photo session

Thursday I met a girl in Salado and she took Mia's 2 year photos, as well as some of Luke and both kids also. She is a friend of a friend, and reminded me so much of Amy and her style of taking photos. Click on the right under "Blogs I Visit - Melody" if you want to see a sampling of what she took.

Landscaping Day

the day had finally come for us to do some type of landscaping to our yard. when we moved in, there were only 3 bushes, and they were ugly, so we pulled them out. since then, we've mostly had dead grass and weeds to bring out the beauty of our yard. today marc's parents came up to help. nonno and i did the shopping, and i had found a great nursery in town where i got most of the bushes. we ended up putting in 9 bushes - 6 to hide the slab and pipes on the front of the house, and 3 to try to hide the big green poles/boxes that i guess are for electricity?? marc dug up the grass for the flower bed and we were fortunate enough to have white rock left from the house that we used to edge the bed. we hoped to add a big magnolia tree, but the one i wanted was already sold to someone. we ran into a few issues along the way. we live right across the road from an area called "white rock estates" and it's called that for a reason. as soon as you start digging holes, you hit plenty of white rock. we're not even sure if we could have dug a 2 foot hole for the giant tree i wanted, so glad i didn't spend $219 on it if it can't even be planted! the other issue came in planting bushes by the front of the house. nonno was digging and very quickly water came spraying out everywhere- so because of the rock, the water line is not very deep!!! luckily he had experience with this and was able to fix it. so here's our improved front yard. things will grow and cover up slabs, boxes, etc soon, and we have to add some new sod since ours died before we bought it, but it's an improvement!
PS (added Sunday morning) Last night after midnight Marc woke me up. We were running the sprinklers through all 9 or 10 stations, which takes a while. Well, it came time for the area in front of the windows to water, and guess what?? another broken pipe! water was spraying everywhere. luckily this time it is the sprinkler pipe, not the main water line, so we just shut it off and tried to go back to sleep. now we are on our own fixing it today. 

before shot... nothing but dead grass

getting some help

after... no regular bushes here - 2 rose bushes, 2 blue plumbago, and 2 of something else i can't remember right now, but one has pink flowers and one yellow. plus, a lantana in the middle. i love that the white rock is the same as what the house is made of!

these are red tipped bushes... they will eventually hide the slab more. there are also 3 little ones to the left of the tree. on the far right is where we busted the water line!

you can still see all the pretty utility cases, but when the bushes grow it should help hide them! the house to the right is for sale, and currently has 2 foot weeds everywhere, so just know those aren't OUR weeds!

birthday girl

i love this girl. happy birthday miss mia!

birthday dinner at jason's deli

eating ice cream from the bottom of the cone... this was all good until it started to drip out the bottom!

her final present... radio flyer tricycle, complete with a horn, radio, and light up/noise making turn signals

Mia's Elmo Party

I'll let the photos speak for themselves...

Couldn't get a good photo of Mia smiling with her presents - she wasn't into waiting and smiling at the camera that day!

Had to put this one on... what is Carsyn thinking at this moment??



I knew I had to have a pinata... if you've seen my house, I have the perfect spot to hang it inside my front door!

Feeding Abby at the end of the day

...and daddy just couldn't keep up with the rest of us and had to check out for a little while.

Go Chargers!

Luke's soccer season officially ended last Saturday. He really showed a lot of improvement from last year, and almost kicked a goal at one of his last games. The problem this year was that the weather would be great all week, but every Saturday it seemed to end up 40-50 degrees and super windy. Thankfully his last day of games was much warmer for us all to enjoy.

Pretty Piggies

Mia loves having her nails painted, so Monday night I painted both her toes and fingers orange. She sits so still, blows on them, and knows to keep her fingers apart until they dry. Too cute. Last night Mia was missing and way too quiet for a few minutes, so I sent Luke off to hunt her down and see what she was up to. He came back to me with the OPEN bottle of orange nail polish and said Mia was painting herself! I had visions of an orange face and it spilled all over her new Elmo jammies and my bathroom floor, but when I went in to check on her, she was seated on my ottoman in the bathroom, neater than expected! She had been repainting her nails - guess she knew it had chipped off a bit and needed a touch up?? - and she did surprisingly well! Just a few orange toes and fingers (not all nails!). She is way too silly and definitely my little girlie girl.

What did YOU do today?

Today I took a personal day and skipped work, knowing I had a lot to get done before tomorrow... and now that's it's almost 10:00pm I am realizing why I am so exhausted!

Today I...

*started my day with an hour work out

*got haircut and hilights

*returned a few things at the mall and bought several more things

*bought plants and soil at Lowes

*went searching 3 stores for red sandals for Mia, but with no luck... but managed to buy a few other things at Kohls

*spent some time on facebook and emailing friends

*picked up Luke from school and ran home to empty out the car

*drove to Cove to pick up Mia's cake (which is once again adorable, and worth the hour it took to drive to get it and back!)

*got Mia from daycare then went to Target and picked up dinner

*cleaned the kids' rooms, study, living room, bathroom, and cleaned off the patio

*put away laundry

*filled an Elmo pinata

*made goodie bags for the party

*read half a novel

*wrapped Mia's presents 

And finally I'm sitting down, while Marc is mopping and finishing up the kitchen... glad he didn't get home too late tonight so he could help out! 

Check back soon for photos from Luke's last games and Mia's party!! 

Done.

The reading TAKS test is done. My kids worked hard, and whether or not they passed, I'm just glad it's over for now! It was a long day... I got very little sleep because Luke was up sick. He ended up staying home with Marc - so much for the Minatreas staying healthy!

Hoping your day ended better than mine...

This is the view of how my day ended... That would be my blue pathfinder being towed away. After a very long day, I had my facial appointment at 4:00. Luke went with me, and after we had parked and I opened my door, a lady pulled right into the spot next to me and smashed in my door. So to make a really long story short, first we waited 30 minutes for the police who were maybe a fourth of a mile down the road, then I had to talk to insurance for what seemed like an hour, then they connected me to a tow company, so we waited for them for 20 minutes, all the while with the two kids there (Marc arrived with Mia). What made me more upset was that the lady who hit me had been able to drive away an hour earlier, while I was stuck waiting for someone to take my car. I realize I didn't get a photo of the door, which I wish I had, but it wouldn't shut by like a foot - so dented and smashed into the hinges that it just bounced back. Fabulous. 

Soccer and Silly Kids!

I have lots of random photos to share from the past few weeks.

Ta Da!!

My students - Valentine's Day Party

Luke's class came to my room to visit. They were having their fairy tale ball and were all dressed up!

This girl LOVES her yogurt!

We couldn't resist the temptation of these freshly dipped strawberries at HEB!

This year Luke is a Charger for soccer. He enjoys playing so much more than last year, and actually runs after the ball. He is #8 in the yellow shirt right by the coach.

Officially a soccer mom now that I have my matching T. 

Taking care of a runny nose while watching "Loo" play soccer

Ready for his first game!

Marc's birthday dinner at Fish City Grill

Marc

I realize when I read Nancy's comments that I never told everyone the latest news from Marc's tests. We believe everything is caused by his rotator cuff. He has some stretches to do (which he hasn't been doing!) and in a few weeks, if he's still as bad, he will go to an orthopedic at the hospital to get it checked out. Hopefully it's not in need of surgery, and will heal with time.

Luke's Tree

A few weeks ago, Nonno came to watch Luke while we had a day off and Marc had one of his tests at the hospital, and brought him a fig tree. Everyone got in on the action of planting the tree- even Molly! And then there's a random photo of Mia's first corn on the cob experience. For some reason, I feel that's an event worth capturing on film!

Fairy Tale Ball

I have a lot to post, but haven't downloaded photos or thought much about posting during the craziness of the past weeks. So keep checking back the next few days to see what's been going on in our lives the past weeks. For now, I will share with you photos Luke's teacher sent me from their Fairy Tale Ball. Last Friday, her class was to dress up as nice as they could and they learned how to dance and they had a ball in the afternoon. They'd been studying all kinds of fairy tales. I missed the actual ball since my class was having our valentine party at the time, but I am glad because I have a feeling Luke wouldn't have danced if I'd been in the room! And Mrs. Gonder said he managed to hide in every photo of them dancing, but you can see him in some after he came through the line of kids.

Super Bowl Party - Minatrea Style

We had a pretty lame superbowl Sunday, but we were all together and happy, so I guess it wasn't that bad!
While watching the game...

Luke and Mia built things with blocks,


Luke read some books to Mia,


played with daddy's facebook pet,


while mommy read her latest Twilight book,


and daddy texted (probably Doug about sports...) while Mia finally layed down with him and relaxed.

Recap of an eventful week

Still no photos to post... guess I'm too busy to ever think to pull out my camera and capture some moments. I promise some photos soon! This week was crazy busy, and I can't believe my weekend is more than half over. I don't feel rested and haven't accomplished much off my to-do list either. So, what's happening in our lives?
Monday - Did my taxes. Planned a possible summer trip to Philly and Sesame Place. Never been to Philly, the kids would love S.P., and one of my dearest friends lives close by and hopefully we could meet up.
Tuesday - My student teacher started. The next 11 weeks (1 week down already) may be interesting. I hate to say that she is old, and offend some of my faithful readers, but let's just say she seems old to just be student teaching. She has been an aide for 8 years at Marc's school, but he doesn't know her. My friend Jeff calls her "grandma"... not to her face of course, so that gives you an idea that she's a bit older. I'd guess late 50s or early 60s? Anyhow, she's very sweet, willing to learn, jumped in helping the kids at their seats, and said she's already learned a lot from a pro (I guess she meant me!) I see her being a great aide, but not sure about teacher. She is timid, and I am the very outgoing in my classroom and LOUD! :) I will say I felt like I was a great teacher all week since I knew everything I did/said was being watched carefully. Monday she starts teaching her first subject, then picks up one more each week from there. The part that's hard is that it's TAKS season, high stress teaching time, and I'm giving up control. Hope it all works out ok. Tuesday night there were threats of ice storms, so Luke's first soccer practice and Marc's game were cancelled.
Wednesday - We went to school. I say this only because everyone who reads this blog got to stay home! We had ice, but no cancellations. When the bell rang for school to begin, I was the only person there for 3rd grade -all other 4 teachers and our aide were still trying to make it to work! But at least we get to enjoy Good Friday off still! I have been going for a series of hydrafacials with microderm about once a week. The 6 sessions were expensive, but wanted to do something nice for myself! When I showed up Wednesday, they said the microderm tip was broken, but I got the intense facial still - for free! That's about a $100 facial free. Love it! From there we went to Marc's game -make up game from Tuesday. We got there at the half, and they were playing the best team in district, and one of the best in the state, and were doing so well! Then Marc got 2 technical fouls and thrown out of the game. Not so good. The team ended up in OT, a big shocker for everyone, and I had to do a play by play on the phone to Marc since he was stuck in his office. They ended up losing, but played great despite everything else.
Thursday - Luke had his first soccer practice of the year, and did so well. Played hard, talked to the coaches... and had a great time!
Friday - Another basketball game, and they pulled out a win. Still in the running for playoffs.
Today - Today's been a long, busy day. Mia has yet another "bug" and we spent the first few hours of the day changing diapers every 10 minutes. I managed to sneak out for a good workout and an hour of time to myself. Then Luke and I had a "date" -went to see Hotel for Dogs, and I actually really enjoyed it. He loved it. On our way home we noticed smoke near our home, and then I spent the next hour basically standing in the back yard watching a rapidly spreading grass fire burn out of control -about a mile from my house. And the part that made me nervous was that the only thing between the fire and our house was a road and a lot of dead grass and dried out trees. Nothing to slow it down if the wind turned our way. Later, Luke and I drove to get Chipotle for dinner and saw where the fire had burned. It had gone all the way across the highway and the grass in front of Mia's daycare was burned... so we're lucky her daycare is still standing!
As for tomorrow, I will find an hour to work out after church, but then it's lesson plans, putting away laundry, making lunches and ironing for the week, and helping Luke create his 100 day of school project. (and don't ask what it'll be... still not sure!)
My apologies for a long blog. If you really don't care what I did all week, then hopefully you just skimmed my detailed version.

more updates

Marc had his follow up appt yesterday. All his lab work came back great as did the stress test. The past few days he's had a lot of back pain now, and is walking at a nice angle, so they did a spine/back xray to check that out. He got some relaxers and we think everything was triggered by back muscles. If he still feels bad in a few weeks I guess he'll go back and try something else.

In other news, my student teacher starts Tuesday. I know nothing about her except that she's going through an alternative certification process and will be with me 12 weeks. I meet with her mentor Monday afternoon, so not sure what to expect. Just hoping she's easy to get along with and willing to jump in and help.

Marc won a game Tuesday, so right now he has a shot at playoffs if the team can keep winning. The big game against the arch rival is tomorrow, so that'll be a big deal.

Well, I got Mia to bed at 6:30 without screaming, so I'm going to take this little miracle as a sign that I have to get my kids' writing graded and get busy. Thanks for all the messages the past week while we were wondering about Marc.

Update

Sorry I've been an absent blogger all week... but it's been a long, tiring week. Most of you know by now that Marc and I spent Tuesday night in the ER. He had chest pains and numbness/tingling on his left side. I knew he felt bad because he missed a district basketball game to go. The ER doc did lots of tests but we left knowing nothing except it was a low likelihood of anything cardiac. Marc went to the dr Wed. and got thoroughly checked, but no real news there either. Today we went to Scott and White Hospital for him to have a stress test. Again, no real news, but they did say if it was anything bad, a dr. would have been called in. He has a follow up Wednesday, so we just wait till then. The problem, in the mean time, is that he still doesn't feel any better, and is starting to get pretty upset not having an answer or solution to his pains. He couldn't really coach his kids tonight at his game because he really needs to take it easy, so that just makes things harder on him. It will be interesting Wednesday to find out what happens next if there are still no answers, and he's still feeling lousy. So we're tired, a little worried, and I also had a super busy week at work that I just did my best to get through. So pardon my silence... not really having the time or energy to do much of anything this week. 

Just sayin hi

Last week was very busy, and I'm gearing up for an even busier week starting tomorrow bright and early. No photos opportunities happening unless you want me to take a photo of Marc cleaning the house or me grading papers. That's about all that's going on right now! Last week Marc won a great district game, and has two more this week and we're really hoping he can pull off wins for both. Then I think next week is the first of the big game vs. the arch enemy of Heights. This coming week is the last week of the semester, so I have to give 3 big tests, finish grading, do report cards, and permanent records. I'm tired already just thinking about it.
Have a super week everyone... will try to update again next week.

Holiday Photos

A lot happened the past 2 weeks, so rather than telling you all about it, I'll let the photos and captions speak for themselves. 

Christmas Eve (do you notice Mia's black eye?? Day care incident)

Cookies and Milk for Santa - well, just one cookie since Luke said he gets them at every house and doesn't need to be fatter! Plus, 8 carrots - one for each reindeer.

Christmas Morning

Carsyn and Jenna at my house

Little Old Lady, sporting her new shoes and purses

Luke got a golf club from uncle Michael!

Mia at the end of our Davis family Christmas last Sunday

Luke and Jenna at lunch at Cheesecake Factory

Austin Arboretum

Waiting for the pizza guy at Brenda's

At Brenda's

New Year's Eve - kids got to be the band for a few songs

Cheers!!!

Ft. Worth Stockyards New Year's Day

This is when I knew it was time for Luke, Mia, and I to head back home to Killeen