My three Amigos

Kimber, at a wedding in Iowa this summer

Lynne, at a bachelorette party for her daughter-in-law, Heather (that Kimber and I set up!!)

Notice my sad attempt with the fake bake tanning spray..needing a little practice

Tami, at her birthday celebration this year

They say you're a reflexion of who you hang out with, well, I must be a crazy women then...just kidding, I thought I'd do a "post" (that's lingo for bloggers, see I'm gettin' it) on several of my closet friends every now and then so you can get to know who I am besides a "girly girl Mommy".... I thought I'd start with (3) the ones that know me the best and I'm very lucky to say they are some of my bestest buddies, truely the best gift you could ever receive, besides your husband and children. They know me better than anyone AND they know my deepest darkest secrets (which are very deep), they never judge .

There is 1. Exception, Tami. I've only known her since I moved to Texas (a little over 2 years ago) BUT it's the weirdest thing ever. We say we are "girl" soulmates. On our "first date" shortly after I moved here, we hit it off like we were long lost sisters...The only 2 things that are different about us are I LOVE olives, she hates them, She LOVES horses (has 2 and rides) and I'm deathly allergic to them..well, she has No butt and I have a big one, but that doesn't count....She's the one person that I have the most in common with and it's wonderful, we were separated at birth...She's my cheerleader and anything is possible for me with her at my side...

Kimber, I wouldn't change ANYTHING about her, except she is NEVER on time (but she was early for my wedding, thanks to my death threat letter) but you know I wouldn't even change that because it just wouldn't be Kimber. She can make me swing from the deepest lows to the highest highs all in one night. She's a very methodical thinker and she doubles as my psychologist, and she's free!! She has made me discover things about myself that I would of spent years in therapy learning....I laugh with her, finish her sentences and we have this weird ghostly connection that only she and I understand, kind of like a best friend's 6th scense. I miss her dearly, but she racks up the ff miles as she's come down a ton to visit. She's my life line and knows me better than anyone.

Lynne, No that's not my Mom and she'll be P'off if you're thinking that. We met our first day at a 9 holers golf coffee and we immediately hit it off. She told me I was to cute and no one else would be my friend so she would. I can't believe I'm telling that story as I don't necessarily agree, but if I didn't tell you, she would, as she tells it to EVERYBODY. She is me in 20 years and I'm her 20 years ago. We are the same person, just at different stages in life. I'm her adopted daughter and she's my adopted Mother. I'm very lucky as she lives in KC, but came to visit us in the hill country and next thing I know she builds a house a block away from us. A "winter" home, I should add. So, she comes down and stays days/weeks/months (yet to see) at a time. How perfect is that...she's following me and I love it. Being older she has the best advice, I can tell her anything and she always has an answer, no matter if I like it or not. She loves my husband and kids and me just as her own. She fills several voids in my life (from my not so normal childhood)(another blog, when I know you better) and I feel like God put her in my life for exactly that.

So, if it is true that you are a reflection of who you surround yourself with, than... I'm reflecting to the moon and back with the brightest light you've ever seen...........

The Hubby

Taken at a wedding this summer, very late...after dancing and drinks.....
I've realized that my blog so far has been all about my children. You mean there is something else besides being a full time waitress, cleaner, (of little bodies and clothing), full time activity director and chef???? Yes, I do have a husband, Scott...

We have a funny story how we meant in Kansas City. My version of course is very different than his version but after 8+ years together, 3 pets, 2 houses and a move across the US, he's still my rock. He's the foundation and I'm the fluff, I guess you could say.

We did met in an elevator. That part is true. I was in his office building delivering samples to an architect (when I had a real job) and low and behold, Scott was in the elevator interviewing a friend of mine, Jamie (guy) from my gym. I was unavailable at the time and Scott did end up hiring my friend.

Months later, I'm in the office building again, AVAILABLE this time and as I was walking up to the building I was thinking, I wonder if I'll bump into Jamie (my friend) again..ok, this is MONTHS later and this is a HUGE office COMPLEX and low and behold, as I'm carrying a different sample to the same, one and only architect, that I call on in this office building, SCOTT is waiting at the door for me, holding the door open..I'm really not lying!!!

This time it's just us in the office building, we kind of recognize each other, but barely...we're making small talk about the weather (how gay...) and he gets off the same floor where my architect is and then it hits me,....oh, That IS Jamie's boss, I know he's a nice guy and very cool (Jamie had filled me in on how much he loved working for him BUT never even mentioned to me about setting us up, because when I mentioned that I was unavailable before, well, it's because I was engaged to his best friend!!)

Do you see the soap opera developing here....So as written in the Cool Man Handbook, 1. Never set up your best friend's ex with your boss. In the end, it did create enormous drama, that did include a bar fight, restraining order (hence WHY I called off the engagment...etc...need I say more...

Anyway, back to the story....After our brief encounter, I called my girlfriend Danielle, telling her, WHY can't I met a man like that, he's got it together, great job, single, etc...She said, you can, call him. What...are you crazy..I'm a small town girl from Iowa, we don't do that..BUT I did. After mustering up the courage, I was the one who started it all. I called his office after looking up the # in the yellow pages. I talked to his secretary Heidi, she thought it was a joke (they were good friends and was always teasing him about being single). She passed him a note, then HE thought it was a joke, after realizing our home towns are less than 2 hours away from each other, and Scott had lived in BIG cities, like Detroit, Seattle, Minneapolis.. and he meets his wife in an elevator in Kansas City. Yes, I do believe in Fate....I'm very lucky, after the best first date I've ever had, an engagement in the Greek Isles, a fairy tale wedding and 2 beautiful kids and living in our dream house, I believe in fate even more....I love you honey!!

My Big Boyz

Brandt is definitely not camera shy.....


And then there is his brother



The boys started "school" this week, actually it's a Mother's day out. It was very weird being at home by myself, it was so quite it kind of spooked me..I usually always have the sound of trains running in the background, our millions of "workers" as the boys call them, that invade our home every week( We just moved into a brand new house that we built (that took 2 years) (another blog entry!! in which I'll need a glass of wine to write) OR I have our housekeeper, Adela...I realized the only time I've been alone in my house for more than an hour is when Scott takes the boys to Denny's on Saturday mornings.



The first week was successful, both boys love their teachers. It's great for them to interact with other kid's their age and be with someone else besides Mommy. It's wonderful also that we are fortunate to have many friends already from our neighborhood that attend the school and are in the same class. As I'm typing this Brandt is kissing my legs all over and leaving piles of slobber. How gross and sweet at the same time, and yes sometimes Mommy does need alone time. It will be great for all of us,including my husband Scott, as now he'll have a home cooked meal on the table 3 days a week...and 3 is the limit honey!!

My blogging buddies

Are you wondering why I'm blogging...well you can thank my good friends, Melody A. and Jennifer A. They have got me hooked!! No, it's not a good thing as it's 11:23 am and I've basically played around for the last 2 hours...I'm not even close to being a blogging pro like my girlfriends but I'll try and catch up. I thought this would be a great way to keep in touch with my KC friends, whom I miss so much, and my wonderful Texas friends too...

Jennifer thanks for your kind words and encouragement and Melody a special thanks for your help in getting my blog up and running. You're not only talented but.. the best. I'm very blessed to have you as such great friends...thank you for introducing me to the world of blogging.

My wet ducks.....

Barrett juggling the umbrella



Brandt in his Scooby Doo undies




These pictures were taken when we had a whole day of rain from the hurricane that hit the Texas coast a couple of weeks ago. It poured the entire day and the boys were going stir crazy...They loved sloshing around and managed to get sopping wet despite the boots and umbrellas. It's so great watching a child experience something natural like rain...it's better than any toy we could ever buy....

Bad Hair Day

This is my hair most mornings. Brandt, my 3 1/2 yr old is OBSESSED with my hair. After seeing me like this, he'll say "Mommy, you're hair is too squiggle"? Now, what exactly does that mean. If I put it up in a clip while I'm cooking dinner, he'll say "Mom, you're hairs not right". What is right? or He'll just plain tell me "Mom, I don't like you're hair today"..It's like everyday I'm becoming self conscious around him, wondering what he'll tell me. I find myself brushing my hair before I make him breakfast. What happened to feeling comfortable and being yourself around your own house!! Actually, the comments I get are quite comical and I've been known to put all my hair on the top of my head in a messy bun just to see what he'll say to me. I guess you can call it Mommy humor, it defiantly is worth the laugh. I'm just wondering if he's going to be the next famous hair personality like Jose Eber?

My Two year old stinker!!

It's hard to believe that my baby is now 2. I will admit that I do have "baby fever" something terrible...Barrett is full of life and I know it's so cliche but he is ALL BOY..We call him Forrest Gump as he runs like Forrest did in the famous movie and well, he does tend to like chocolate...he's definitely our athlete in the family as he is constantly running and throwing everything..from a rather large tractor to the grapes on his plate.

We opted not to do a bday party this year but stay tuned for next years...we quietly celebrated at home so we could soak up his every move and action..it was so relaxing, Happy Birthday my sweet little bubba....

Take time to stop and smell the Dandelions

I just love this picture of Brandt and his "puffer" rosy checks. All I can see are his eyelashes and full lips in this picture...what girl wouldn't kill for those features!! This picture was taken when we, as a family went back to our roots in Iowa. I will be the first to admit that I was dreading the trip as I consider myself more of a "city" girl...I packed my carry on full of sewing, scrapbooking, and and anything else I could "do" that would stuff into my bag...

I was pleasantly surprised as this get away was one for my favorite that we've taken with the boys. We visited friends and family, the kind of visits we had growing up...that lasts all day and enough food to feed an entire town, all the food made with real butter and absolutely no faux sweeteners!!

This picture reminds me how care free it is to be a child. The only thing that Brandt has on his mind is: where will all the seeds land when I blow this in the wind....seeds flying threw the air..carefree like a child...My sweet baby boy...