Trinity Likes Water. Who Knew?

Our girl Trinity looks like a black lab. She's beautiful, regal, fun loving and playful. But, does she like water? No. The answer has always been no. She does not try to get into the kiddie pools with the kids. She does not enjoy trips to rivers. Water is to drink. The end.

Well.....until today.

We decided when we booked our vacation that Trinity would be apart of it. We were unsure how the beach would go. Today, we ventured forth and hallelujah....she had a blast. She ran. She romped. She played. She rolled and dug in the sand. She was happy.

She drank LOTS of ocean water. She pooed. Ick. That's another story.

So, anyway.....enjoy our beautiful baby dog of 9 years and her new love of water.

Arts and Crafts Vacation Style

We are spending two weeks in Port Aransas for our vacation this year. Since Leo can only take a week at a time, I made the insane decision to drive the kids down a few days ahead of him. We have rented a cute little one bedroom beach apartment. Its perfect for us and has all the amenities of home plus the beach! Today was shopping in town, lunch out and arts and crafts in the afternoon. Included activities:

Water Color

Sweet Paintings for Mommy

Markers. I think Lindsay was trying a tiger stripe thing.

All the artwork

Our crazy girl. Note the marker on her leg, arm, face and glow bracelets. She was on the phone with Daddy at the time. BTW, she also has blue marker on the bottom of her foot:)

The Last Few Weeks....

Here's a short recap of the past few weeks:

Snow cones at The Austin Zoo

Leo asleep on a bench at the zoo

(He had an ear infection)



Lindsay tried her hand at hair beautification and gave herself a trim.

We grew butterflies from caterpillars and released them.

We took in an orphaned kitten.

Hope your summer is as fun and crazy as ours is!

Using Our Imagination

We're in a drought here in central Texas. I believe it may even be a severe drought. No rain for quite a long time. So, the kids took advantage of the sprinkler to play with those colorful things they're holding. I don't remember what they're called, something you use when it rains I think.

Running Isn't Pretty

So, I'm doing this Couch to 10K app on my phone. I'm almost finished with week 9 of 13. You know how some people just seem to be born to run? Their bodies lean and muscled, it looks effortless when you watch them? Well, that's not me. I have foot pain, knee pain, back pain and I force myself to run. (Running here is a loose term, I come closer to jogging on a good day.) Its work. So, during my runs, I often have random thoughts (almost delirium) and I wanted to share todays with you. Running isn't pretty. I sweat like crazy, my nose runs and when I try to breathe out of my mouth spit comes out. Not pretty. Can't be, too many bodily fluids present. Just wanted to share that:) And, if you are one of those natural runners who perspires and doesn't spit or snot, I don't want to hear about it, thanks.

Big Bike and A Little Scooter

For Leo's last day of school, we thought it would be fun for him to get to ride on the Harley. So, we borrowed a helmet and the boys took a test ride last night.

Adorable in his helmet
(You may note he's now lost both front teeth.)




Excited to take off

Cruising the neighborhood

My Harley boys

Not to be left out, Lindsay got on her scooter and made vroom vroom noises

When Losing Teeth is a Good Thing

Leo lost his two front bottom teeth last summer. His mouth has been quiet and uneventful since. (Well, his teeth have been quiet, his mouth almost never is.) We noticed one of his front top teeth have becoming more loose over the last few days. Yesterday, was outside playing. He came running in holding his tooth. "It just popped out!" Very exciting for him and us. I love the snaggle tooth look! At seven, its still ok for your teeth to fall out:)

Memories

I took pictures of the kids hunting Easter eggs and thought a few of them looked like candidates for a change to black and white. Two in particular came out really well. Looking at Lindsay running barefoot hunting Easter eggs is already one of my favorite memories of our beautiful little girl.

Up Close and Personal

Overheard From the Backseat

Leo: Dinosaurs lived for over 4o years. If I lived when they lived, and they liked me, I would know how long they really lived. (Said with an air of knowledge and confidence.)

Lindsay: I like squirrels.

A Girl and Her Dog

Cold Weather Survival Guide

Here in Texas we love our steady climate. It's hot. Except for the 2 weeks of spring and the 2 weeks of winter each year. The last couple of years, we've had REALLY cold weather. This year, we had the joy of rolling blackouts too. Well, at our house the blackout didn't roll so much as sit still for 3 hours. So, I've put together a few things to do when your power is out or its just too cold to go outside.


1. Build a fire! Helps keep the chill away when your house drops to 60 degrees inside. And, its pretty:)


2. Eat goldfish. No heating needed. Just open and enjoy!

3. Do puzzles. You can put them together, take them apart and do it again and again. And, no power necessary!

4. Visit with friends and their VERY cute babies. (The power was back on at this point, but its still a great idea!)

5. Drink wine. It warms you up and well, any time is a good time for wine:)

Birthday Boy

I married the perfect man for me and his birthday was yesterday. Leo has graced the earth with his presence for 36 amazing years. He is a devoted father and loving husband. And, he brings home all the money so I can stay home taking care of our children.....and facebook and blog. Plus, he rides a Harley. Now, that's manly. I love him so much sometimes I just smile really big thinking about him. When he sees me smile like that he probably thinks I just bought some new shoes or gave into my need for fast food. But, no, my love, its all about you:) Happy Birthday to the love of my life. You are mean more to me than shoes and fast food, even Taco Bell.

Instructions

I speak english. I'm sure of it. I communicate with people everyday that speak english to me. We all understand each other. I can even have a conversation with lots of different people. Sometimes I know the person, sometimes I don't. Some people are young, some are older. Some are my relatives and some are my friends. I give instructions all the time. I am given instructions all the time. The people I interact with follow the instructions easily as do I. It doesn't seem difficult. Listen to the words spoken and act accordingly. So, I have just one question........

What language do I need to speak so that my children will follow my instructions?

What $50 Will Do For You

I had a rough go of it right after the holidays. Felt sluggish, weighed down by too much celebratory eating over the holidays. Before the holidays, I had gotten pretty consistent with my jogging and was closer to my goal weight than ever. Then food-a-rama hit, it was cold and I had both kids home. So, the end result was a lack of enthusiasm about life in general and feeling like my jeans were more like sausage casings than clothing. Then, my amazing husband signed us up for the YMCA. They have gyms all over, so we can both go close to where we are. Not only did it get me moving, excercising and out of the house again, but they have 2 hours of daycare per day included in your membership fee. Hallelujah! And, its per kid, so I can take little man too! Now almost two weeks in and I'm 4 pounds lighter and 100 times happier. This is absolutely the best money we've spent in a long time. Now, wonder if I'm ready to brave one of those Zumba classes................

Fragility

I have thoughts, lots of them. All day, everyday. Too often, they keep me awake at night trying to sort them out, make correct decisions, blah, blah, blah... So, I am going to try to manage them outside my brain, share with you fine people. I was going to start a new blog, but decided not to. Our blog is called The Angele 4 and I'm one of the 4, so I'm throwing it all together. Pictures and thoughts all in one place. This week the main topic on my mind is fragility. It was brought to mind by death unfortunately. Two women and one little girl. One women was a lady I'd never met, but had seen comment on a friends facebook status' here and there. One was a girl I graduated from high school with and never saw again. And, the little girl was gunned down by a person who had no regard for life at all.

Laura St. John died on January 3, 2011 in an auto accident. I'd never met her and had never had her affect my life until she died. Our friend Keith posted about her passing and I read about her and her life. Wow. She lived. Really lived. She was beautiful, adventurous and loved by many. Keith also posted an article she'd written about her son and the unfairness he was facing on the football team. Here is one of my favorite parts:

"Being in the emotional state of anger or sadness means we are not thinking clearly. It means we are acting against a peaceful heart."

Anjy Drew Elkins was a girl I went to high school with. I remember her as nice, a bit on the quiet side, but a good person. I hadn't thought of her at all to be honest until a website for our class showed her to have passed away. Again, today Iwas reminded of it. A friend posted on facebook that it was Anjy's birthday today. She was killed in a car accident in March of 2006. Her dad wrote an amazing story about it all in the Bryan/College Station Eagle and I read it today. She worked with Indigent Services and was adored by the people she helped.

The girl was Christina Taylor Green. She was born on 9/11/01 and was killed a few days ago in Arizona. This little girl had big dreams and lived her short little life to the fullest.

As I sat and cried for these lives that have ended, I was reminded that life is fragile. It can be gone in a split second through no fault of your own. I don't really do resolutions, they never quite make it to February, but this year, I'm making one. A life resolution. Everyday I will remember that life is fleeting and fragile. So, I will try my best to stop judging so quickly, to stop and read when my kids ask me to, play games more and do a few less chores. I will do my best to make more time for making my life what I want it to be. More action, less complaining. I won't be the most positive person on the planet overnight, but you have to start making changes or you stay right where you are.

The ABC's of Life from Laura:

Accept differences, Be kind, Count your blessings, Dream, Express thanks, Forgive, Give freely, Harm no one, Imagine more, Jettison anger, Keep confidences, Love truly, Master something, Nurture hope, Open your mind, Pack lightly, Quell rumors, Reciprocate, Seek wisdom, Touch hearts, Understand, Value truth, Win graciously, Xeriscape, Yearn for peace, Zealously support a worthy cause.