Bless You!

The boys think this is hilarious!!!! (so do I!) Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Today we start making the rounds, visiting family, eating more turkey than we can imagine, scarfing down delicious homemade pies, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and rolls. And most importantly, spending time with family talking about football, our lives, what we are thankful for, and just enjoying each other. I love this time of year. I love everything about it. I have so much to be thankful for that I feel like my little heart might explode. What a crazy and wonderful thing this life is. I love it! I wish you and your family a wonderful and thankful thanksgiving!

Music and Muffins Piano Class

This is from our Brenham Music Academy Newsletter. Thought I'd post it on my blog too.

I am now into the second month of my Music and Muffins class and still very much enjoying it! The curriculum we are using was designed for busy adults (that's me!) and is challenging but slow paced so I never feel frustrated or bored. As the weeks progress, I am finding that sometimes it's difficult to make time to practice even though I really like practicing, want to learn new songs, and work on the concepts that are introduced each week in class. I have realized that with three kids I'm not going to have a daily set aside time to practice so I look for opportunities to take a minute or two during the day to pull out my music book and play. Even if it's just 2, 3 or 5 minutes at a time. It's a few minutes that I'm doing something that I enjoy and something that is important to me. I am glad that I am in a group. I know that I would have quit (again) by now if I were taking private lessons. I feel committed to these ladies and if I lag behind it effects the progress of all of us and that is motivation to find the time. This may sound silly but I feel like I'm part of something important. I see the enthusiasm and commitment that my fellow piano students have and it excites me! I am building relationships with neat women, learning about more than just quarter notes. When this class ends I will walk away knowing more than just how to play the piano. There is so much more this class has to offer my life. It has enriched me in so many ways!

The Boys

The weather was beautiful last week! Here are some pictures from a day at the park with Daddy!

My Shining Star...

Hunter: Mom, there are 100million stars out tonight.

Mom: Yep!

Hunter: They are beautiful! They are for you...

Playhouse Restoration Weekend

My dad built this playhouse almost 21 years ago. I remember him working on it on the weekends, my step mom walking on the frame before the floor was put down, and the excitement and pride I have always had for this massive, beautiful piece of work. My dad works for an electrical company that sets poles and such (I don't know all the ins and outs of his job...all I know is that as we drive by places he tells me "I set that pole...my crew did all that pole work"...etc. I have always been so proud of my dad!) Anyway, he built the playhouse out of cross-arms from work. Yes, the WHOLE things is built out of cross-arms. He's a crazy man. He builds everything out the darn things. I asked him if his house was framed with cross-arms. He said no, but he really wanted to. I'm not surprised...

So, 21 years later the playhouse needs some work. John, my brother Terrey and my dad made all of the appropriate repairs to our beloved playhouse and now J & H can play, pretend, and run around on it like I did as a kid. I have great memories with my cousins and sister out there. "Big girl talk" about things like New Kids on the Block, school projects, and boys at school (of course!). This was also the headquarters of Honey Comb Drug Safety Club where I was the president and our motto was "We Burn Drugs" Man, that makes me laugh now!!! Oh the minds of 8 year olds! Wow, the memories.... it's hard to believe that MY children are playing on my playhouse now. Time passes so quickly...

John and Terrey

My dad!
Note the large crack they are supporting with another beam.

The playhouse!

Another view

The little house on top.

Thanks guys for your hard work to restore our awesome playhouse!