The Bright Eyed Brunette

I know that many of you have probably seen this before, as have I, but when I came across it again the other day I cracked up!  I thought it would be humorous to read it to Carl the other night.  He also found it funny, but it was Trey who really like the idea of this "housewife"!  He told me that I should do these things for him!! I don't think so T!!  The last one really gets me:  A good wife always knows her place!  Ha!  While Carl found this humorous and somewhat ridiculous, he was also sure to let me know that it would be nice for me to practice a few of these :)  Whatever. The Real Housewives of OC (I know this isn't the most recent group)   These women portray the new way of being a housewife.  My how things have changed!!

I'm back from my sickness enduced absence!!  It seems like ages since I last posted.  Carlie didn't go to school on Monday or Tuesday so we pretty much just sat at home.  She didn't have a fever, but her ear hurt really bad and she just felt yucky.  We managed to get her My State Notebook done as well as her book report (we did a little fine tuning on what she already had done) and we have started on her science experiement.....and I am exhausted!  But it was well worth it because today she made a 100 on her notebook as well as her book report :) Both of these are beans...one that has been watered and one that has not. Can you guess which one is which?!  Have I ever mentioned that Carlie is an over-achiever?  She needs has to be perfect.  Yes, she knows that she is not, but she expects the best out of herself.  This is something that I struggle with.  I know that I do push the girls and some have even told me that...

Well, I know that it's not like a record or anything, but twelve years of being married isn't necessarily a little thing either!  That's right, twelve years ago today Carl and I got married.  I think I remember every single hour of that day as well as all the emotions that I was feeling.  I really did marry my best friend that day, although I know we are much better friends now!  I'm so thankful that God put him in my life.  Here's to growing old together :)

Well, I got behind on blogging about our Spring Break partly because we didn't do much and partly because I started getting sick Thursday night.  I had felt it start coming on Wednesday night, but I just tried not to think about it.  The kids stayed the night with my mom and dad on Wednesday night, so after I picked them up on Thursday we went to town to buy groceries.  At this point I my throat was killing me, but I wasn't going to give into it just yet!  Thursday afternoon we went outside and played for a while then Grammy came to pick the kids up to stay the night with her!  I know, two nights in a row!!  Too bad that I felt awful by the time Carl got home at 7:00.  We did get to eat together, just in the living room while I was perched on the couch!  Friday wasn't much different.  It was freezing outside so the kids couldn't really get out and I couldn't take them out to play.  We did end up going into town to pick up my contact solu...

My Warrior Group:  Spencer, Makena, and Carlie I was missing a couple of kids this week in our Discovery Bible Club due to Spring Break, but we still had a good class.  Spencer decided he didn't want to wear his vest, so Spencer didn't get a coin for his uniform!  Easy as that.   I really love teaching this group, even though I have two of my own, they are a good age and are still eager to please.  The fact that they get coins to buy things at the Discovery Store helps too!  As the year has progressed, they have not been doing work in their books (at home) like they were in the beginning, but they still come and love discussing our lessons in class.  I love my Warriors!!

Trey finally got to go out and ride with Carl for a while this morning while me and the girls went into town. While we were in town, we ran to the library to get a few books.  The kids all love the library, and for that I'm very thankful.  They are little smarty pants! They got Trey the deer book and the cat book because he loves animals so much.  For some reason Carlie wanted Pirate books?? Makena got the Dangerous Sea Creatures and the wolf book.  Not very typical for them, but I guess that's just what they wanted today.

The zoo was really crowded yesterday so I didn't get to see the penguins real close.  Thankfully when I got home and looked at Makena's pictures she had gotten some really good shots.  They were really showing off for everyone yesterday :)

Trey and Eli at our picnic before we went into the zoo. We tried the park across the street but: a) it was too crowded and b) it looked like junk.  So Cody had brought his church youth group here to the zoo ( a little place in the parking lot with picnic tables) to have a picnic and it really worked out well. Trey kept saying, "Here birdy, birdy". Like it would actually come to him! Our first group picture of the day The whole crew:  Carlie, Ellie Kate, Noah, Trey, Makena, and Elijah.  There were six penguins to represent the six kiddos! Me with my bunch.  Trey didn't want to cooperate.  We take what we can get :) Carlie and T by the waterfall Makena by her favorite animals, the elephants! Trey was showing us the way.  Anytime he would put it down he would always pipe back up and say, "Where's my map?".  Makena, EK, and Jamie on the train I had Noah and Trey with me in my seat. Carlie was with Eli and my mom.  Cody sat out and took pict...

Makena and Trey in Aunt V's hot tub. They used it as a swimming pool.  Too bad it was about 80 degrees inside as well as outside the water!! Maxee Parker Do you see the red cheeks?! All that playing made them hungry!! Poor Trey is always surrounded by girls, except at church (there he only has boys in his class!).  He doesn't seem to mind at all, though.  I know it is only the first day of Spring Break, but he is really happy to have the girls home so far.  This morning they were all outside playing and when I asked them what they had Makena showed me her "treasure".  Grossed me out!! We had a pretty good day today and we are really looking forward to the zoo tomorrow, with or without Carl :)

I asked Carl to send me a couple of pictures for the blog.  Trey has been wanting to ride with him, so maybe one day this week we can go out. Another view:  We are excited that it is that time of year again... planting season.   The smell of the freshly turned dirt is in the air here on the Grand Prairie.   We were hoping that Carl could go to the zoo with  us tomorrow,  but as of right now it's not looking too promising.  At least we'll have Nanny with us :)

Happy Spring!!  I tried to get a picture of all three kids before church this morning. If you notice, Trey isn't looking at me.   I think he was watching the cat!  So easily distracted :) It was such a beautiful first day of spring, pretty warm, in fact.  The kids were begging me to go outside and play in the sprinkler, so I caved and let them ;)  It didn't last too long, because obviously the water was freezing, but it was fun for a little while. I'm not too sure about that face he is making.  Maybe the water got him in the face as he was coming down!! Drying off on the swing set.  Today has been one of the most beautiful days this year.  How appropriate it is that it's the first day of Spring and it's on a Sunday :) 

Kelly Stamps from Kelly's Korner blog introduced these to her readers a while back, and I just had to try them! They really do taste like the Girl Scout Cookies!! My favorite shampoo of all times :) Love this Ed Hardy Hearts and Daggers. It has a sweet fruity smell.  One of my newer favs.  I think the bottle could be a little prettier, but then it wouldn't be Ed Hardy. OK, this dress represents two of my favorite things: #1 4Th of July...my all time favorite holiday! #2  Smocked dresses.  They are my favorite for little girls. It makes me sad that my girls are too big for them.  This dress was Makena's and I got it out the other day to loan to Ellie Kate.   I can't wait to see her in it :) My three little monkeys.  Clean, in their PJ's, and ready for bed. I absolutely love them to pieces.  They are the best kids ever.