Hello...Hello?

Where is everyone these days? Probably the same place I've been. ...

So, another school year has started. Isaac started Pre-K and LOVES it. His eyes twinkle with excitement. Unless I say we have errands to run after school and then a big bottom lip pokes out, not as big as some but big enough to make me say: I don't ever want to see that look on your face again!

Evann has moved to kindergarten but has her same teacher and classroom. I was slightly disappointed in that because that is half the fun of a new school year: new teacher, new classroom. ... new. Everything is the same for her. Overall it really is fine because we both like her teacher.

Jacob is growing up quickly. Third grade is still so young and yet he wants teenager toys. Money, Mom, I want some money. Jacob, you are too young to be thinking like that! But I want an iPod so I can listen to music. He asked me yesterday, Mom, can I have an iPAD? How bout no Scott. ... He loves music. Loves it! We started this week with basic piano lessons. Truly I am not the one he should be learning from but there is no one else at the moment.

Scouts, soccer, church, life, trucks our days are filled and I am struggling to find time. Organized time. Time that can be captured for just a moment. Time to process the day, heck, the last 5 minutes would be nice too. Time to be a regular family where my husband doesn't have to leave. Where we can go and do as others do. You know, I spend 30 minutes on 1 phone call to get insurance on a pickup yesterday. 30 minutes! It should be illegal for it to take that long on the phone. Every time I call Dish Network it is 30 minutes. Guaranteed. All due to those lousy self automated phone systems. Did you say ... NO I DIDN'T! I immediately am on edge when someone says I have to call Dish. I write this cause I am getting ready to make that call. I really don't want to make that call but I have put it off since the 6th of September and soon enough Jake will ask why I hadn't handled that yet and I will have to say: But, honey, it's Dish. ... Please, I would rather be surrounded by large bouncing crickets. ...Well, I may have to think that one through.

Once again, I write about lost time. Time I am losing right now. Time ticks as I watch my goats cross the street to eat the weeds in the across alley. I must go tend to those escape artists. I am always going after them. They, like children, or most people really, do not like to be caged in. They want their freedom to roam. Roam into the neighbors weed patches. Or perhaps escape us. Nah, they seem to like us enough. Perhaps they are not getting enough food. This would explain why the weeds are always greener on the other side of the street. ...

butterfly herd.

Isaac ran inside the house this morning excited to show Evann something outside. "Evann, you have got to come out here! There is something sooo cool!!

Evann comes back in the house several minutes later and informs me there is a butterfly herd by the tree. A butterfly herd. I was so tickled by the thought.

you betcha.

If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

aaron kelly

I am not sure why I have taken so long with this post. I blame it on not having pictures easily accessible but I know it is sheer laziness.

Aaron was born on March 16th, almost 2 weeks early. We planned it that way so Jake could be there. The Friday before I had an ultrasound to check size and fluid levels. His weight was estimated at just over 7 pounds. I was shocked when he actually weighed in at 9lbs. 6oz. He is all torso, neck, and cheeks. Seriously, look at the pictures.

The kids smother him all day with kisses, prodding, and haphazard jostling. I wasn't sure how Ruben would react to him but he digs the little man.


Isaac is not satisfied until he gives him "a smell and a kiss". He loves Aaron's smell; but who doesn't love that newborn baby scent? Evann thinks he is hers. Jacob "misses that little guy" when he's off at school. I am pleased that everyone has welcomed him.

no sunshine.

Ain't no sunshine when he's gone
It's not warm when he's away
Ain't no sunshine when he's gone
And he's always gone too long
Anytime he goes away

Wonder this time where he's gone
Wonder if he's gonna stay
Ain't no sunshine when he's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime he goes away

This song has been playing in my head regularly. Naturally I changed the lyrics to represent my loving man. ;) This house is not the same without him. We all miss him terribly. Be safe daddy and hurry home. ...

rubbing off.

I have become a football fan. No, not football, Peyton Manning and the Colts. I can watch a game with Jake but unless it's the Colts I don't really watch. I can't always tell what the ball is doing but in time perhaps I will speak with certainty. Probably not. ;)

As the Super Bowl pre-game show drug on I found myself anxious for the game to start. We had fans on both sides which always makes it fun. There were highs and lows but let's be honest, the highs were in the first half, lows in the second. At least for Colts fans. And then all hope was lost. I had a few emotional outbursts. I see that my husband is rubbing off on me. He has mood swings while he watches a game. It's very interesting to me. One minute he's picking up Jacob and they are excitedly shouting together and the next he is grumbling over conservative play. There is so much emotion. I appreciate his passion although I have not always understood it ... I am starting to.

I was saddened for the Colts fall last night but found comfort in the idea of August being only 7 months away. Preseason!

that's nice.

I am not happy. I've been crabby for two days straight. Really crabby. My children remind me of fingernails scratching a chalkboard. It's not pleasant. For you worried women--No, I do not feel like hurting my children, I just want them to stop talking, whining, and for Pete's sake, STOP SCREAMING!! I understand that the 3rd trimester brings back mood swings from hormone changes but seriously? This is out of control.

I have been trying to get some work done this morning with Ruben by my side. Typically on a work day I make them breakfast and put on a movie for them. This typically works great and I can peacefully accomplish an hours worth of work. Today, not so much. Ruben crawls into a high chair and watches Dinosaurs as I work. This is going well. Evann wants to paint her room. Not now dear, I am still working. "OK, mom. I'll just take this paintbrush to my room and wait for you." Ok fine. I'll be a few more minutes. "Well, I will just open the paint can for you and wait for you." (Now, I know I hammered the lid down awfully tight and that she will not be able to open it but gosh dang it, I said NO.) This carries on with some homework that needs to be finished--I need a few minutes Evann. "Ok, well, I'll just start here and do this..." NO EVANN. WAIT UNTIL I AM DONE!

Then there is Isaac on the computer. A horrible computer that always freezes and this is not something the kids understand so they all end up opening 10 windows trying to get the program to come on and then wonder why it's taking so long. "Mom, can you come here for a minute?" Oh seriously, kill me now. My one hour of work has turned into 1 1/2 hours due to the interruptions. Awesome.

So as I sit here with Ruben at my side he is given a drink. He takes a drink then pours out the drink onto the high chair and splashes around for a few moments. I think, that's nice, as I watch annoyed. This is not getting any better. I return to my work since the damage is done and I really have to get payroll processed. I can't deal with it right now because I will emotionally discipline him rather than with love and logic and by that I mean the words not the true Love & Logic program. But I find myself watching him, irritated and curious why a child would think that was a good idea. He crawls out of the high chair and I think, great, track the sweet juice all over the house. This thought doesn't make me get up to clean him, no, I am busy. I have things to do. I watch him get a towel out of the drawer and return to his mess that he diligently and perfectly cleans up. Wow. That's nice. I didn't say anything to him. That was really nice. It brightened my dark and gloomy day to heavily overcasted with a chance of sun by noon. ...

go usa.

Jacob has asked me numerous times, "Why is everything made in China?' Well son, because they can make it cheaper which makes those companies more money. Usually they not only make it cheaper but they make it smaller.

Jacob is always looking at labels. "Mom, what is H-O-N-D-U-R-A-S?" Hm. That is another country the US sends their product for cheaper manufacturing. "Well, what is made in the US?" Not much anymore, honey. "What about Texas? What is made here?" Gosh, what is made here in the grand state of Texas? Not being a knowledgeable native, I go with the only obvious: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. They make calculators. "Well what else?" Hmm ...

Yesterday I read an email from a friend discussing a desire to shop for USA made products. I suppose there is several of these floating around. I caught myself checking the labels last night as I did my grocery shopping. I felt really good when I did find something made right here; mostly the off-brand but I see nothing wrong with that. I end up saving a few cents in the process and perhaps the job of a fellow American.

Try it yourself, see what you can find made in America. You may be surprised!