And we're off!

Well, Shannon just got in town and there are already stories to tell. Two words: spray tan. Let's just say we may come back from our trip whiter than when we are leaving. It's always fun when we get together!

Betsy

I remember the most random stuff from my childhood. There is this moment I remember so vividly with my Grandma Bea. I was spending the night at her house and it was raining really hard outside. We were standing at her front window just watching the rain come down. Grandma said, "Look at old Betsy getting wet." So I looked. I didn't see anyone. A few moments later Grandma said, "Betsy sure is getting wet out there." Again I looked. I saw no one. I was very confused as to why Grandma was letting "Betsy" just stand in the rain and get wet. And who was "Betsy" anyway? Could Grandma see something I couldn't? Did I need glasses? Or did Grandma need to see a doctor? I remember going to sleep that night very concerned about "Betsy". Throughout the course of the next year Grandma referred to "Betsy" on numerous occasions. Sometimes it was "Old Betsy", but usually just "Betsy". It wasn't until after she had died that I finally figured out who "Betsy" is. I was looking at some old pictures with my mom. There was one picture of my Grandma standing in front of her car- a really old red station wagon. My mom said, "There's Grandma with Old Betsy." It finally dawned on me that Betsy was her car. You can imagine the relief I felt that my Grandma was not this horrible person that lets people stand out in the freezing rain. I guess this makes me laugh because I too have named my car. Or Shannon named it for me. Back in October Shannon gave me a gift after we ran the Chicago Marathon together. She got me personalized license plates that say RNR GRL. That is when Runner Girl was born. I can't just say "my car" anymore. It has to be "Kids, go get in Runner Girl." Or "Do you remember where we parked Runner Girl?" And when it rains I find myself thinking about Runner Girl getting wet. Grandma would be proud.

Good Parenting

I can't turn my back for a second. It's also a lttle disturbing that he can't leave the house right now without putting his "hat" on. This kid lives in a bubble.

Search for the Perfect Dress

Next Sunday Shannon and I will be leaving to go on a cruise with our mom and dad. I wish I could give details as to our itinerary but truth be told I was not paying attention a year ago when Steve planned it. I am sure he's got all of our travel info neatly printed out and alphabetized and filed nicely in his new travel portfolio (thanks Janelle), so all I have to do is show up. I don't really care where I am going. It's a week without kids so I could literally spend every day in my car in the garage and be happy. Here's the dilemma: Shannon and I need help determining which beautiful dresses we should wear on our formal nights. There are 4 to choose from and the top two will win. I do realize that some are not quite as modest as others but my choices were limited. Also keep in mind that the first 2 need to be tailored so they will look much better after that.
























Please help us out by leaving an opinion. I know the answer should be to bring all 4 (they are all so beautiful), but we are trying not to pack too much so we are going to share. And for the record, I was posing like that on purpose. I think it adds to the quality of the dress.

Let it Snow

One fun thing about Texas is that once a year it snows. It was 80 on Saturday and will be 70 by the end of the day tomorrow, but today was fun. The kids went out and made a snowman and then insisted that I serve them hot chocolate in the tub. Oh to be a kid again.

Sweet Cheeks

Fletcher is now a stander!!! He finally figured out that it is not necessary to squeeze his "pee pee" so hard that it turns blue. I'm pretty sure he is going to need Shannon's fertility doctor's number some day. There really is nothing cuter than a 2 year old butt in tighty whiteys (with a few monkeys).

I Feel Extreme Guilt for Not Posting

If Janelle can add a new post then I guess I can too. I wish I had a really exciting story to tell but truth be told my life is pretty uneventful. Maybe that's a good thing. Here's an update: Fletcher is finally potty trained!!! He decided one morning that his diapers made him feel like there were bugs in his pants and from then on he has gone on the big boy potty. Or should I say big girl potty...he is a sitter. I don't quite know when I should be concerned about this, but for now I am just ecstatic to not have to change another diaper for the rest of my life (there is no 4th child debate in our house). Macey is a funny kid. She is missing 4 teeth including her top two. As awkward as this stage is for kids she somehow manages to make it cute. She had to make a really big decision this past week regarding her life as a self proclaimed athlete. Over the last year she has been playing on two soccer teams, doing competitive cheer leading, playing basketball and volleyball , and taking an art class. She swears she LOVES it all and can't give anything up. Well, her soccer has recently been taken to the next level and it will now conflict with cheer. She had to pick. Soccer won. It will be hard for her to sit back and just watch her sister and friends at the competitions but in the long run I think she will be happier and more rested. Cali is almost 9. I can't believe I have a nine year old!!! It is so fun to watch her try and figure out who she is. She does cheer and swimming and is a very talented artist. I am really trying to teach her that being unique is a good thing &to try and find her own style. That is a very tough concept for kids to learn in elementary school. Luckily she has 2 very interesting and fashionable aunts to look up to. One of her favorite things is to go to California and go shopping for school clothes. It's fun for her to be able to find stuff that all the other kids don't have. Ben is doing well. The practice is plugging along and plans to sell are still in the works. He turns 36 on Sunday. Wow! I think this makes him officially old. And I am not far behind. The other day at the grocery store the boy bagging my groceries insisted on calling me ma'am. I finally had to say to him "Do I really look like a ma'am?" His response, "yes ma'am". That's nice. Other than feeling old not much else is new with me. I did do another marathon on Saturday and yesterday was able to figure out how to install a towel bar in my bathroom. Very exciting. Anyway, that's about it. As much as I would love to have an exciting and interesting life I should be thankful for boring.