Dishing on a Decade

We had such a wild and crazy week which meant there hasn't been much going on with the blog. We don't have a lot planned for this coming week (except I'm going to start a Zumba class- exciting!).

However, I deemed it was time to take a little break. Ten years ago, I met the man who was more than I could dream of, so I decided to whisk him away. I had a conference scheduled for Saturday in Houston and he planned to pick me up when it was over. When D. woke up Saturday morning, he found this:

Pack your bags. You won’t need much.
Where we’re going, we’ll be back after tomorrow’s lunch.
Don’t ask any questions, but I’ll give you a little tip.
We’re going to a place that’s very, very hip.
I’m excited about this little rendezvous
Because it’s going to be just me and you.

Not too bad considering I wrote it at about 5:30 that morning. I had already packed my bags and most of Gavin's bags since he would spend the night with the grandparents. When D. picked me up, we first made our way to the Menil. It's an evolving art museum that we've frequented before, but since the collection is changed often, there's always something new to see. Then it was off to Crave Cupcakes to get none other than the sweetest mini cakes. D. chose Lemon while I dined on Macadamia.

Neither of us were extremely hungry or dressed up so we made our way to California Pizza Kitchen to share a Southwest pizza complete with a side of salsa and guacamole. It was so delicious that you forgot it was pizza. Sharing a pizza may sound like a lot, but the whole pizza was about the size of a dinner plate-perfect with a small salad.

Hotel Icon was the destination for the evening. We've stayed there once before because it's not like a typical hotel. We've tried to figure out the decor, but the closest we can get to is eclectic French with a little western thrown in.



I started feeling like Pioneer Woman taking pictures of the hotel room. The bathroom had a window that opened up to the rest of the room.
Oh, how I love these red doors trimmed in black.
One of my favorite parts about the hotel is the giant vault in the lobby. The hotel was once a bank before it was renovated.

We capped the rendezvous off with brunch at Le Peep. Let's just say we'll be going back.

We both missed our little boy dearly, but there's just something about making an investment in your marriage that's so worth it.

To D.- the past decade has been the best. We could fill volumes with the memories we have together. Mostly funny adventures and memorable tales, but not without those hard roads as well. I'm looking forward to our continued travels together. Just promise me we'll never stop at Burger King! :-)

A Peaceful Ponder

Gavin's fever was much better today. Only once did his temp reach 100 degrees. You still wouldn't know he even had a fever because he played as much as he usually does. So much that he wouldn't take his afternoon nap which he usually willingly does. But it was during this nap refusal that I was quietly reminded of something. I had let him cry for a little bit to see if he would eventually fall asleep. When I went in to check on him, I stopped at the door and just watched. Little man was lying down curled up with his head resting on Mr. Rabbit and obviously couldn't see me. I'm pretty sure he didn't know I was there, but for the longest time he stopped crying. In that moment, I was reminded that even though I can't see God, His presence alone is enough to bring the sweetest peace. I don't have to see Him, touch Him or hear Him, I just have to believe He's there.

The rest of the day was not as thoughtful, but there were lots of laughs, help with the laundry and even a some playtime outside. Gavin also insisted on wearing his cow boots and Amish hat. He doesn't look too happy in the first picture, but I promise his ensemble was all him.

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

It's hard to believe that the face of this happy little camper...

who enjoyed a breakfast of "O's" with his daddy this morning...

while sitting on the floor (Don't all people eat breakfast sitting on the floor?)...


would end up with a 103.9 degree temp this afternoon. It kind of hit him all of the sudden. After a trip to the doctor and lots of cuddles, hopefully he'll be on the mend soon.

But the neat thing about Gavin is that even though he's not feeling the best, the smile on his face this evening wasn't much unlike this one he had this morning.

Cell Phones and Cottages

With the weather absolutely perfect, there's nothing better than playing in a cottage with your cell phone on a cool day.
Excuse the hard shadow the windows kept giving, but this shows Gavin handing me all of the tiny little leaves that were cluttering his house.
I can't wait for evenings with more daylight and more outside playtime. I think he agrees.

Birthday Wishes

My dear husband,

Today is your birthday. I'm thinking you already knew that. And guess what? You survived not only one but two years past your expiration date (30). You're not even the little tiniest bit sour, but all the more sweeter, funnier, handsome, loving, kinder, creative man I know and I get to be married to you. I hope your day is happy and full of births. Yea, I know, I stole that phrase from you. See how you make me laugh every day? It makes me so grateful God put the two of us together. I think Gavin kind of takes a shining to you too.

Reaching Out

Today was a good day. Since Mr. Man had a fever (that part wasn't good) most likely due to his back molars trying to come in, I took the day off to be with him. And it was good. We shared a banana; he helped shut the dishwasher with his head; there was one near mishap with a bowl of grits (the reason for the wardrobe change in the following pictures) and we played with his wooden train.

We also had lots of one-sided talks about boundaries. "No Gavin, your toy does not go in the dishwasher. Yes, that is Mommy's eye, but please don't poke it." I enjoyed every minute of it. Even when I looked down to see someone with outstretched arms wanted to be held while I was folding the laundry.

Okay, so this was a little more representative of the situation.

Have you ever tried to fold a queen size sheet with a toddler in your lap? To give him credit, he did later try to help. He surprised me by picking up his folded clothes and not tossing them, but carrying them to the bedroom. (Between you and I, it wasn't the right bedroom, but I'll still give him credit.)And you know what? Laundry can wait. I won't always have those little arms begging to be held.

It's amazing what that little boy does to my heart when he looks up at me and bats his eyelashes as he cocks his head to one side. It must be just part of how God feels when He sees His children being obedient or serving in His name.

In the last couple of months, I have been following several bloggers who have personally gone on trips with the Compassion group. Musician Shaun Groves is one in particular who included detailed information in his blog for those interesting in helping out with Haiti. There are also other organizations like the American Red Cross and World Vision. Quite honestly, it all seems very surreal to me, but I know it doesn't take anything away from the reality of what those people are going through.

Multi-tasking

There Will Be Days Like This

Some have it a little harder than others and right now, I think Gavin is having the toughest time transitioning back to everyday routine after a long Christmas break. If you can imagine this boy...
with this look and subsequent sound...

sub planting his face into this chair... then you get the picture.

I'm having a hard time balancing what to do with the two and a half hours between getting home and putting him to bed. Making dinner has been a dance with a partner who's not quite three feet tall and has his arms firmly wrapped around my knees. And the melody we're swaying to isn't all that pretty.

I could sit down and read books to him for that whole time, but neither he nor his daddy will be happy campers without eating. Maybe I can make enough food while we are "frozen" in this weekend to just have leftovers next week. Anyone care for chili served three different ways?

I was at last glad to see a smile creep up on Mr. Man's face when I saw him do something D. wouldn't be paid to do, oh and some have tried to pay him...
eat a banana!

Gavin's at the stage that he wants to hold bigger pieces of food and eat off it. That just causes this mama to hover even more. But you know what? At least the smile was back.

A Boy's Best Friend

Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year...or something like that.

The last two weeks have been pure bliss, being at home with the boys. And tomorrow is reality. We must get back in the swing of things, but for now I will ponder the joys of Christmas via pictures.

Merry Christmas Sleepy Head




D. got Gavin a new stocking. He'll grow into it.








This is the first attempt at taking a picture of the boys for Christmas as well as my first attempt at making three shirts in record time.

And the second picture taking experience.


The third was just all down hill.










And my favorite Christmas ornament which actually didn't make it on the tree until after Christmas.

We had a truly enjoyable Christmas. I think simplifying things and trying to focus on the real meaning of Christmas helped a lot. Some of my favorite memories are Christmas Eve service, seeing all of the cousins, hearing Gavin say, "ball" every time he saw an ornament or Christmas lights, D. reading us the Christmas story, family snuggles, reading the advent scriptures and doing some activities especially making the gingerbread barn, watching Gavin try to put on an ornament, and Christmas dinners with our family.