Life with three divas...

Cooties

Haleigh taped these next to our dinner plates the other night. Too cute.

If a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words...

***WARNING: You do not want to read this post. Trust me. It's gonna be boring. This is one of those "just so I don't forget the little things" posts that's more for me. And maybe my mom. Read on at your own risk, if you insist. But if you get done and feel like you just wasted 5 minutes of your life that you'll never get back, don't come cryin' to me. :)***

I'm sitting here  eating my breakfast. The house is quiet. Everyone's gone. Just me and Ginger. And this is what I'm looking at.

Let's take a closer look and see what's going on in Amber's world. 

This? This drives me crazy. As you can see, the nail on the left is coming out of the wall and has tugged a significant line into the sheet rock. I can wiggle it back into place and it levels the rack out. But then the girls hang their backpacks on it and it goes back to this. It's on my honey-do list. Right up there with baseboards and touch-up paint, new trim on the porch and tile in the laundry room. But none of that, and I mean NONE of that takes precedence over the finishing of The Thesis. Yes, I capitalized it. It has been in our lives long enough to deserve a title. It has become a pronoun, if you will. The Thesis. 

Ah, yes. Here we have Haleigh's Pizza Hut Reading Chart. You read with your child, write the titles of the books on the cute little pizza wedges, turn it in, and you get a free slice of pizza. It was due on the 10th. (Dangit!) And you'll notice it's blank. Not because we didn't read...I just forgot to fill it out. Which, oddly enough, is why I stuck it on the fridge in the first place. To remind me. *sigh* Moving on. The picture behind the pizza thingy is an adorable picture Haleigh drew to illustrate the variety of gourmet cupcakes she would like at her next birthday party. Which is a little hilarious, because I made cupcakes for her last party but she pouted and cried because she didn't get a full-size cake. We've been watching cupcakes wars. She must be coming around. You'll also note my keys hanging on the magnetic wreath hanger that never got put away after Christmas last year. Yes, I said Christmas. Don't judge me. It's dual purpose, obviously. Oh, and don't forget to squint really hard and check out the cutie patootie vintage of pics of me and Warren when we were just wee little crumb-snatchers.

Here we have the flyer from Taryn's fundraiser for camp. In fact, I think the orders are coming in this week. Mental note...call the school and double check. Behind the fundraising flyer is one of Brooklyn's infamous self-portraits. She almost always titles them with "I Love Brooklyn. I Love Me." Notice how she has the "gleaming" hashes surrounding her glorious self? We are not worried about her self esteem in the least. Oh, and the coupon. Yeah, that was for $2 off a greeting card at Target. Sadly, it expired last month.

I know it's not much to look at, but without this baby I'd be lost.

I love this. It is a sweet subtle reminder that my children are often lovely and charming and darling and thoughtful. Believe me. Sometimes I really need those reminders. 

Ok, so either some people aren't getting their chores done, or we need a new system. Actually, I've been thinking the old chore chart needs make-over. It's been my experience that whatever you use for getting stuff done around the house, it usually only works for about 3-4 months. Then the novelty wears off. Gotta keep 'em on their toes, I always say!

Ahah! See?!! Evidence that my children are weird. They actually BEG to do homework. They're all over this math workbook like a grandma on sudoku. It's hilarious. And frustrating. The math is too advanced for them (Haleigh and Brooklyn, that is) but they don't care! They whip out that calculator or break out the counting cubes. And when all else fails, they hunt down Warren and I and force us to tutor them. Last night at dinner I remarked, "Brooklyn, you really like numbers, don'tcha?" To which she replied (in quite the haughty tone), "You mean numerals." Ok. 

This is my new favorite freshening spray for Ginger. It's sweet pea and vanilla. I love it. She hates it. Right next to the spray bottle is the piece of cardboard I'm using as the template to cut out all the squares for the hot pad holder service project we're doing at Super Saturday. I've only cut out about a dozen. Help! They need to be ready by next Saturday! In the jar to the right is a sad reminder of all the plants I sprouted from seed earlier in the spring, only to watch my garden roast and die in the oppressively hot and dry summer we had this year. Ugh. It was the pits!! Really. I can't remember a worse summer.

And that just about wraps it up. From my point of view anyway. 

Watching me watching you

Pay no attention to the scary face...I haven't put my make-up on yet. Do you know what this picture means??!!!

That's a picture (taken by the camera I thought I lost) of me taking a picture of my lost camera using my new camera! Is your brain about to explode yet? I know mine is. So let me break it down for ya. Warren (being the super sweet guy that he is) got me this great little Nikon for my birthday last week. And guess what happened? My Canon (that's been missing for months...like really, I tore the house apart guys!) just magically reappeared the very next day. So now I have two cameras! This may seem unnecessary, but let me assure you it is the perfect arrangement. The Nikon is small and easily portable making it great for tossing in my purse just in case I run into anything picture worthy throughout the day. The Canon takes excellent pictures and has a much greater zoom, so I can tote it along for the important shots. Yay for cameras and birthdays and husbands! Oh, and kids...without whom my camera would be sorely underused. 

Music for Grandad's Funeral

One of Grandad's favorite hymns was one called His Eye Is On the Sparrow. I had never heard it before. I think it's beautiful. There are many different styles and arrangements of it. I prefer this one since it would be more appropriate to be sung in church. Maybe I can suggest it to our choir director. Another one we sang was In the Garden. This one I have sung many times with my mom and my sisters. It's another pretty song. You can listen to it here. My sisters and I sang How Great Thou Art straight from the hymnal. But the harmony was nice and everyone said they loved it. My only regret is that we did not sing more often for him while he was still living. We need to do that for Memaw. She loves music so much. Maybe my sisters and I can put together a family concert for her for Christmas! We could even get all the great-grandchildren involved. One of my all-time favorite Christmas songs is Candlelight Carol by John Rutter. The kids could totally sing the soprano line of the chorus. You can listen to it here. 

 

Ginger

One of the things I asked for this year was a dog. Warren caved. I found the sweetest little pit terrier mix at the shelter. I named her Ginger. She's technically my dog, but she's a great fit for the whole family. She's especially got a soft spot for this guy.

She's very well behaved. Which surprised me. I've never met a well-mannered pit. And they have such an unfortunate reputation for being aggressive. My nephew told me a joke the other day. "What do you get when you cross a pit bull with a collie? A dog that bites your face off and then runs for help." Ha! In fact, pits are great family dogs. They are often bred for fighting because of their incredible muscle mass. (Pound for pound they have more muscle than almost any other breed of dog.) This is where the aggressive stereotype comes from. In reality, they are more inclined to be docile with their human masters. They are eager to please, easy to train, and are very loyal. Ginger is really great with the girls. She loves to fetch and play tug of war and run. But she also knows how to chill and be calm. She's only 1 1/2 but is nearly out of the puppy phase completely. She sleeps very well in her kennel at night and doesn't even whine or bark. We really got a good one! 

Sticky Buns Breakfast Ring

Ok, so I've decided to start MAKING/DOING instead of just PINNING! (If you don't know what I'm talking about, head on over here and get with the program already!) Well, a little while back I pinned this Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring recipe from a cute gal over at All Things Delicious. And delicious is exactly how it looked! So I made it this morning (with a few of my own modifications) and thought I would share. 

I didn't take any pictures of the process...only the end result. (So if you want a step by step pictorial, head on over to All Things Delicious.) Basically, the only changes I made were meant to result in an extra gooey sticky bun. Follow her original recipe if you like, but here are my modifications:

Ingredients:

• 2 tubes refigerator buttermilk biscuits
• 5 Tbsp. butter, melted
• 3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping (I used Smuckers)
• 2/3  cup brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

• Spray a bundt pan with non-stick cook spray and set aside.
• Combine melted butter and caramel topping in one bowl, and all the other ingredients in another bowl.
• Pour about half the caramel mixture into the bottom of the bundt pan, as well as about half the brown sugar mixture.
• Lay the biscuits in the bottom of the pan, overlapping  the edges and forming a ring. 
• Top with remaining caramel mixture and brown sugar mixture.
• Bake at 375 degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
• Let pan cool for about 2 minutes before inverting it onto a plate. 
• Dig in while they're still gooey and warm and amazing!!

In Loving Memory

Luitenant Colonel, Joe Marvin White, USAF, Retired, 91, of Buchanan Dam, Texas passed away October 3, 2011. He was born to Joseph Miles and Ethel Mae (Crumpton) White in Vanderbilt, Texas on July 25, 1920.

Colonel White married Helen Louise Dixon on July 4, 1940 in Houston, Texas.

(Top row, second from the left)

He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and retired after 29 years. While in the Air Force, he served in World War II and Vietnam. He was a highly respected navigator and was stationed in Italy for nine months.

He was a rock solid Christian and held weekly Bible studies at his home. Joe and Helen ministered with Family Foundations and took mission trips to Mexico. He was currently a member of the Hill Country Fellowship in Burnet.

Colonel White flew for Rowan Drilling as a navigator for many years. He would fly workers in and out of the oil fields and flew Red Adair to extinguish the oil fires. With his private pilot’s license and career, he had over 8000 hours of flight. He loved to fish on Lake Buchanan and hunt at Beaver Creek. He was also an avid reader. Colonel White was a former city council member in South Houston and owned and operated JM White and Sons, a construction company. He built many water treatment plants, curbs, and gutters in Houston. Most of all, Colonel White will be remembered as a devout Christian, loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a gentle man who readily forgave debt and believed in people. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Helen White, of Buchanan Dam, daughters, Judy Ann Standridge and husband David, of Taos, New Mexico, Sharon Sue Bennett, of Buchanan Dam, Texas, Karen Louise Hammel and husband Chris, of Holland, Texas, eight grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren. Brothers: Ralph Willis White, of Eustis, Nebraska, and Cecil Eugene White, MD and wife Angela, of Lubbock, Texas. Grandchildren: John Standridge, Derek Standridge, Rebekah Bennett, Melissa Pistole, Amber Grannis, Krissy Eckholdt, Nikki Workman, Douglas Hammel. Great Grandchildren: Walter, Clay, Theo, Lucy Standridge, Cullen, Jarrett, Bryson Pistole, Taryn, Haleigh, Brooklyn Grannis, Jonathan, Caleb, Christopher, Lucy Eckholdt, Amanda and Andrew Workman. He is preceded in death by his mother, father, son-in-law, David Howard Bennett, granddaughter, Stacy Ann Standridge, brother, Norton Ellis White, and sister, Evelyn E. Stienke.

Grandad's funeral was held today today, October 8, 2011 at the Hill Country Fellowship in Burnet, Texas and buried at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park in Burnet, Texas. He received full military honors from the Highland Lakes Honor Guard.

We love you, Grandad.

 

This is not the Barbie you're looking for

This is a real conversation that actually took place JUST now at the dinner table. I was typing as fast as I could while trying not to pee in my pants. (For clarification, my girls have never even seen Star Wars. I know, I know. We are terrible parents. Warren and I have regular discussions about how we have failed the children in this area.)

Taryn: “Why is it no one plays with Barbies anymore?”

Haleigh: “Maybe because they’re pathetic.”

Brooklyn: “Everyone likes Darth Vader better than Barbie. Barbie’s the one who killed Darth Vader.”

Haleigh: “Fart Dater?”

Brooklyn: “No, Darth Vader.”

Haleigh: “Haha! Get it, FART DATER? Hahaha!!!”

Brooklyn: “I think Darth Vader and Barbie were playing together and Barbie knocked him over the head with a truck or something.”

Taryn: (singing) “I’m a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world!”

Brooklyn: “Mommy, do we have any boy toys?”

 

Picture this

I've lost my camera. Seriously. It's, like, gone. Which totally bites because there are actually a lot of things I'd like to be documenting these days. Something must be done about this. And soon! Tomorrow marks the beginning of the last quarter of the  year, which (everyone knows) accounts for 80% of the best picture taking opportunities. Not to mention, I've been meaning to resuscitate my blog. But a blog post without pictures is like chocolate ice cream without nuts. Not worth the effort (to read OR write). But just so I don't forget what's been going on, here's a written slide-show of the pictures I wish I had, but never will. Wait! Wait! Every good slide show needs a soundtrack. Ok, click on this first...then come on back over here and read while the music plays.

• I'm a grad-school widow these days. Warren is in the final stretches of his marathon of a thesis. He assures me "this too shall pass" and we will be school-free come December. Man, I hope so. I want that diploma framed, wrapped, and under the  Christmas tree!
• Taryn got all gutsy on me and decided to run for class president! We made campaign posters. She gave a campaign speech (that she wrote all by herself) to the entire 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade on the day of the election. She lost. But she's really ok with it. I'm so proud of her for stepping outside that comfort zone. She amazes me.
• Haleigh has turned a girly leaf recently. I think it has to do with a certain boy or two in her class. She's even asked to wear a dress to school a few times. I try not to look too thrilled on the outside. 
• Just to remind me she's still a dirt-monger at heart, Haleigh found a dead lizard last night. It was half eaten by ants. She showed it to Taryn who almost puked. Haleigh was very happy.
• Brooklyn has become obsessed with homework. Even tho she's in kindergarten and her teacher doesn't assign any. She comes home every day and insists (and I mean INSISTS) that she do a page in the handwriting and math workbooks she found hiding among the coloring books a couple weeks ago. They are both 2nd grade level. I tried to stop her! But she won't listen to me. 
• I've taken about 13 pregnancy tests over the last two months. I know, I know, it's not the number of sticks you pee on that makes it turn positive. Here's the part where I launch into some witty banter about how long we've been trying  to get pregnant. But I just got an unexpected lump in my throat so that will have to wait for another day.
• Taryn brought a book home from the library about how wonderful it is to be a girl. Which it is! But the book covered a lot of ground (if you know what I mean). We've had several late night girl talks as a result. It's been good. For both of us. But, wow, how did she grow up without me realizing it? I could have sworn I've been paying attention.
• Haleigh has been telling the best stories lately. Her imagination and communication skills are just exploding. Everyday she comes home with a new tall tale. I love it! We've talked about the difference between reality and stuff that's made up. She always lets me know which it is before telling me a story. I love listening to all the excitement going on in that amazing brain of hers!
• Brooklyn is figuring out how to navigate through the social network that is kindergarten. She's figuring out what makes a good friend and how BFF's can change from week to week. She's totally opposed to boys. They are too messy. One tried to kiss her. She put the kibosh on that right away! Good girl.
• I'm busy, busy, busy with piano students, helping out at school, keeping the library books from getting lost, making dinner, bathing kiddos, pinteresting, counting calories, sweeping floors, washing clothes, running errands, self improvement, and stuff like that. This morning I remarked, "What a beautiful sunrise!" Taryn followed that with, "It'd be even better at the ranch...hint, hint." It's no secret. We'd like to move. I keep telling myself, someday. Just be patient. But it's hard when I realize how fast the last 11 years have already passed. Patience, Amber. Just breathe. And take pictures for crying out loud! Go find that camera!

 

Service

Look what I made for the upcoming Super Saturday Service Project.

Download Super saturday service project

Local ladies, call me if you have any questions!