Superstar!!!

My sweet girl was in the musical at church on Sunday. The production was called Simon Says - about the trial of Simon Peter. All of the kids were amazing!! Kids from K thru 5th grade participated. They really were great! Elaina had a few small solo parts and she did phenomenal - she was really nervous but got right up there and sang nice and loud - and might I add on key!! She most definitely got that from her Daddy! I was so proud of her - seriously she was so adorable!! Donna, Nelda, and Dawn did an amazing job with these kids!! I helped but was mainly crowd control - you know....stop touching, quit kicking, pay attention - don't flick that on people...that sort of thing. I'm good with crowd control - I'm the mean Mommy who makes you mind. Elaina's the one on the left in the flower skirt.

After church was over we went home so the guys (Alvin, Aaron, Luke, Jake) could get ready for the Macho Man cookoff. This is an annual cookoff/contest for guys at church. After everything is tasted and judged the dishes are auctioned off and the proceeds go to the Sr. High Mission Trip. Alvin, Luke, and Jake all won 1st in their age group. Aaron was a little bummed he didn't place since he's won the past two years - but he still had a ball. The guys got super cool chef hats as their prize. Although it's a lot of work and he's rushing around like a crazy person cooking with 3 boys- Alvin loves doing stuff with those boys. I hope this becomes a tradition for them.

Alvin is to the far left, Jake in front with the grey striped shirt and Luke in the back second from right.

Aaron was cleared by the Orthopedist Tuesday. YEAH!!! He can do anything he wants as long as it doesn't hurt his arm. He was really ready to play ball! They had a game last night and he ended up with a double! Since he's a switch hitter he batted left to keep pressure of his right arm. He did OK in the field - had a good play from right field - need to get some strength back before he'll be 100%. They ened up winning 7 to 3 against the Astros.

The Starz didn't fair so well. For some reason the girls are in a major slump - tons of strike outs, many many missed balls in field - really not great. Last game Elaina struck out both times at bat - she seemed afraid of the ball which is totally out of character for her. After a little work with Daddy and Bubby - she was ready this time. She got up to bat and hit (but fouled) four times - she ended up getting on base because the pitcher hit her - but we were really proud of how she tried so hard to hit! We wouldn't have cared if she struck out - she was ready for action. She even got to pitch a little bit and struck one girl out!! WOOHOO! Look at her go! Lookee Lookee Aunt Julie!! A lot of practice in the future - but she was excited about pitching.

The first year in fast pitch is a tough one - it'll get better. As long as they keep learning and having fun Alvin says he's done what he hopes to do. Many baseball and softball games coming up. More later.........

Two Peas Blog Challenge

Share on your blog about your weekend plans.. what are your plans?

We have a very busy weekend coming up. Friday - softball practice while I clean the carpets. Saturday - softball game at 10:30 and then straight to the church for dress rehearsal for "Simon Says". The kids have been working really hard for this musical. I am nervous about Sunday - I hope it goes well. We'll see - working with 30 K thru 5th graders can be challenging. My friends Donna, Nelda and Dawn have been amazing. So glad I'm not in charge - I'm more for crowd control. Sunday the kids will perform the musical during both church services. Then Sunday evening is Macho Man cookoff. Alvin will be cooking with all 3 boys again - Sandy and her beau will be coming over so maybe Alvin will have more help this year since the girls aren't allowed in the kitchen. BUSY BUSY BUSY - but loving it!!!

"Just a reminder, that in the midst of the daily mucky-muck, or when you find yourself wishing for all the things that aren't quite right, like pants that fit or money to burn or houses that are clean…just that reminder to surround yourself with those you love, and hold them as close as you can for as long as you're given." .......Written by Cathly Zielske on her blog.

After reading this - I want to shake myself silly! This weekend I was trying to get the house somewhat livable again and lost it a couple of times with the kids. It seemed as if they had completely lost their minds. I couldn't clean as fast as the house was getting dirty.

Yes, they should pick up after themselves (but I could be much better at it myself), yes, they should respect our house, us and their belongings (see prior parenthesis), but at the end of the day if you feel like you have done nothing but gripe and yell and nag and criticize, then something is wrong. My babies (ages 12 and 9) are good, kind, loving kids. They are typical kids though - they are going to leave clothes and dishes laying around, fight with each other and be a little sassy once in a while. But compare them to others their age and I really, truly am proud. They are respectful to adults, they love GOD, they are extremely well behaved, really - just great kids!

I must to be a better example for them to follow. They are following my lead. If I clutter, they clutter. If I criticize, they criticize each other. If I look for blame - they will not accept responsibility. If I yell, they will never speak respectfully. If I half-a@# a task, they will do the same. But, if I can exhibit patience, accountablility, practice what I preach, tell them I love them more, pray with them more, not sweat the little things, work harder, say kinder words then they will ultimately follow suit. My worst fear is after they are grown the strongest memories of me will be of me griping, nagging, criticizing. I can not allow that to happen. It is up to me. They are too important and precious. They are my life. I need to remember this. There will be times when they will need to be nagged and reminded and reprimanded - but there is always a right way and a wrong way to do this. At the end of the day, when I lay my head down the last thing I want is regrets. When they lay their heads down, I want nothing in their mind and hearts but the knowledge that they are loved unconditionally - no matter how much mud gets on the carpets!

Two Peas Blog Challenge

What character traits do you deem vital/important, when considering someone as a close friend in your life? blog about it.

For me it's honesty. I want someone who will tell me if these pants look aweful and if I have spinach in my teeth! ;D A true friend will honestly tell you they love ya, but your'e acting like "a you know what today", but understand why your acting like " a you know what" also. I want a friend (and am lucky to have some) that isn't afraid to be honest and true - someone who won't just say what you want to hear. A slammin' sense of humor wouldn't hurt either!! :D

Let it be known...

According to my sweet Elaina...... Do you think she will still think this at 15?

Two Peas Blog Challenge

Are you clumsy or graceful?

Oh my! I am sooooo clumsy. I can trip over nothing! I hope my kids don't inherit that from me!

The girls (me, Elaina and Hannah) had a girls day today. We went shopping today for a belated birthday treat for Elaina. Grapevine Mills. Build-a-Bear, justice, Old Navy and much more! FUN FUN FUN! It was kind of funny because we barely started and Hannah was saying she was tired - Elaina and I looked at each other land laughed because we are major POWER SHOPPERS! Just call us the shopping energizer bunnies! I was kind of cool to see the girls shopping with their own money. They were definitley more careful consumers since it was their money they were spending. They both love Justice but decided they could get more for their money at Old Navy! Atta girls!!!! I love getting something that I will wear a lot, that's cute and doesn't cost a bundle!!! Gotta admit, though, I'm kind of pooped! We walked miles around that mall!

Alvin is still working on the pool cabana - he is such a hard worker. If our kids inherit even a tenth of his work ethic they will go far in life! He is really making our home nice for us. I have decided he can be my cabana boy when he's done!! ;D.

So cool!!!!!!!!!

Check out these pieces of jewelry made by an artist on Etsy. Her link is

http://www.etsy.com/featured_seller.php She also makes pencil sculptures. These are so beautiful. If I could justify it, I would definitely buy one!!!!

You'll never guess...

IT IS SNOWING..........IN TEXAS.......IN APRIL!

HUH! ARE YA KIDDING ME?

Aaron's trip to Six Flags with the church youth group has been canceled. The wind chill is supposed to be 27 degrees!!

They were supposed to go to the Casting Crowns concert at Six Flags. Weird Texas weather! It's going to be a COLD Easter morning. So much for wearing the cute little sundress Elaina bought for church and the Easter egg hunt! Bummer! Grandma always takes her shopping for a new Easter dress each year. This year Grandma couldn't go so she gave Elaina money for her birthday and she bought a CUTE dress from Justice. Oh well, she'll just have to wait a while to wear it to church.

Two Peas Blog Challenge

The Two Peas blog challenge today is to write about what one thing, time and time again, always brightens your day? For me it's two things. When Aaron (almost 13) just walks up to me out of the blue and hugs me. This makes me melt! I know this may not last forever - so I am soaking it up!! He really is a great kid! Also, when Elaina makes me little crafty things that says she loves me. I love when she draws me pictures. I have kept tons of them. A couple of weekends ago I was sick and Elaina made me two "get well" pictures. So loving! I'm a lucky mama!!

I felt so bad for Aaron last night. His team had practice and he just had to watch. His spirits are really low. It's going to kill him Monday to have to sit on the bench and watch his team play without him. A few more weeks and we'll have his arm x-rayed again. Hopefully it'll be better.

Two Peas Blog Challenge

The blog challenge for today was to post my favorite movie quote. This was reeeeallly hard to narrow down. I am a HUGE movie buff. So I listed one of my favorites and one of Alvin's all time faves!

Mine (although he loves this one too) is from the move A League of Their Own. Click the link to hear Tom Hanks say "There's no cryin' in baseball!! I love this movie!!! Hilarious! Great story too.

http://www.wavcentral.com/sounds/movies/league_own/locry.mp3

One of Alvin's all time favorite movies is Tombstone. His favorite line is from Doc Holiday played by Val Kilmer - "I'm your huckleberry." When we were in Colorado we even climbed the mountain where the real Doc Holiday is buried to visit the gravesite. I was pretty cool. People had left playing cards an mini bottles of whiskey by his tombstone. Someone had also carved I'm Your Huckleberry in the fence surrounding the plot.

Still working on the Bahamas album, but will take a break tonight for Bunco. Tonights entry fees will go toward Relay for Life - awesome idea! Maybe I'll win something!

Two Peas Blog Challenge

The blog challenge for today is to blog about your current project - I'm really excited about this album - I know it's not as complicated and fancy schmancy as others but it's my first 8x8 album. Plus we had an amazing time on this trip. Here's another peek... I made the circle dots with paint. The original is much brighter than the scan. Lovin' that drink girl!!

Started our Bahamas Album!!

So far I really like how it's turning out. Here are a couple of the pages. When I'm done I'll post a link to TwoPeas so you can view the entire album.