Up, up and away

The kids and I went out looking for adventure today. And, we found it at the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area in Fredricksburg. I wondered if climbing to the summit with all three kids and no other adults would prove to be too much for this mama, but we did it...and we had a blast! And, no one even got hurt! The weather was perfect, the children were eager, and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to make some special memories. And you, my friends, get another slide show to enjoy!

Springtime in Texas

[Somewhere, there are words within me. I just know it. But, the pictures are easier to get to and to put together late at night, so you will have to settle for yet another slide show. However, the pictures are really quite lovely--if I do say so myself--so, enjoy!]

Sweet Berry Farm

A Beautiful Life

All pictures were taken at Mercer Arboretum in Humble.

El Jefe

Jeff does not like to be featured on the blog, so I will probably get in trouble for this post. But, I don't think he really reads it that often, so maybe I'll be o.k.

While we were having lunch today, Jeff was telling me that he had set up a meeting with a couple of CEOs. Ruth wanted to know what CEOs were, so we explained. Then, I told her that Daddy was a CEO. "Really?!" she said, completely shocked. "Really?!" Max mocked. And, I have to admit, that I forget this fact from time to time myself. I mean, the baggy shorts--which are his daily work attire--just sort of throw me off.

All kidding aside, I want to say how very proud I am of Jeff for building his own business and for making it successful! He is excellent at what he does and deserves some kudos.

Takin' Care of Business

• prayed with my husband before the sun came up
• worked out
• read the Bible with my children and taught them about the Lord
• called a glass company to come give me an estimate on replacing a pane of my leaded glass front door (casualty of an over-zealous greeter)
• set up an appointment to have our sprinkler system repaired (casualty of a stinkin' cold winter)
• hired someone to mow the lawn and clean out the flower beds (after losing the battle to our own lawn equipment on Saturday)
• made a hair appointment
• did mountains of dishes
• sat on the floor in multiple bathrooms, reading board books, just waiting for something to happen
• helped someone with his preschool workbook and his reading
• paid bills
• played my personal best on "Popword"
• watered the houseplants
• put clean sheets on my bed
• made a pitcher of sweet southern mint ice tea
• talked about the future with my sweetie
• read a bit of "The Help"
• consoled crying kids
• distributed pain meds and kisses as necesary
• made a semi-gourmet dinner (sausage-stuffed Portabella mushrooms)
• burned the garlic bread (trying to make my momma proud)
• saved room for dessert

It's not a glamorous life, folks. But I wouldn't trade it for anything! 

Easy and Delicious

Cocoa Puff Candy

Bring to a rolling boil: 3/4 c. sugar, 1/2 c. Karo syrup, 1/4 c. honey (Your're dissolving sugar in sugar here, people. How fabulous is that?!)

Stir in: 1 1/2 c. peanut butter. Mix well and then add 5 c. Cocoa Puffs (or your favorite off-brand).

Drop by spoonfuls on wax paper, foil or other smooth surface. Let cool. Try not to eat all in one setting.

Now, about that weekend...

Not so cool

We arrived home this afternoon from our wonderful long weekend. I may have more to share about the weekend at another time, but what I simply must tell you about is our return home.

When we got the van unloaded, the children made a beeline for the yard to stretch their road-weary legs. And, I made my way to the mailbox to see what bills lay hidden there for me. In a rare moment of mailbox joy, I found fun mail--a package, no less--addressed to me! Woohoo! I tore into the package from my Secret Relative to find Easter chocolates, not yet a puddle of chocolate syrup, but well on their way. I quickly plunged them into the fridge, noting that there was something of a smell emanating from the appliance, which I assumed was from some produce that had gone bad while we were away. I had no time to investigate right then, as screaming kids seemed to be coming at me from every direction.

Later, the children came in from playing with a powerful thirst. Ruth opened the freezer for ice and said, "Uh, Mom. I don't think our ice maker is working...and it smells kind of funny in here." I quickly made my way to the freezer and confirmed, to my horror, that the freezer was, indeed, not working. Nothing was even remotely cold. And the stink and the mess nearly knocked me out. Then, I opened the fridge below and found that it wasn't the least bit cool in there either...and the smell became worse.

Here, I panicked momentarily as I wondered if my thinking the thing's death had actually caused it. Just last week, I was begging Jeff for a new fridge--not really because we needed a new one, but because I was just tired of this one. I sheepishly went to him proclaiming my innocence in connection with the fridge's demise, suspecting he wouldn't buy a word of it. And, then I set about the task of clean-up--which proved my innocence after all, because there is no way I would have intentionally wished this upon myself. I'll spare you the disgusting details, but as I was about to finish up, Jeff walked into the room and noted that the light was on in the fridge. This, he thought, was odd if the thing really had given up the ghost. So, he asked if I had checked to see that it was set on the proper temperature. That's when I found out we had been sabotaged. The dial was turned to the "off" position, plain as day. I can't name the culprit definitively, but I have a pretty good guess who it was...

I almost cried as I threw away all that food--for more reasons than I can count. And then, I almost cried again when I realized I wouldn't be getting a new fridge after all.  It was the kind of welcome home party I hope we do not repeat anytime soon!