The Latest Scoop

OK, where to start?

My mind has been on Caroline lately.....pretty much all Caroline, all the time. I saw her this week in Dallas, as I reported before. She was in ICU when I arrived and out of it by the time I left. Now, she's back in. I have a hard time writing about the hard stuff.....it's very difficult for me to put into words....so forgive me for not sharing it with you all. I appreciate the prayers and questions about Caroline....more than you can imagine.

I'm returning to Dallas very soon to see her again. Please keep praying.

And, while all of our thoughts are with Caroline, life moves on with the kids. Carter just completed his Bug Collection and turned it in on Thursday. Proud of Blake for helping him put this project together....usually my job.....but I was out of town.....he did it well.

Collecting the bugs took a lot of time and pushed us outdoors to take long walks in search of these critters. A few pictures from one of them....

Jack is a bike riding fool these days. (Still working on finding the right helmet, obviously).

Little punkin works so hard and loves riding big brother's hand-me-down "first" bike.

And, when he's not riding, he's wrangling.....little Lainey.....he works hard to keep her in line, too. Seems as though she's gaining some ground, though. Got away this time!

Took time to feed the baby. Always fun for the boys to stop on our walks for this.

Into the woods.

Looking for insects.


And, now switching gears to soccer. Second game on Saturday and this team just keeps getting better. So fun to watch.

Love how little brother took a seat on the players' bench. Love it even more that Carter allowed him to. :)

Lainey worked on her makeup....not much interest in soccer.

A new favorite of Jack.


And, finally.....some blog design info. A few people have asked me about my new font....which I learned about from Allison. Jen suggested that it looks like my handwriting....which I agree with and Blake confirmed with, "Yeah, I can barely read it. Looks about right."

Why do I ask?

Click here and here for information on how to apply a multitude of cute options to your blog. Warning, though......the tutorials are very well written, but the work it requires is tedious. Good luck!

Birthday Wrap Up

Some final pictures from our baby's 2nd birthday.

Can I still say "baby"? When do I have to stop?

My sweet Aunt Donna sent this shirt to her.....love it....and she'll be able to wear it for a couple more years.

The brothers with the baby.

"Present time! Present time! Open the present and see what's inside!" (for all you Blues Clues fans out there)

Hello Kitty from Ceason.....which she now calls "Ci Ci". (the stuffed animal and Ceason)

Caroline gave her some precious baby doll accessories......a super cute diaper bag, cloth diapers, changing pad, blanket, pillow and more. Safe to say she loves it all.

First lip gloss from Mom and Dad. She ate it before the day was over.

Cake time.

Pretty sure she liked the Baskin Robbin's ice cream/cake combo. Took Jack's plate when he was done and finished it, too.

So, now, we move onto Halloween.....then Carter's birthday.....then my 35th birthday....then Thanksgiving....then the glorious month of December and Christmas fun.....then Blake's 35th birthday.....all before we end the year on New Year's Eve.

Phew!

You ready?

These are our busy months.....hold on tight.

Tag

This Silly Things About Me tag comes courtesy of one of my favorite blogs, Sassafrass Jane. So, I've adored this girl since we were kids (I was her babysitter way back when) and am thrilled we're in touch as adults. She is hilarious in a Coco-type way and lacks a filter like her, too. Take a look.....promise you'll love her.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 11:00am....after going to bed at 4:00pm yesterday. Traveled back from Texas in the middle of the night when Lainey started vomiting. After 12 hours of sleep over the 3 previous days, I needed to catch up.

2. How do you like your steak? Medium.

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Half of the movie, I Can Do Bad All By Myself. Will go back for the rest another day.

4. What is your favorite TV show? The Office, Real Housewives of Anywhere, and The Bachelor. I love Giada and the Barefoot Contessa, too.

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? San Diego, on the East Coast, overseas.....I could go on and on. Love being a gypsy.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Slept through it.

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican.

8. What foods do you dislike? Sweet potatoes.

9. Favorite Place to Eat? At home with the fam, kids taking turns telling about their day.

10. Favorite dressing? Real Restaurant Ranch.

11.What kind of vehicle do you drive? Suburban.

12. What are your favorite clothes? Long skirts and tanks.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? Anywhere historical or beachy.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? Full. I'm a pretty positive person, I believe. (Not while I'm gossiping or being tacky, of course.)

15. Where would you want to retire? Near the water.

16. Favorite time of day? 8:00pm....kids all tucked safe in bed.....time for Blake & me to unwind and chat.

17. Where were you born? Dallas, TX.

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? LSU Tigers!

19. Bird watcher? If the kids cooperate.

20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night.

21. Do you have any pets? Batman, the most patient cat ever.

22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share? Nothing exciting....still needing lots of prayers for Caroline.

23. What did you want to be when you were little? A Target check-out girl or a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader. Obviously, I was thinking realistically and aiming high.

24. What is your best childhood memory? Summers in Arkansas and Louisiana with my siblings.

25. Are you a cat or dog person? Both.

26. Are you married? Almost 10 years, baby!

27. Always wear your seat belt? Always. And, our kids are in the appropriate seats until the law or recommendations state otherwise. Yes, Carter was in a booster until the day he turned 8 years old.

28. Been in a car accident? A few.

29. Any pet peeves? People who don't use car seats and boosters. Nothing like peeking into the back seat of a car and seeing a 4 year old rolling around. Idiots.

30. Favorite Pizza Topping? Italian Sausage.

31. Favorite Flower? Hydrangeas.

32. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate with gummy bears.

33. Favorite fast food restaurant? Starbucks.

34. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Nada.

35. From whom did you get your last email? Traci, a neighbor, sending out a Prayer Warrior Request for Caroline.

36. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Nordstrom.

37. Do anything spontaneous lately? Can't think of anything.

38. Like your job? Very much. But, looking for a part time one, too.

39. Broccoli? Yes, please.

40. What was your favorite vacation? Hawaii in 2004, Akumal in 2005, Griswold Road Trip of 2009.

41. Last person you went out to dinner with? Ryan at the hospital cafeteria...does that count?

42. What are you listening to right now? TV downstairs.

43. What is your favorite color? Red.

44. How many tattoos do you have? None.....can't believe I made it through my crazy years without one.

45. Coffee Drinker? Oh, yes.

What time did you finish this quiz? 9:17 p.m.

OK, I'm tagging:

Clare from The Snyder Family

Jann from The Lenzers

Carrie from Hagen Daze

Jodee from Follow The Leaders

Dallas

A quick update on the fam......I'm in Dallas visiting my sister in the hospital.....have Jack and Lainey with me.....staying with Britney.....she has the little ones during the day while I spend time with Caroline.

I sat with my sisters last night and had a nice, long visit. So good to be there with them. We always laugh, regardless of the situation.

Caroline is improving.....had a rough bout with the flu......but is gaining strength. As always, she impresses me. No one stronger in the world.

More later as time allows. Thanks so much for all the prayers.

Birthday Photos

Most of you know I'm a bit nutty when it comes to planning, so, in typical fashion....I had Lainey's birthday outfit planned about 9 months ago.

Purchased her pettiskirt in Boulder when we lived in Colorado. It's actually quite big on her, but we made do and she'll certainly wear it in the coming years. I have wanted one of these skirts for her since.....well, forever.....so I was delighted to see her in it finally.

Won her shirt from a giveaway on Clover Lane over the summer. It's from Duck Duck Goose Designs.....cute stuff. Be sure to check her out.

We ventured out this evening for a few photos.....in her second wardrobe change of the day......lucky girl had two birthday outfits. Her hair is a bit supermodel-esque in the first few....but she broke her headband in due time......thus, the quick pull back pony.

2 year olds can be so difficult.

(click on each picture for a crisper view.....my blog photos have seemed so grainy lately.....guess I should break out the manual to this camera.....nah)



Love these two......having silly fun while taking our walk.













"Over it. Going to play with my brothers!"