NO more bottles

My Teague is finally done with bottles. He went for his 18 month check up just recently and the doctor was sure to tell me that Teague should NOT be still drinking milk out of a bottle. I have wished that he wasn't so attached to his "ba ba" but the thought of him crying at bedtime just kills me.

Tonight I toughened up and went for it...no more ba ba's in this house. He cried for just a short time and we both survived.

The LAST Greatwood Geyser swim meet of 2009

Swim team is a BIG commitment! It is a lot of work getting all 3 of the kids to practice each day, getting a sitter for Teague for meets every Monday, getting the kids ready each Monday, packing up the chairs and snacks and of course, getting them all lathered up with sunscreen. Most of the meets, Jerrod or I have a "job" to do too. It's what it takes to have a smooth running season and we are so willing to put forth the effort when the kids enjoy it like the do, but when it comes to an end...it is exciting!! We are looking forward to having a summer of "free time" where we can decide what we want to do and we don't have any commitments tying us down daily. It will be nice to just lay around the house and get together with friends.

The kids have each grown into better swimmers this year. Jackson still doesn't really know if he likes swim team so it has been a challenge to get him motivated for the meets each Monday. I think next year he will be more excited about it and more willing to participate (or at least I hope so!). When I told him that this was his last meet, he said "You promise? Will this be the last time I have to go ALL the way across the pool?!". Emma had a ball hanging out with her buddies. Maddie and Emma looked forward to the meets so they could hang out!!

Bailey's also has a great group of girls to hang out with! She really enjoys all of them and cannot wait to get to the meets each Monday!

Jackson waited so patiently when it was almost his turn to "race" or swim. Here is Emma after one of her last swims for the season.

Here's Bailey getting ready for the breast stroke. She has really gotten good at this stroke!

Emma F., Maddie, Ella and Emma are waiting patiently for their relay team ribbons!!

Babi-kini and Olivia

While everyone was in town for the fourth of July weekend, we saw this Babi-kini in a shop on Main Street. We all oooh'd and aahhh'd over it, but the store was closed every time we went by. On my way out of town today, I stopped by to pick up a friend a gift and saw the little shop- opened!! I just HAD to go pick it up for O. When we got in town tonight, we promptly put it on her and had a photofest!!

Of course, she looked precious in it! Have you ever seen such a thing? Too cute!!

Girls will get you in trouble every time! I would be in so much trouble had Teague been a girl...

Luckenbach

My Mom and Dad came to visit me this week while I was in Fredericksburg without the kids. They have been wanting to come and see the little house and my mom had the time off of work so they came on up to scope things out. We tried out a new mexican food restaurant and just hung around the house most of the time, but today we decided to venture out and see some country.

Our first stop was Luckenbach, Texas. Boy, it was a sight. It was really, really, really small and there was really nothing to it. Just a circle where the General Store was located. The store had a bar in back and the famous dance hall across the street from that. Here are my Mom and Dad in front of the fully functioning Luckenbach, Texas Post Office.

Out in back, there were quite a few people just sitting around listening to music and drinking beer.

We also went to Blanco today but my Dad was so excited to get home and take a nap that we blinked and we missed the cute little town. Bummer.

Decorating magic!!

I was in a little shop on Main street this past weekend with my SIL, Carey, and saw this little wire holder. They had it displayed with pictures and small clothespins. I just had to have one...the only problem is I don't print pictures anymore- I am all digital, urghh!!

Well, that was easy enough to fix so I sat down with all my FREE time away from the kiddos and found all my favorite pictures from the past and current ones. It was so fun!!

I went ahead and printed them, went to Wal-mart to purchase the small clips in the craft section and then attached them to my new "love". I think it turned out pretty cute.

BTW- wouldn't it be cute to use a small antique like gate or anything that has wire to attach the pictures to?

It's like m-a-g-i-c!! Instant decor.

What do you think??

Here it is in the room:So far, I have been able to do some serious "catch up" while my "loves" are away. I was able to print some pictures on line from a professional photographer (these were taken in March) that she gave me after the shoot, I downloaded my blog and printed a blog book that spanned November thru June blog entries with pictures (whew!!) and have been able to organize the house by rearranging rugs and furniture and then some shopping. I have even been able to stay up way late at night (something I never do because I have early birds to take care of...) and of course, sleep late in the morning!!

My parents came to see me this morning and we just hung out around the house today. Tomorrow we plan to seek out some of the small towns close by like Luckenbach and Comfort. I'll report back and let you know what we find!!

And they're off and so am I

I sent my kiddos off with their grandparents on Monday and I have been so lonely since. I could hear the outlet malls in San Marcos calling my name the entire day they left. The sound was so annoying (kinda like the kids can be at times) so I gave in (kinda like I do a lot of the time when the kids call my name) and headed to San Marcos yesterday all by my lonesome for some retail therapy. Of course it was so super boring.... I mean, who likes to peruse the aisles for hours upon hours at the Pottery Barn outlet?? Certainly not me.

It was torturous, so torturous that I spent 5 hours trying to leave that place. It just kept pulling me in- and the later it got, the more stuff they pulled from the back. People, the prices killed me to. I found items much below their regular retail price and it almost sent me into cardiac arrest. Seriously, low, low prices...

Keep me in your thoughts as I suffer this horrible torture!

I got this chair for the little house in Fredericksburg. I thought it was cute...and very different!! Agree? These pillows were another find...This basket was .97!! Yep, less than a dollar!

These came as a set of 3 for $15.00!

This mirror was $14.97!

I am caught up!! Finally!

I have been swamped this summer with all kinds of stuff going on. I have been busy with the kids activities, the birthday party, the move and just everyday stuff that gets in the way of me blogging consistently. I get stressed easily in general but especially when anything with Jerrod's business come up, I shut down.

Then, at the beginning of June I found out that I have something going on with my immune system. I went to the doctor for a check up and he told me that I need to go see a rheumatologist after reviewing my bloodwork. I was by myself at that appointment and didn't expect it...at all so it really threw me for a loop. I held off after initially finding out, but I finally made an appointment with a rheumatologist in Sugar Land so I'll get a more definitive answer in mid-July. It certainly explains why I am always so tired and exhausted. God is in control- I know that.

Through everything, I still take tons of pictures of the family and our goings on so I am able to go back and catch up on the blog from time to time.

I haven't blogged since the beginning of June so if you gave up on me, I am sorry! I am actually caught up now and you can catch up on us, if you'd like. Simply go to the side bar on the left and click on the month of June and all the postings should pop up for you to read.

Thanks for checking back with me! I hope you are having some summer fun...and staying out of the HEAT!