how old that darn tiller was and that my dad got it back after my Meme had passed away. I turn around to see Hunter was listening to our conversation and is now crying at the mear mention of someone passing away. Through his tears he asked me who was going to get the tiller when Popo was gone? Did I think he could have it?

Strike three for mom.

Shouldn't I be out? Nah....Let's leave it to me to let the poor kid watch Bambi today. 'Nuff said.
And you guys wonder why I don't want a girl to raise.

it's hard to understand.

I know there is a reason that people's lives are taken so young, but this one is hard to understand.

Sherman passed away a little after 3:00 today. His tests showed little to no brain activity so once his family made it up to Austin, he was taken off of life support. For about 15 minutes he was able to breathe on his own but that was it.

This young man is going to be missed. I just can't stop thinking about his family, and girlfriend and unborn child. He had just started working on his grandfather's house to fix up for a family of his own. So much left undone.

the wating game.

thank you so much to everyone who has sent their kind words and wishes. the bee incident has left so many people flabbergasted. and for me, it tears me up inside to see my dad in such agony. he knows he did all that he could but wishes he could have done more.

we don't know much yet but my parents went to Austin last night to check up on Sherman. the 1st 24 hours were going to be crucial. right now they have him in a drug induced coma hoping that his body will be able to recover. they are keeping cold blankets & ice on him and giving him drugs/fluids via IV of course. his body is swollen and there's quite a bit of swelling on his brain. no one knows for sure what happened and where the swelling on the brain is coming from. my dad said when he arrived at the park, he could hear the mower still but didn't see Sherman. turns out, Sherman must have threw open the bars to the mower to stop it from moving and jumped off. the blades were still moving. it looks like he might have tried to head to the river, which would have been incredibly dangerous since the flood gates are open and the river is flowing like mad and he can't swim, and must have collapsed in the process. the swelling on the brain could be from bee stings or from hitting something upon falling. no one knows for sure.

right now, the park is closed. an animal control person drove down there in his truck, honked the horn, and bees immediately surrounded his truck. it's quite dangerous and no one knows what to do at this point.

not only my dad, but his whole crew are worried. of course, no one will ever mow by themselves ever again. as they were working at the library today, little grasshoppers would jump on them and the guys would jump. it's scary.

I will update as I know more. please just keep Sherman in your thoughts and/or prayers. we hope more than anything that he is able to make it through this.

finally.

on our way to Galveston I had time to play with my new cell and finally figured out how to email pictures. here's some from our trip to the ER for the broken bone.

Poor Hunter on both codeine & morphine.


and the 2 breaks. the bone on the right was bent and broke completely. the bone on the left was bent and started to crack.

a cause for concern.

so...I try my hardest to keep the blog upbeat and happy. I find no reason to bring everyone down. BUT today something has happened and I need to blog about it to get it out.

My dad works for the City of La Grange and is head of the Parks and Rec. Department. He and his team of workers are in charge of keeping the parks up. Today a young man, one of my dad's workers, was mowing Northside Park down by the river. My dad receives a phone call from him but is unable to hear anything. Moments later he receives a second phone call and all my dad can hear is, "Mike. Bees. Help." By time my dad and another helper get to the young man, he's striped his clothes off, on all fours trying to puff on his inhaler. Bees are attacking his body and there is nothing my dad can do but call 911. 911 arrives and it takes 4 men to get this gentleman up and on a stretcher. His heart isn't beating and his organs were starting to shut down. They immediately life-light him to Austin. Where we now know he is in a coma and the outlook isn't good.

Turns out that these 'killer bees' form beehives in the ground and any type of movement or vibration rattles them and causes them to attack.

That could have been my dad out there mowing. I'm shaken up over this and more so is my dad. This poor gentleman is 21 years old and has a child on the way. My dad could do nothing to help him when the bees were attacking. It's plain scary. My dad has already called the City Manager and stated that NO ONE is going to want to mow anymore. And I don't blame them.

I just pray that this young man lives. I pray that my dad can shake that image from his head. He's very shaken up right now. He just feels so bad for this young man. I hope that there is something that the city or someone out their can do to try and protect everyone who could possibly come across this.

So please keep Sherman, my dad, and the rest of the crew in your thoughts or prayers.

it's a wonderful day in the neighborhood.

my a$$.

let's see, while I spent the day tilling up my front yard with a tiller that's OLDER than I am and trying to pull up the rest of the vines, Kreg spent the day at Star Ranch playing in a Dell's sponsored golf tourney.

oh.....life as a stay at home mom....wife....gardner....personal shopper....cook....

why is it.....

.....dr.'s always seem to give you medicine to take that makse you so drowsy. and they want you to take it every 4 hours which means you need to be out the whole day but you have kids to take care of. but the pain makes it unbearble to take care of the kids anyway. it's a no win situation.

.....when I try to head to bed early by closing my door, turning out the lights and crawling under the cover's, it seems the kids have to bust in every 5 minutes to ask me questions. my gosh, where's their dad? usually just sittin' there. these muscle relaxers are kicking my butt and I can barely stay awake. yet, as soon as I fall asleep, I hear the door bust open and another kid yelling "mom, mom. mom wake up."

.....I can never remember to put my car windows up when it rains. and this morning was the worse. it smells like a car marked my car for death. febreeze isn't even working.

who knew all that pain was connected.

your on vacation and really don't want to spend the whole time complaining about pain. I always seemed to have had a headache and I kept getting a little dizzy. I blew it off as being in the sun and not drinking enough water. I'm usually guilty of that when being at the beach or pool. As the weekend wore on, my ear started bothering me and I had some pain in my neck and shoulders. I blew it off. Yesterday, I noticed the pain was getting more intense and as the day wore on whenever I would talk or chew I had some significant pain. But, I woke up this morning to Kreg's darn alarm with full fledged swelling and severe pain on the left side of my face, in my ear and all along my jaw bone. It was time to head to the doctor.

Of course, life couldn't' be that easy.

There is no dentist in La Grange that takes our stinkin Metlife Dental Insurance. So that meant back up to Cedar Park it was. The boys and I were only in Austin yesterday trying to get Hunter's b-day party squared away. I call right away at 8:00 and they want to see me at 9:00. Not gonna happen. I need at least an hour and a half. So I'm told to get there as soon as I can and they will see me. So, I'm thinking do I take the boys or not? Justin is in summer school and I'm sure someone in Austin would watch them for me. But, the dentist is a straight shot up 130 to 45. If I took them somewhere, that meant veering off and going less than 70. I'll just take them. How long could I be? I arrive at 10:00 and by 11:30 the boys have played with all the toys, fought over everything possible and were driving me batty. I promised them playtime at McDonald's with a friend for good behavior. That was slipping away fast. I finally turn on the TV in the waiting room and settle them down to finally get called back at 12:15. (yes, thats 2 hours and 15 minutes in a waiting room.) I'm in the room closest to the waiting room when I hear the door open and Hunter yelling "Mom, we've knocked the couch over." Oh my GOSH! At least the dentist's wife has 2 boys close to my boy's ages, and completely understood. They help take such good care of them while I'm being worked on.

By now, I'm in such pain I can barely open my mouth and of course, I have to open wide for the dentist to be able to look around and poke and prod. By time he's done, I'm in tears and I'm much worse off than before. I can taste all the blood in my mouth from the gums.

Turns out - my TMJ has done a number on me. I've haven't been sleeping and I'm not sure if it's because I'm clenching and grinding my teeth and gums so bad or I'm clenching and grinding because I'm not sleeping. But basically I've sent all the muscle's in my mouth and along my jaw into spasms. Severe spasms. And because of these spasms, there isn't much we can do at the moment. And these spasms have caused my gums to be increasingly sensitive. So now I'm on a muscle relaxer, basically all day, to help relax my jaw. Once that's done I'm headed to an oral surgeon for treatment. And all I know about treatment is that draining, splint, and implants was mentioned as options.

so all of this pain I've been in, the dizziness, headaches, ear tenderness and the swollen face are all due to TMJ. what else and how fun.

and just how am I suppose to function while taking muscle relaxers all day?

we missed seeing our friends and the boy's aren't letting me forget.