I am happy

Oh so, happy because Melissa and Jen (one of my awesome new Twitter friends and fellow Sister in Shrinkage) presented me with this lovely award! Thank you, hookers!!!! MWAH!

As always, there are instructions:

1. Copy the image and display it on your blog.
2. List 10 things that make you happy.
3. Try to do at least one of them today.
4. Pass on the award to 10 bloggers who brighten your day.

So here are the 10 things that make me happy!

1. My children. Each and everyday I marvel at their existence. They both have amazing personalities and are truly a miracle.
2. My husband. He spends his weeks in Houston working hard so we can have an amazing life. I don't think I tell him enough how much I appreciate him.
3. My brand new iPhone. It's amazing. I pretty much make out with it all the time.
4. The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. I cannot begin to describe the fulfillment I get from that site. Not only am I improving myself on a daily basis, but I'm watching so many other women do the same. It's a haven for support and love.
5. Food. Yes, food makes me happy. Not necessarily the consumption, but the discovery of new recipes and healthier options. I love sharing my knowledge with others, especially my children.
6. Seeing my children make good choices. With food, with friends, with life. It validates me. It makes me feel like my husband and I are doing something really right. Really important.
7. Running. I love to run. I love to workout. It makes me happy because 1 year ago, I didn't have this love, and I certainly wasn't this happy.
8. My friends. I have some of the best friends in the whole wide world and web.
9. My new end tables. We just got them, and they make me SO happy.
10. Cuckoo clocks. I love them. They are complicated, and beautiful, and they have a little bird who jumps out and tweets at you. How could you not be happy with one of those hanging around? If I could only teach that little bird how to wash the dishes, we'd be golden.

And here are 10 bloggers I'd like to present with the Happy Award, because they make me happy:

1. Lisa
2. Amanda
3. April
4. Brooke
5. Nancy
6. Ann
7. Kirsten
8. Tiffany
9. Audrey
10. Karena

You totally need to visit all of them right now, because they will make you happy, too!

On Principle

prin⋅ci⋅ple
  /ˈprɪnsəpəl/ [prin-suh-puhl]
–noun
1. an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct: a person of good moral principles.

Yesterday we ran out of BJ's favorite veggie straw chips. He promptly asked me to add them to grocery list, and was shocked when I told him they didn't have them at our grocery store. You see, I stockpile buy them at Costco in Austin when I'm visiting Lisa.

He told me I could probably find them at HEB (Texas grocery store chain), and I should check there. Brian immediately piped up and reminded BJ we don't shop at HEB. Ever.

Why, daddy?

Son, daddy has principles. Do you know what that means?

Nope. WHY can't we shop at HEB?

Because I thought his reasoning was somewhat asinine, I told Brian he needed fully explain why we don't shop at HEB. So he did. And I got up to read a book, because, ho-hum, I've heard the story enough times already.

Brian proceeded to tell BJ that when he was in college he worked at HEB. He asked the manager for the week of spring break off, because he couldn't stay in the dorm that week (I forget the reason), and he needed to go home. The manager told him that was fine, so Brian took off and returned the next Monday ready to work. Only he wasn't on the schedule. When he asked the manager why he wasn't on the schedule, the manager told him he'd assumed he'd quit since he didn't show up for a week. Brian reminded him of his request, but the manager snorted (I'm just adding the snort for story-telling sake) and said he had no recollection of that conversation.

(Let me give you a little background here. My husband is the most reliable, hard working, honest person on the planet. Even when he was a young punk kid working at a grocery store in college.)

To make a longish story short, after that Brian did not work at HEB anymore, and he swore he'd never, ever spend a single dime there again. EVER.

BJ, we don't shop at HEB because they treated me like trash.

But daddy, I'm sure they won't treat you like trash at the HEB in Kerrville. That's where Miss Mindy (pre-K teacher) works and she really, really loves it. They don't treat her like trash.

Son, it's all about principle.

Exactly what does that mean, daddy?

At this point I zoned out a little bit because I was, after all reading, and not really eavesdropping on their conversation, but Brian finished off the explanation on principle with this nugget:

BJ, do you believe in God?

Yes, daddy, I do.

Well, I believe in not shopping at HEB.

After hearing my husband explain it to my son, I guess I realized that sometimes principles are all we've got. I think it's an important lesson for our children, too. They need to have morals and values, and know how important it is to stand up for the rules of personal conduct. Even if it means making a promise to yourself to never spend your hard-earned money in a grocery store because they treated you like trash when you were employed there. Especially then.

So that is why we won't have any veggie straw chips in your lunch for a very long time, BJ. Well, at least until we go back to Austin.

Six Years

Of wedded bliss.

Six years ago today, I was in Las Vegas staying at the Bellagio. I was also 12 weeks pregnant with BJ.

Can I tell you how magical the Bellagio is? It's unbelievably magical. So magical in fact, that after the first time I ever saw it, I decided, without a doubt, that I would be married there. You see, I know you're thinking, 'oh, she got knocked up and had to have a hasty Las Vegas wedding.' But nope, the plan was always to get married in Las Vegas at the Bellagio. The whole knocked up thing was just a little added specialness!

So six years ago today, I was probably in the spa at the Bellagio getting my hair and nails done. Squeal! The spa at the Bellagio. A dream come true. Or perhaps I was at one of the many restaurants trying to find something on the menu that sounded good to a newly pregnant almost newlywed. Or I could have even been at the blackjack table trying to win quick hand before tying the knot in the amazing wedding chapel. All I know, is that I was so excited to be preparing for my dream wedding to my dream man. And it was a dream come true.

After our wedding, we hoofed it up to the 36th floor Penthouse for the best damned wedding reception I've ever attended. We were so fortunate to have 50 of our closest family and friends present - I mean, who's not looking for an excuse to go to Vegas, right? We had an Elvis impersonator, great food, an amazing carrot wedding cake, enough boos to sink a ship, and a view of the dancing fountains and the entire Vegas strip. AMAZING.

And now, 6 years later, Brian and I still reminisce about that day and how wonderfully magical it was. How special it was to have all of our friends and family there. How fortunate we feel to still be so in love after 6 years!

And you know what else? We can't wait until our 10th wedding anniversary when we plan to do it all again. Are you there? I am so THERE!

Changes in Lattitude - A look back, part 3

You can read the first two installments to my Changes in Lattitude series here
and here.

When we made our offer on the house in Leakey, they didn't accept it, but we expected that. We went back and forth a couple of times and finally agreed on a price. All of the paperwork was signed and submitted! We were well on our way to our dream - owning a piece of the Texas hill country! That's when the reality hit!


There were so many variables flying around. Would we be able to sell our house in Houston? Where would Brian stay during the week in Houston? Would I be able to get anything besides dial-up Internet at the new house? How would we fit all of our stuff into a smaller house? A house with one less bedroom and no pantry or garage or laundry room. Where would we put all the extra stuff?


In the end, we knew it would all work out. We had faith in our decision. We closed on the new house a little over a month later and started getting it ready for move-in. Getting it ready consisted of cleaning it and um, cleaning it. We bought it furnished, which meant that it came with bare bones stuff like a dusty futon and pressed wood end tables. Mmmm-hmmmmm. Our budget was pretty much shot since we now had 2 mortgages, so needless to say, we couldn't afford to hire an interior decorator ;)


A month later we put our house in Houston on the market. Boy, that turned out to be a long haul. It didn't sell for almost a year.


Everything started to fall into place. One of our first weekends at the house, we met a great couple who had also recently moved to the area from Houston. Meeting them was an unbelievable blessing that we wouldn't fully realize until after we'd completely moved in.

Over the next three months, we would drive back and forth from Houston to Leakey with car and truck loads of our belongings. Sometimes I would stay during the week with BJ while Brian went back to Houston. It was fun and new and exciting.

In November, three months after we closed on the house, we were completely moved in and I was ready to make the transition from living in Houston to living in Leakey, full-time. It was exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time. It was exciting because we'd finally be living our dream, full-time. But making this transition also meant that our family would be separated during the week. Brian would be in Houston during the week, coming home on weekends.


You see, I didn't take into account the loneliness I would encounter after the move was final. I knew it would be hard to be away from Brian, but I never imagined how hard it would be. Those first Mondays are imprinted on my brain forever.

On Mondays, Brian would get up at 4:30 a.m. to make the drive the back to Houston. Most of the time I would get up, make coffee for him, and see him off. I would put on a brave face, but most of the time I would cry myself back to sleep after he left. It was tough in the beginning. But it got easier. And better. Each and every week.

BJ had just turned 3 when we started living in Leakey. He was a little confused and he really missed our old house. I think the hardest and most confusing part was when we'd go back and stay in the "old house" with Daddy in Houston. He just didn't get it. And on the weeks we stayed in Leakey, Brian would tuck him in on Sunday night and tell him he'd see him 4 more night-nights. Each and every night, BJ would talk to Brian on the phone before bed and (and still does) ask "how many more night-nights until you come home, Daddy?" Sigh.

BJ and I kept very busy during the week exploring our new home and we went on so many adventures. We hiked and drove and went to this place and that. All along I wished that Brian was there with us, but we both knew that none of it would be possible if he was anywhere but Houston. The weekends were filled with fun activities with Brian though. Lots of time spent in the river and hiking.

While Brian was always a great dad, he's really shined since we've made the move. He carves out time for us each day for phone calls, mainly at dinner and bed time. BJ loves our "conference calls!" And when he's home, the kids and family time are #1, which is awesome. He is the most "present" dad I've ever known.

So now, it's a little over 2 years later. We've added another child to our family and we just celebrated our 3rd Christmas in our hill country home. Two years and 4 months later, and our life is pretty much the same. Brian comes home on the weekends and we make the occasional 5 hour drive back to Houston to visit family. We look forward to holidays when we know he'll be able to spend a little more time at home. I still long for the day when we will all be together everyday, but I know it won't happen for a long, long time. Unless we get lucky and win the lottery. But that would mean we'd actually have to play the lottery, right?

I like to joke that we've added years to our marriage by being apart so much! I can say that our marriage is stronger than it's ever been. And it gets stronger every day. Every.single.day.

Hit the road

I've spent the better part of the evening GLADLY addressing Christmas cards for my hubby's business. My hand is very tired, but that's okay. He has lots of clients, and that's a good thing.

Earlier today he asked me what I wanted for Christmas. Yeah, we're real romantic like that. I told him I wanted to go to Indiana to see Beth. He said, "done!" I was all like, "FOR REAL?"

Of course I was already sitting on the couch with my laptop, ruby, so I jumped online and emailed Beth. I told her that all I wanted for Christmas was her. Isn't that so goofy and cheesy? But it's true! So we agreed on a weekend and I found a flight and was giddy with the price, until I got to the page where I have to pay and realized that the price I'd seen was for ONE WAY. And then my heart skipped a couple of beats. Because I'm actually buying 2 tickets, one for me and one for BJ (thank God Mia doesn't need a seat yet!) So the price I thought was so awesome, was actually only half of the actual price. No wonder it was such a good stinking deal. Sheesh.

So then I looked over the monitor at Brian, the husband who had gladly handed me his credit card 5 minutes earlier to book the awesome deal of a flight, and said, um, honey......it's actually twice as much as I thought. (fingers crossed) He looked at me and I must have looked wildly insane completely heartbroken because he said, "if it's what you really want for Christmas, then go ahead." Wow. He's really, really good to me, don'tchathink?

Right then and there I decided that for the next year month week, I'd gladly do anything he asks. (It's a good thing he's only home on the weekends, right!) Plunge the toilet that BJ just clogged with poop and TP? No problem! Address a gagillion Christmas cards? Sure! Wipe Mia's snotty nose AGAIN? Love to! Clean the grout with a toothbrush? I'm on it!

A little bit later I was on the phone with Lisa planning and scheming our next trip to Austin, the week between Christmas and New Years. We were trying to decide if we might actually be able to sneak out of the house for a dinner sans kids for the first time in oh, forever. Seriously, I don't think Lisa and I have ever dined without kids. EVER. Okay, maybe once, but I don't really remember it because we were probably both drunk. With JOY, y'all. Drunk with joy. Gosh, get your minds out of the gutter.

Our conversation moved along to the girls trip we hope to take in 2009. The trip that hinges on both of us being done breastfeeding our kids and NOT being pregnant. My goodness. One of us has been breastfeeding or pregnant for the past 2 years and it's really cramped our ability to do anything without a kid(s) attached to us in some way. So, of course, we have no idea when this trip will take place, but girls can plan and dream right? Sometimes it just helps you get through the day when you know that the big, bright lights of Las Vegas are at the end of the tunnel. Did I say Las Vegas? Mmmmm-hmmmm. At least that's the plan for now. Moms in Vegas. Dangerous. We've already decided while we're there to pretend like no one's ever called us Mommy.

And that leads me to Blogher. Which happens to be in Chicago. Very near to Beth. So not only will I get to see Beth, and hopefully Crooked Eyebrow and Stephanie, and Sarah and Arianne in January (SQUEAL!), I'll also get to see them in July. Ohmygosh. Just pop me now. And with any luck, Lisa will join us in July, and probably even Amanda and Melissa. Seriously, in the words of Beth, I just might DIE. I'm feeling pretty McDreamy.

So, 2009 is shaping up to be the best year ever for me. I seriously don't think I need to make any resolutions except to have fun, enjoy my friends, and travel safely! Oh, and kiss my husband alot.

Take a hike

Today we ventured to Lost Maples State Natural Area, a park about 1 hour from our house in the hill country. Last weekend was peak for leaf color, but apparently no one told the other 1,349 people there hiking and taking pictures. It was still breathtaking, even if the trees were mostly bare. Oh yeah, I took a few pictures of the family too! Take a look for yourself!

All packed up in the backpack carrier.

Don't you just love that bluebird hat on my Lovey Bluebird? I got it here.

There were a few trees with some leaves!

These were taken on our front porch last weekend. The view is fabulous!
Check out that tongue action!
Love this profile shot

Greetings from Austin!

Yesterday the little ones and I arrived in Austin for an overnight at dear friend Lisa's house. And right now? We're packing up to leave. It's been quite possibly the shortest visit I've ever had with her. And it's killing both of us that we have to go.

But we have to meet up with the daddy. Because we haven't seen the daddy much at all this month. The last weekend he was home was BJ's birthday weekend. Let's just say it's been a mad, mad month.

So today we're meeting daddy in Salado for lunch and some family time. We'll spend the night in Round Rock and then part ways tomorrow. Him to Houston and us to Leakey.

I'm sure I'll have more time to post tonight or maybe when I get home.

Hope you're enjoying your family time this weekend. Don't take it for granted.