Fabulous Army Life

Today is National Coffee Day.  I celebrated at home with my own Starbucks brew (prepared by my fabulous husband before he left for PT) and my new favorite creamer, Coconut Creme. I also spent the day preparing for a battalion Coffee planned for tomorrow night.  I'm hosting at my house and I'm really excited to meet some new spouses and spend time with some that I know and already adore.  It's a super group of ladies and I look forward to seeing them. I was working on the Coffee roster when my youngest son sat down by me to check out what I was doing.  He glances at the document on the table with "Coffee Group" at the top of the page and picks it up.  He is immediately disinterested and says, before dropping the paper back on the table, "What's this? Oh, well, I guess it's not for me ... I don't drink coffee ...and I'm not in a group" ... and walks away.  Love that kid.

Several years ago, I was "boo'ed" for the first time.  Not in a "Boo! Hiss!" kind of way, but in a fun, neighborly receive-fun-gifts kind of way.  At my front door, I found a Halloween bag full of candy and goodies along with a poem that encouraged me to "boo" another neighbor and a "I've Been Boo'ed" sign to post on my door.  Since that time, we've made this an annual tradition, starting about the first day of October.  There are several variations on the same theme when it comes to the poem included.  This year, I found a new poem that I like and plan to use ... This treat is for you, we hope you enjoy. The idea is simple, one we hope you employ. Simply pass a "BOO" along to two other neighbors, Along with any kind of Halloween favors. If we all do our part, and spread the good cheer, By Halloween night, it will be very clear, We're a friendly bunch; we like to share fun … So please do your part t...

 One of the many fun items in Salado!  I was so happy today to take a break from endless to-do lists and hang out with a friend in nearby Salado.  Neither of us had the time to spare to spend a day away ... which made it all the more sweet that we did it anyway!  Salado is a fabulous little community just twenty minutes away from home.  Chock full of boutiques, craft shops, bed & breakfasts, and tea rooms, it's a fun place to get away from day-to-day stuff.  So we did! We started with lunch at a yummy little tea room then made our way through several fun shops.  The pillow in the photo was one of many cute items that are made purely for fun.  Love it!  We walked and chatted and laughed and perused through tons of crafts, jewelry, shoes, clothing, home decor, gift items ... oh, and did I mention jewelry and shoes?  LOTS of fun ... and a day much needed.  Now it's back to my real life, starting with mounds of laundry....

My oldest boy is thrilled to have his very own, shiny-brand-new, rent-to-own violin! My oldest son is in the 5th grade this year.  He has been anxious to join the school's orchestra for the past three years.  In that funny way of how things happen, he decided he wanted to try the violin in the 2nd grade ... the orchestra was for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders that year.  He enters 3rd grade and the school changes the age for orchestra to 4th and 5th graders only.  He is disappointed, but patient.  Fast forward another school year and he can't wait to sign up.  Only now (you guessed it!), the orchestra is now exclusive to 5th graders.  He's sad but sure he'll be able to sign up next year.  So now, after two long years of waiting, he's in the orchestra!  He's only had a few rehearsals so far but is very excited.  It's fun to see him so motivated and I look forward to the year of violin ... home practices included!

I was just reading a fun blog, " Click Clack Mom " ... and the author, Amy, is hosting a cool giveaway.  Turn YOUR blog into a beautiful hard-bound book!  The link is here: A Month of Giveaways: Turn Your Blog into a Book You can enter to win your own 40 page book RIGHT NOW until Friday, September 17 at noon, E.S.T.  Check it out right away!

 Cave Painting Painting using ONLY a paintbrush ... held in his mouth! Showing off his clay work. Sketching of underwater scene ... with amazing drawings of a dolphin, crab and octopus. Art project

Some of our classmates at the 2009 Homecoming game ... yes, our 20 year reunion! My hometown will celebrate it's homecoming football game this weekend.  I won't be able to be there for it, but many will flock to the stadium to cheer on the Sanger Indians.  My nephew, age 9, will be a part of the festivities this year as a young football player.  Too cute!  I was able to go last year, our 20 Year reunion year (!!) and had a fabulous time catching up with old friends. Homecoming was always a super-fun week in small town Texas high school.  A week of crazy dress days, pep rallies, and displays of school spirit!  Since football reigns supreme, this was a huge event in my little hometown.  I loved it all every year ... and reminiscing about it brings back a flood of fun memories for me. The traditional bonfire pep rally was held the night before the big game ... and was always guarded carefully lest past students set in on fire early! The pep r...

My boys having fun with our neighbors' Mac ... Photo Booth is a huge hit! Boys will be boys ...  A new view.

Big HUGS to Marty who blogs at " Barefoot & Pony-Tailed " who nominated me for the versatile blogger award!  I know it's a little silly to be too excited, but it's so nice to have someone recognize your random ramblings of life!!  Thanks, Marty! Want to win your very own award? Here's how... Tell 7 things about yourself, link back to the person who nominated you, and then nominate a few of your own bloggers who you feel deserve to be recognized. ~*~ About Me ~*~ I am married to an amazing man ... and have loved him since I was sixteen years old.  Our first date was on May 19, 1988! Two young boys fill my heart and life with love and joy ... we have a ten-year-old and a seven-year-old son. I absolutely adore Autumn and cannot wait for the oppressive heat of central Texas to subside long enough to get out the pumpkin and scarecrow decorations. I love Jesus and am happy to be a part of a wonderful church. I'm an Army wife of 17+ years and still lov...

 My husband and me after our high schools played each other in football.  By the way, the cute kiddo in the red jacket?  That's my husband's adorable little brother ... the GHS ball boy at the time, now a successful pastor, husband, and father.  You would think he was experiencing the agony of defeat, but no, his team crushed ours.  It was truly an ugly game; his high school had just moved down into our district and killed us, 45 - 0.  Ugh.  I was just happy to be with him, though.  Young love!

1985 Freshman Squad of Sanger High School I became fan of football early in life. As a child, I remember watching the Dallas Cowboys faithfully every Sunday during football season. My sisters and I would compete to see who could get the most jersey numbers and names written down on each team by the end of the game. Bonus for knowing the players' positions! My parents and grandparents were all avid fans and I had already attended countless high school games by the time I was old enough to have peers actually participating in the sport ... which in Texas means about the 3rd grade. I vividly remember freezing games where we would drink hot chocolate non-stop and occasionally retire to the restrooms to thaw our hands and feet under the electric hand dryers. I remember stopping to eat with the team after the games and being in awe of these high school heroes that I had cheered for each season. One player was so renowned during the game that the entire crowd would cheer for him .....

We enjoyed a fun Labor Day this weekend and really packed in the fun!  On Friday night, my in-laws were sweet to stay with the kids while Hubby and I attended a social at our brigade commander's house.  The commander's wife is also a Soldier and will be deploying soon so we gathered to wish her well on her travels.  It was a really fun night, including a yummy BBQ dinner, beer and margaritas, and a karaoke contest ... which we won!  We sang "Lean On Me" ... it sounded terrible but we got 98% on accuracy! The boys in the Great Wolf Lodge. The next morning, we headed out to Dallas for the Great Wolf Lodge.  It was our second trip there and was a lot of fun, although it was super-crowded.  I dropped the boys off with their dad at the waterpark to start their swimming fun and headed across town to see Dad at the hospital.  He looked great and should be going home in a day or two.  I picked up a stuffed orange-and-white UT football at th...

The start of Fall always makes me think of football season, cheering fans, and the great tradition that is American football.  It starts early in Texas and is as serious as any sport can get.  Kenny Chesney's new song "The Boys of Fall" brings back a flood of fun memories for me ... my small town football team, cheering from the sidelines, and the joys that come with being a part of something bigger than yourself.  I loved my days as a cheerleader, adored the girls who were on my squad, and still see the hero in all the football players I knew back then.  Here's to a super football season and to all the boys of Fall! Lyrics to "The Boys of Fall" When I feel that chill and smell that fresh cut grass, I'm back in my helmet, cleats, and shoulder pads. Standin' in the huddle, listenin' to the call, Fans going crazy for the boys of fall. They didn't let just anybody in that club. Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood. To get t...

Dad is doing well after his surgery. Today he was able to enjoy his first meal in eight days! It was broth and crackers ... and was hospital food ... but hey! It was food.