happy halloween!

like two pigs, fighting under a blanket

Name that movie.

Dinner preparation was going great. I even had a jump start on it from earlier in the day, when everyone was at school. Kyle was playing with the kids outside so I had the kitchen all to myself. The Killers on in the background. Ideal.

Here we go. Trying a new recipe for pigs in the blanket. I am on a mission to find the ones from back in the day. Maybe it was just my school, but the cafeteria's pigs in the blanket are what memories are made of. They were yumm-y. Just ask anyone who went to school there. Ok, maybe it's just me. And Kyle. And my sister. ;)

Pigs, check. Blankets, check. Pigs in blankets, check. Ready to go. Preheat the oven.

Moving on to the garlic fries. I chop the garlic and let it get crazy with the oil. I go to get the potatoes. Oh yeah. I didn't BUY any potatoes! Somehow I missed that item on my list. And the sad thing is, I miss items on my list more than not. Fine, we'll just have chips.

Moving on. I look to make sure the oven is ready. The oven is not ready. The bottom element is not red. Fabulous. Handyman Kyle informs me that we need to replace the element. Maybe I should have looked more into the element situation last week, when it was sparking and shooting out flames. Yeah, right after I clean up the box of baking powder that I dumped in there to put out the fire.

Handyman Kyle also points out that the broiler IS working. So after about 10 minutes of constant turnage of the piggies, we sit down to a nice dinner of broiled pigs in the blanket, grapes and chips. I'm just now remembering that there were supposed to be some green beans involved in there somewhere.

I couldn't find the Steel Magnolias clip of "like two pigs fighting under a blanket" quote, but I did find the best scene in the movie.

now i'm gonna talk to a donkey

I've been meaning to post this. It's hilarious. Well, Kyle doesn't think so but it's not his blog is it? It has been a Mark Wahlberg weekend for us for some reason. Two of his movies and it's only Saturday. And isn't Andy Samberg the best?

a mom's view on food allergies

The unknown of allergies. I'm not a fan. I'm learning more and more about Embry's allergies but sometimes it just seems too overwhelming. I know his allergies and what we have to avoid: eggs, peanuts, oats, dogs and cats. But what I don't know is what would happen if he got ahold of something he wasn't supposed to... specifically the peanuts or eggs. How bad would these reactions be? Will I ever have to use the epi-pen? I want to be prepared. But the thing is, you never know the extent of an allergic reaction.

With the chaos that goes on around here, how will I ever be able to catch every little thing? I read labels, then reread them just to make sure. And then I hear about food companies not taking the whole 'allergy warning label' thing seriously. What?

Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer has this great series called What I'd Like For You To Know. She presents different topics and shares someone's personal story each time. This is Jane Anne's story about dealing with food allergies as a mom. She does an amazing job of putting into words what so many of us feel. You can find more about her at Gravity of Motion .

tickle box

Hangin' out in a box, catchin' up on some reading, gettin' tickled by your kid sister for a good three minutes (before you've finally had enough)... it just doesn't get much better than that. Well, maybe if there was a football involved.

rain rain go away

Could it rain anymore today? Really. Yeah, I guess there is the whole Noah's Ark flood thing but geeze louise... I feel like I have hauled three soggy kids in and out of the car all day long. Use an umbrella, you say? Okay, let me just pull out my umbrella, grab the two lunch boxes, two backpacks, two sleeping mats and attempt to get all three of my kids to move in the same direction. Riiiiight. Needless to say, I have remained at a level of 'damp' for most of the day.

There was this though:

Hayes gets into the car as we pick him up from school.

Embry: "Fun at school today Hayes?"

Hayes: "Mmm Hmm."

Embry: "Good."

when i grow up

"I'm gonna be a pilot when I grow up!"

"That's exciting Hayes."

"What are you gonna be when you grow up Mommy?"

"I am grown up. I'm a mommy."

"No, I mean when you grow up to be big and strong like Daddy."

park poser

Have I mentioned that I love my mornings with this guy? And the posing continues... rock on little man!

breast cancer awareness month

It's breast cancer awareness month. I have been thinking about breast cancer lately. Maybe it's because Kyle has been working with a surgeon who does a lot of breast reconstruction after her patients have lost a breast, or two to cancer. Maybe it's because I'm a woman and can't imagine being in that situation. Maybe it's because I'm a mommy and can't even think about if someone else had to raise my kids. I don't know, but this video is amazing. To feel the emotions and see the strength that these women find... wow.

Have you done your self exam lately?

first parent teacher conference

Today I met with Mr. Hayes' pre-k teacher. I was curious to hear what she had to say. For all I know, he plays outside the whole time. Oh, and learns about monster trucks, jeeps, John Deeres, submarines and Ford Explorers. Mmm Hmm.

It was a nice ten minute visit where I learned that he's on track and does everything he is supposed to do. Ok, good. I guess I shouldn't expect much more information at such a young age. But just one cutesy story... about how he __ when he __ while he was __... I need details people! Doesn't she know that this is my baby and I'm dying to know what happens every afternoon after I drop him off at the door? How does he interact with the kids? Is he nice to the girls? Is he a good listener? Does he ever feel left out? Does he stand up for himself? Does he wash his hands in the bathroom? I guess for now, I will settle for 'satisfactory' across the board. She did reassure me, however, that it is perfectly normal for little boys to not be interested in coloring or writing. I already knew this, it was just good to hear it from a teacher.

I brought home this cute little booklet they have been working on. I eat this stuff up.

parenthood

I am in the middle of this Parenthood series from Craig Groeschel of Life Church. If you have never listened to his messages, I really encourage you to. Good stuff.

Parenting is hard, that's nothing new. I feel like I'm struggling more days than not to be the mom that God wants me to be. I want to be a source of encouragement to my kids, not frustration. I want to shower my kids with the attention and love they need, not put them off because I've got things to do. I want to look back on this time of their childhood and know that I did more than just maintain. These messages have made me squirm a little, revealing so many things I need to work on. They have also made me want to fight even harder for my kids.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

there's this guy...

So there's this guy I kinda like. Alot. I see him around every once in awhile and I think, I could definitely have his babies. Oh wait. I already did.

Happy Birthday Babe. You continue to amaze me the farther we go on this journey. You work so hard for your family. Your determination makes me proud to be your wife. I know you struggle with being away so much, but the fact that you struggle shows that your heart is where it should be.

I love to watch you in Daddy-mode... wrestling with the boys, loving on Ellie. I wish you could hear the shouts of "Daddy! Daddy!" and squeals the kids make when that garage door opens and they know that you are about to walk through the door.

Love you.




If I could give you anything for your birthday, I would give you this...

weekend highlights

Hayes actually posed for pictures at the pumpkin patch... over and over. I loved it! Check out hewood for more.

These guys got their big brother on a horse. He has never wanted to before but once he saw Embry and Ellie go for a ride, he was next in line.

The kids went crazy with their Dallas Cowboys gear that Papaw and Minnie brought back from the game.

Why so serious? Our kitchen table got a face lift today. Embry and Ellie went to town with the markers.

We spent the day outside and got a little dirty. Check out Hayes' outfit. He was so proud he matched his greens.

We discovered Lala is having a boy! Hayes has already named him Bumblebee.