And there Off......

Yesterday was the first day of school and the first time in 10 years that I have been home alone all day by myself. It was really quiet and I found myself looking at the clock counting down the hours until the kids came home. I worry now more that Kate is in school, but she was excited again this morning to get up and get ready so I guess that is a good sign. Braeden was especially nervous because he is going to a new school where he is changing classes every hour. He absolutely loved it though. I think he feels more grown up. Joshua was really nervous and shed a few tears, but he has come such a long way since kindergarten. Over all it was a really good first day of school.

Late Night

We had a YW "late night" last night. It was tons of fun! We made pizzas, played board games, rocked out to Rock Band, danced with Dance, Dance Revolution, ate lots of yummy treats, and watched Penelope (which was a super cute movie). We have such great, goofy girls in our ward! I love them to death!!

Prime Time

As I was sitting at Braeden's football practice last night a huge, shiny, black Escalade pulled up right next to me and blocked my view of the practice. I thought to myself...How Rude! I then recognized the person that got out of the SUV.....it was "Prime Time" other wise known as Deion Sanders. He brought his son to practice with one of the younger teams. He was quite inconspicuous until the end of practice. He just sat and watched all the kids practice. Then several of the kids and parents realized who he was and got very excited. Braeden didn't understand what all the excitement was about. I told him that Deion Sanders was watching the all the different teams play football. All he said was....Who's he? I told him he was a huge football player in the 90's and that he use to play for the Dallas Cowboys. He still wasn't to impressed....not a big deal to him.
Now if it had been this guy, it would be a whole different ball game.

Run-Off

I don't know what I was thinking, but I challenged Braeden to a run-off yesterday. The challenge was to see who could run a mile the fastest on the treadmill. For a 32 year old and someone who really isn't a runner I don't think I did so badly. My time was 11 minutes and 1 second. Of course, I didn't win. Braeden's time was 9 minutes and 20 seconds, and he did it barefoot. As he put it.....he smoked me!

Busy Saturday

I am so glad the weekend is over.....Saturday was jammed pack with stuff we had to do. We first went to our primary activity and had "Popsicles in the Park". Kate had been talking about this activity for weeks so there was no way we couldn't go. The primary presidency brought tons of popsicles so the kids went crazy. I think Kate had one of every flavor.

So, from the park we went directly over to see Braeden's first football game. Well, it was actually a "preseason" game. (people take football so serioulsy around here) I guess it was a good thing it was just a "preseason" game because they lost. Braeden was so nervous, but he did really well. He played the whole entire game. He plays center on offense, left nose tackle (is there really such a thing?) on defense, and he is also on the specialty team. I didn't get many pictures but here are a few....

These first two pictures are of the boys just doing some tackling drills before the game. I didn't get any pictures of the actual football game. Those will come later in the season. That is Braeden on the right getting ready to tackle that big guy.

It was sooooo HOT!!!! Joshua and Kate were very miserable in the heat.

When the football game was over we went home to cool off and have lunch. Cary ran to do some church visits while I cleaned up the house. When he got home we decided we better go and get school supplies. School starts 2 weeks from today and we are very behind on getting everything in order to start. While we didn't get everything on the list, we did put a dent in it so I feel a little bit better about that. After our shopping trip we came home to get ready so that Cary and I could go chaperone a bunch of teenagers at a church dance. I love working with the youth but this is one of my least favorite things to do. Although, I shouldn't complain because the music was good and I did get to dance with Cary. (which we never do) So, that was our Saturday condensed into a few paragraphs and it wasn't even everything we HAD to do, but I will spare you the boring details of our lives! The week before was even crazier, but I won't even begin to let you in on that either. I don't say this often but I am loving that today is Monday!

2008 Summer Olympics

I am so excited for the Summer Olympics to begin tonight. My favorites are the swimmers, the divers, and of course the gymnasts. I will be sitting in front of the TV tonight with my Orange Julius and Parmesan popcorn watching the opening ceremonies. Let the Games Begin!!

The Countdown Begins

The countdown to the beginning of the school year has begun.....only 19 days left of summer vacation. I registered all three of the kids yesterday and am beginning to feel sadness that I will no longer have Kate to tag along with me everywhere I go. (sniff, sniff) I love summer vacation and am not ready for it to be over. :(

Cary's Favorite

I found this recipe several months ago in a Kraft Food and Family magazine that I get every few months. I made this Speedy Chicken Stir Fry and it has become one of our favorites, especially Cary's. It is so easy and quick and soooooo delicious!

8 oz. angel hair pasta
2 c. broccoli florets (I have also used carrots...and I think snow peas would be delicious as well)
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1/2 c. Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
2 T. soy sauce
1/4 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. crushed red pepper
1/3 c. chopped, dry roasted peanuts

Cook pasta as directed on pkg., adding broccoli to boiling water for the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking time. Meanwhile, brown chicken in nonstick skillet on medium high heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until cooked all the way through. Stir in dressing, soy sauce, and seasonings. Cook 1 minute. Drain pasta and veggies and add to chicken mixture. Sprinkle with peanuts and...... ENJOY!

Still Here

We are still alive...nothing new or exciting is going on. We are just trying to endure the Texas heat and trying not to melt in the process. We are going on our 24th day of over 100 degree temperatures. In fact, on Friday we officially hit 107 and today it is suppose to get to 105.
So this how we spend our days............................

Sweet Kate

I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.

I am a child of God.

Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I’ll live with him once more.

Chorus: Lead me, guide me,
walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

This is Kate's most favorite song. As we were getting ready for church this morning we sang it over and over and over again. I love hearing her sweet, little voice. At one point she stopped me and asked, "Why do our knees need to be brave?" I wasn't sure what she was talking about until we sang it again. It's ..."and so my NEEDS are GREAT". It was so funny........and sweet!

Numismatist

Numismatist is what a person who collects coins is called. We have our very own. Joshua has become somewhat of a coin aficionado. I think it all started with a quarter map that I got before he was even born. For as long as I can remember he has loved that thing. We have been collecting all the state quarters for years and we are finally down to the last year. We only need 5 more quarters and our map is full.
While at Epcot this year, his love for coins grew when he found a souvenir that had 12 different coins from 12 different countries. He had spent almost all his money when he came upon this treasure. It was 14 dollars and I think he only had about 9 left. So, Grandma feeling sorry for him pitched in the extra money and he was able to acquire these new coins. His collection has grown with coins that Cary gave him from Guatemala. He has even purchased some off of EBay. And most recently we took him to a coin shop and he was in heaven. He could have spent hours in there. He was able to find quite a few interesting coins to add to his collection. Here are a couple of pictures from our recent excursion.....

Braeden Update

Braeden is feeling better. I took him to the doctor Friday morning and he had strep throat. The doctor said she had never seen a hangy-bobby (uvula) so big and swollen before. I think she was kind of excited about it because she brought somebody else in to look at it. So, they gave him some Tylenol with Codeine while we were there and then of course prescribed some Amoxicillin. He feels so much better today and is excited about going to football practice tonight in full pads. :)

p.s. Braeden is 5 ft. 1 in. and 82 lbs....yikes!

Poor Guy :(

This is what Braeden did all day.......(the lump in the bed is him)




This is who he was suppose to spend the day with......

Braeden decided he wanted to play football this fall instead of soccer. We got him registered, and he started practice 2 weeks ago. He loves it but is a little apprehensive. There is a lot to learn and he is the "new guy" on the team. So to my above pictures.......last week he was told that he was picked to go to a camp put togther by Dallas Cowboy,Terrell Owens. He was so excited! It was a 2 day camp from 8:30 in the morning till 3:30 in the afternoon. I was a little nervous to send him but this opportunity doesn't come around very often. So, Yesterday morning we got up bright and early (5:45a.m.) to send him off to Duncanville. When he woke up he said his throat was sore, but I thought it was just because he might have slept with his mouth open. He had no fever so I sent him off with a hug and kiss and told him to have fun. When he got home last night he was beat. All the boys who attended fell asleep in the car on the way home. Braeden said it was so hard. He had a good time though and got to talk to T.O. He even got to try to catch a pass from him. He also saw Marion Barber and Sam Hurd, both Dallas Cowboys. He was so exhausted and his throat was killing him. We didn't think he would be able to go back today, but we told him we would make the decision in the morning. I went to wake him up this morning and he had a fever and his throat was hurting even worse. I felt so horrible for him. He wanted to go back so bad. Today was the day they were going to get pictures and autographs. He sobbed and sobbed. I don't think I have ever felt so bad for him. He wanted to go and just tough it out, but there was no way I could send him in 100 degree heat for 7 hours. He is still feeling bad, but a tiny bit better. Who knows, maybe he will get this opportunity again some day. (sorry for such a long post)

Something to Make You Go ...HMMMMM

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship. … There are no ordinary people. … Your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses” - C.S. Lewis, quoted by Susan W. Tanner, former General YW President

Delicious

My mom made this pound cake while I was in Missouri. It comes from a Paula Dean cook book. We made strawberry shortcake out of it and it was sooooooo good. I made it yesterday to take over to a friends house and it got rave reviews.

WARNING: It is very fattening....if you are even wondering how many calories are in this cake....turn away now!

Cream Cheese Pound Cake
1 1/2 c. butter, soft....the real stuff, NOT MARGARINE
1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese, soft
3 c. sugar
6 eggs
3 c. flour
pinch of salt
1 t. vanilla
1 t. almond extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 10 in. bundt pan. Cream butter and cream cheese with electric mixer until fluffy. Add sugar and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each one. Gradually add flour, until all is added. Add salt, vanilla, and almond extract. (I didn't have any almond extract so I used 2 t. of vanilla) Pour into bundt pan. Bake for 90 minutes. The cakes is done when a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 15 minutes. Invert cake on to wire rack and let cool completely.