Cuteness Overload

Well, Monday, we meet again. This past weekend, friends, was epicly busy. Between Moonlight Madness at Baylor, the Heart of Texas Fair and the big paintball/sleepover birthday party there wasn't a dull minute to be found.

And did I mention our refrigerator went out on Friday? And that our new one was delivered smack in the middle of the sleepover?

Good times. But I'm so thankful it went out now and not after Dave has knee surgery. Oh wait, I haven't mentioned that here. Guess the cat's out of the bag...and now you know what we'll be doing on 11.11.11 :-)

I do have a slew of pictures to share but for now I'll just leave you with this overload of pure cuteness.

He's been in a super cuddly mood lately and he's even chosen to snuggle with me instead of his dad on several occasions. I chalk it up to the fact that I'm his ride to daycare, which means I'm his only option when it comes to seeing his girlfriend, Lexi.

Someone really should have cleaned his little allergy eyes before taking this picture. Oh wait, that would be me...

Happy Monday, y'all - see you tomorrow with the Moonlight Madness recap :-)

Weekly Top 10 - The Sickly Edition

Given that this week is almost over and that I've spent most of it in a drug-induced stupor (ie: antibiotics, two types of steroids, Mucinex and Singulair), I'm recapping last weekend in a bit of a different way than usual...and here we go....

1. Last Saturday we headed to Floyd Casey Stadium early to tailgate and watch the Bears beat Iowa State. It wasn't always a pretty game but they got it done and it' a 'W'. I'll take it! There was a special guest on the sidelines...some like to call him Big Phil!

2. The evening before we'd been to another football game  - Midway v. Waco. All week I heard about what a rivalry this game is but, quite frankly, I think that's really a one-sided feeling. It doesn't seem to resonate much around our neighborhood. Either way, it was a...let's say...spirited game and we ended up losing by two points. That's all I'm going to say because my mom was adamant about that whole 'if you can't say something nice...' thing...

3. It was the weekend of pink game, which I dearly love, and our drill team did a great routine that showcased their hot pink in style.

4. My girl hasn't been to the fair yet because I've been so sick. I feel absolutely terrible about it, y'all, but there's not a whole lot I can do to fix it. I am praying I'll be able to take her for a bit tomorrow without having a full blown asthma attack. :-)

5. The big paintball party is almost upon us. Due to me crashing after work every day this week, I'm taking off tomorrow to prepare though I'm still not sure we're ready for a party that includes boys on the invitation list...

6. I am terrible luck for the Rangers. Know why they keep winning late? Because by that time I'm asleep and no longer watching. You're welcome.

7. Sometimes your best friend for a week or so truly is cough medicine. Just sayin'...

8. I find it atrocious that I'm more concerned about Baylor's safety this weekend (due to multiple threats on many different levels) than the actual football game. That's just ridiculous, in my opinion.

9. I added some lowlights to my hair this week and I really don't like it. I'm thinking it might have something to do with me having zero color in my face right now, though. Guess time will tell...

10. Who Dat! It's been a while since I expressed my genuine love for the Saints so there you go...

Happy Thursday!

To My Daughter on Her Birthday

My Dearest Taylor,

Today is your birthday! Yes, you are 12 on the 12th and if your mood this morning was any indication, you're really excited about finally reaching this new milestone. I truly could not be more thrilled to see unabashed joy in your face this morning, sweetheart, as you deserve nothing but the best today.

Age 11 was interesting and challenging on so many levels. Not only are you growing up (much too quickly, I might add) but you have also mourned the loss of a beloved pet and a sibling you weren't able to meet in person since you last blew out candles atop a sugary cake. By all accounts, this has been a difficult year for our family but you, my darling, have made even the darkest days bright.

Twelve years ago I held a beautiful baby with a ton of jet black hair and realized - in an instant - that life as I knew it was over. I had no idea it was possible to fall completely in love with a tiny bundle so quickly but you had me in a split second. Though I had no idea what I was doing (and still don't at times), you were (and are) my pride and joy. There is nothing I wouldn't (and won't) do for you.

But now you're growing up and the reigns have been loosened a bit over the last year. You spend a lot of time with a sweet group of girlfriends (and you're such a good friend it blows me away) and don't want to hang out with me nearly as much as you used to. But at the same time, we have the most amazing conversations these days and you continue to blow me away with your sense of humor and compassion. I pray all the time that you'll always retain a love for the unusual, the less traveled path and your quirky sense of style.

You are growing into your own person and, quite frankly, you're turning out to be a really amazing young lady. But make no mistake, my precious girl, you're still my baby. And I'm still your mom. I will always be here when you need me and even on those occasions when you don't think you do...but I know better.

There is no greater responsibility in my life than being your mom and that's why I pray every day I won't mess it up. :-)

Know, sweet girl, that you are the apple of my eye and all those times you think I'm hanging on too tightly, it's still just a fraction of how desperately I want to hold and protect you from this world. Because that's simply not a possibility, my greatest goal for you is to know that no matter what happens, there is One you can turn to at any time. One who will never leave or forsake you. One who has amazing and unexplainable plans for your life.

And - praise Jesus - you do know, love and trust Him.

You, Miss Taylor, challenge me every day to be a better person, have an uncanny ability to strip any amount of pretense from a conversation and see the good in any and everyone at all times. I love those things about you and know that God alone instilled those qualities in you because there is no way you got them from me. You are my greatest joy, darling, and I cannot wait to see what year 12 brings.

Love,
Mom

The Oreos

So the girl is playing volleyball again this fall. We have been truly blessed to have amazing coaches the last two seasons and Taylor has learned a great deal. This time around, they are calling themselves The Oreos and have the socks to prove it!

Don't they look adorable? And doesn't she look way grown up in this "action photo"?

They even have matching hair bows.

And, quite frankly, that may be all we have going for us this time around. But that's ok - not every team you land on is a powerhouse and she's made some new friends, which makes my social butterfly incredibly happy.

On another note, please know that this posts lacks any really exciting material as I have now been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. Apparently steroids are great in a lot of ways but they also suppress your immune system. Who knew?

Well, obviously some people know but I did not...so I'm WUI - Writing Under the Influence. Of antibiotics, an inhaler, Mucinex and some new pill that's apparently not on our insurance's formulary... :-)

So y'all have a great Tuesday and stay well! 

Miracles Do Happen

Yes, after an extended break due to an allergy flare landing me both in bed for two days and on steroids (a double dose, mind you, compared to last time) for seven. To say I'm a bit on edge would be the understatement of the century. Yes, the century.

I don't like steroids a bit but they were my only option. They're a bit of a rollercoaster as well so some days are productive while others are clearly not. :-)

We had a busy weekend full of football again but I've yet to download any pics (your retinas can send thank you notes) but I did snap a few with my phone last week that I wanted to share if for nothing but posterity's sake...

First of all, it rained yesterday. In Texas. Almost six inches in Waco. Y'all, it was glorious. And I was feeling pretty good and had lots of energy (one positive side effect) so I went into full on cooking mode. And I don't mean the healthy kind!

First up was a favorite of both the man and the girl. The rain wasn't doing his knees any favors and he'd been super busy at work on Saturday so he was due a treat. And this week is the girl's birthday so she's got the upper hand at the moment...

May I present our 7-Up Pound Cake?

Ok, so I cheated and used Sprite Zero...it was still good!

One of our other favorites is my late mother-in-law's King Ranch Casserole. You might be wondering how hers is different than other recipes. Well, there's a secret ingredient...

Truth be told, I only saw her use the Nacho Cheese flavor but these have been brought back for a limited time so I thought we'd give them a whirl. And that whirl turned into a delightful waltz of the taste buds, friends. Yum!

And finally, while our boy was at Dogtopia last week he got his nails cut. Because they're currently donating a portion of the proceeds to breast cancer research, he was gifted this snazzy bandana. 

Real Dogs Wear Pink, Y'all!

Happy Columbus Day, friends!

He's a snuggler...

...not a fighter, friends...

Nutty the Squirrel

We live in a neighborhood that is home to a plethora of squirrels, y'all. They. Are. Everywhere. They are also not afraid of people. Or cars. The latter of which is evidenced by their affinity to play "Chicken" with vehicles driving down the road.

Yes, the squirrels play Chicken. Oh, the irony is rich.

When we moved into our house almost five years ago, the girl named what she thought to be the one squirrel living in our yard. His name was the ever popular Nutty. Truth be told I think there are about 20 squirrels in our yard but she is always convinced it's Nutty when ones comes out to play.

And if you think I'm willing to argue with a 'tween over a squirrel, you are wrong, friend.

Now fast forward to this summer.

The girl and I turn into the driveway one evening when it's sweltering out. I stop the car immediately at the sight before me and we just sit for about 10 seconds. The girl and I then look at each other simultaneously and say, "Did I just see what I think I just saw?"

We both answered with an emphatic "YES!"

Why? Well, because it's apparently so hot outside that Nutty (and probably a number of his friends) just threw caution to the wind decided being run over was a risk they were willing to take if only they could find a cool place to take a nap.

So this is what we saw...

And, no, he/she didn't move for quite some time. In fact, even when Nutty decided to move it was after long deliberation in the upright position...

Clearly it's too darn hot in Texas when the wildlife is willing to contemplate death before deciding if going back out into the non-shaded areas is worth it.