We Are The Ones.....

Doggie Heaven got the best of the best today......

Theo
Aug 1st, 1996-Feb 28th, 2008

Age: 11

I still remember when I met Theo he was a handsome boxer mix that loved to play ball. I have/had never met a dog more intense when it came to playing ball. He would play endlessly if you would let him. He was by far the best dog I have ever known. I still remember when he accepted me into the family by pawing my head and licking my face to get me to play with him. Definitely a memory I will never forget and will always cherish. Here is to the best of the best when it comes to dogs. Theo will be missed dearly........

HEAVEN'S DOGGY-DOOR
My best friend closed his eyes last night,
As his head was in my hand.
The Doctors said he was in pain,
And it was hard for him to stand.
The thoughts that scurried through my head,
As I cradled him in my arms.
Were of his younger, puppy years,
And OH...his many charms.
Today, there was no gentle nudge
With an intense "I love you gaze",
Only a heart that's filled with tears
Remembering our joy filled days.
But an Angel just appeared to me,
And he said, "You should cry no more,
GOD also loves our canine friends,
He's installed a 'doggy-door"!

-Jan Cooper '95

Not much here......

So not too much has been going on down here......we are getting the house cleaned, picked up and this weekend we will be working in the yard to spruce it up for my mom's visit.....I am so excited that she will be here on Tuesday.......and staying for 2 weeks....ahhh so nice.....I am still waiting for the bed frame to get here for the guest bedroom....which probably won't make it in time since it still hasn't shipped yet.....Gerrrh.....I actually may call today to see whats up.....anyway....

So I have been keeping up with my workouts.....created myself a chart again to keep track and may sure that I am progressing.....Shawn too is now hitting the gym at lunch.....it seriously puts us in better moods, besides helping us get in shape.....love it.....Lila is still coming to bed with us in the middle of the night....it works OK for now since I usually have to feed her before I head off to the gym at 5.15am....I have decided that after I am done nursing then we will work on a serious bed time and routine for her.....I am pretty sure I didn't have a bedtime routine for the twins until after they turned 1......and I am happy to report that she all of a sudden loves to eat food.....she will eat most food I put in front of her, but I have caught her feeding DB on the side of her highchair......pretty cute.....I still can not believe Lila will be 1 in a week.....just crazy.....of course we will have a small birthday for her.....just us, my Mom and her friend Carol.....and Uncle Joel.....should be fun...I am planning on getting a Pinata for Lila to pull open and of course it will be filled with stuff for the twins.....that way they feel a part of Lila's special day.....

On twin news.....Kiara is pretty much FINALLY potty trained....well for the most part....Yes, I know 'Gasp'......my kids are 3 and still not potty trained....but one of my good friends Kary D told me that her daughters were 3-3 1/2 and it made it really easy for them to train and that they picked it up so fast.....and I must say Kiara too is doing great and pretty much has it mastered....she has not had 1 accident since starting wearing underwear and she refuses to wear a pull up at nap time and has had no accidents!.......she totally knows when she has to go.....and pretty much does all of it herself.......pooping is still a problem.....but she will get it.....she is so determined not to poop in her underwear.....I just love listening to her talk about going potty.....and I love how proud of herself she is.....Mikiah is wearing underwear too......but she refuses to sit on the potty most of the time....but she doesn't have accidents....she's a holder which is not good so we are working on it......cause when she does go nothing (Not even a night time pull up) can contain it all........She too loves to talk about it.....here is the conversation we had this morning....

Right after a morning bath:

Mom: MJ, you wearing underwear or a pull-up this morning?
MJ: Underwear Mom, I have got to get this done!
Mom: You have got to get what done?
MJ: I have got to get potty training done.
Mom: Oh, well you know if you try to go potty on the potty it will help you get it done sooner.
MJ: I know mom, but I don't want to try right now.
Mom: Ok, just let me know when you need to go.
MJ: I will cause I have to get this done.

So funny.....their language is getting so advanced....I just love it.......I feel that MJ will "get this done" soon.....Anyway........I better get to work.....

Spend, Spend, Spend.......

Ahhh, what weekend we have had...lets just say I am totally shopped out.....we have been frantically getting out guest room ready for my mom's visit.....she will be here in a little over a week.....the girls are so excited.....as am I.......So lets see......I guess I will catch you up.......I am happy to report that continued to work out the rest of last week.....Yeah....I hate getting out of bed, but do love the energy I have when I get home from my workout......GO, Go, go......Friday afternoon the girls and I headed to Daddy's work....we got to meet some of the office folk.....girls and I loved it.....

Saturday and Sunday.....shopping, shopping and more shopping.....From Target, to Walmart to Costco, to World Market, to Michael's to HEB, to Potterybarn.....we hit them all....but the best news is we found a dark leather loveseat for our front room......just need to get some accent pillows, pics for the wall and a floor lamp and we are all good in this room for now....


And a bunch of stuff for our guest bedroom.....bed frame (on order), New Flat Screen TV & Wall mount, lamps & shades, curtains, bookcase, and some other room accents....pics will come soon.........when the room is finally put together....just waiting on the bed frame to be delivered.....All in all it was a great weekend.....a little warm out....we had high 80's most of the weekend.....Next week & weekend Yard work and cleaning......fun fun......here are some pics of the kids from the last few days.....now that I uploaded they are a lil blurry.....oh well....

Have I become a shlumpadinka???...

I am having an ok post birthday Wednesday......I got up and hit the gym for a workout.....hopefully burning off all the cake I ate and the fatty food at Red Robin.....but it was good.....Anyway I always have way more enegy after working out so I cleaned the kitchen and did all the dishes that I avoided on my actual birthday.....nice to have a clean kitchen again.....I actually hate it when it is dirty and when there are piles of crap along the bar.....it also doesn't help that the bar completly wraps around the kitchen so lots of places to pile crap.....but it is all cleaned off now.....I still have a few loads of laundry to fold....but right now I am just enjoying a quiet house....while the girls take a nap.....as a matter of fact I may take a quick 20 min nap.....

So after my 2 second cat nap.....Lila wasn't having any of it...should have known that she would wake up when I want to sleep.....I finally had some time to take a shower while Lila crawled around on the floor and banged on the shower door.....pretty much a daily ritual.....I really need to start showering in the AM.....anyway.....I did watch Oprah today and I have come to the conclusion that I have become or slowly becoming a shlumpadinka......prime example....after I got out of the shower I put on a pair of comfy sweats and tight tank top (pretty much my daily outfit, some sort of athletic pant with a tank)....and when I head out to go shopping I usually throw on a bandana or a hat and wear the only pair of jeans that really fit.....with my pumas (while all my nice heels sit in the closet)....Ok, so Oprah has once again inspired me that it is time to get my arse to the store and buy some new clothes.....when we moved I purged most of my wardrobe......which left me with all my athletic and comfy clothes....so it is high time for me to get some new clothes to go with all those pretty high heels I have.....ahhhh can't wait to go shopping now.....even if I am not at my ideal size....maybe a few essentials will help in the mean time....

I would just like to say I am pooped.....I just helped Shawn paint the yacht blue on the wall in the guest bedroom....it is gonna look great.....anyway, I have sweat dripping off my head because we have the window open to air it out and it is warm out still 76 right now at 7.25pm........nothing like burning a few extra calories....

WK: 456/35m/R10

The dreaded 31......

Yup today is the day......My lovely 31st Birthday.....As I sit here and wait for the twins to awake, I ponder the act of actually turning 31. Turning 30 was no big deal to me, I was pregnant with Lila and a little cheery at being out of my 20's.....but for some reason 31 just sounds old to me.....I hope I don't look old......I mean inside I sometimes feel like a immature 20 year old......do you ever feel old inside.......do you ever truly feel mature?

I do know that after today I am going to start getting real with getting back into my ideal weight and some skinny jeans........it only gets harder as you get older so no time like the present to get on with it.....I mean shoot Lila is almost 1. Lately, I have been working out a few times a week, but its time to start getting serious and make a better commitment.....So don't be surprised if I track my effort on my blog to keep me in check....

So today its about relaxing, making my birthday cake with my kids and going out to a family friendly restaurant for dinner....there is no one I would rather be with then my husband and my kids on my birthday....I do miss the big party at Buca di Beppo.....I think that was my 29th birthday.....so fun.....

UPDATED:

Here is the cake we made....its a yummy chocolate cake with the best chocolate icing....So good and I will post the recipe on The Breezy soon.....Love the chocolate faces....

Family Project Day.....

Ahhh, so today was another busy one for me......the girls helped me make French Toast for Breakfast (Mommy's Favorite).....and then it was off and out shopping, Yes again.....this time Super Target and HEB......it was fun Lila and Mikiah went with me while Kiara stayed home and helped daddy start painting the primer.....and when I called from Target to ask Daddy a question Kiara wanted to talk to MJ........so freaking cute....they had a 2 minute converstation....so funny......they missed each other so much but loved being apart at the same time.....Shawn and I really try to do seperate activities with each of them and its fun for them to be seperated.....We got home and Uncle Joel was over.....

We designated today Family project day.....Joel put together my new laundry sorter for the laundry room....the twins and I helped daddy paint part of the guest bedroom......We didn't let them help too long and YES the room was well ventilated.......Today I also sanded our coffee table and started to stain it....its pine and I want it darker....its going to look good when we get done........then it was dinner, a little bit of work, and Big Brother.....Yes, I started watching this season....not sure if I like the couples idea.....I will get back to you.....anyway....busy busy.....I must say the guest room looks great so far....we have a white ceiling now, grey primer on 3 walls, and we did get our accent wall done today......Winter Wheat is the color name......and it looks good.....All we left is the 3 other walls which will be painted Yacht Blue......I think it's going to look good......we shall see.....I LOVE PAINTING! Now I can not wait to paint our bedroom.....good thing is we already have all the colors picked out! Here are a few shots from today....

Kiara Painting Primer w/Daddy

Lila taking a ride in the Laundry Sorter

The girls painting Winter Wheat on the walls.....

Super Saturday.....

Phew! We have been busy today.....Sounds like everyone had a great Valentine's Day.....as did we, the girls enjoyed our burger night out.....nothing like a little family tradition......Friday, I was busy working and learning new things and being entrusted with more responsibility....I truly love my job....I even caught Lila working too......she likes to mimic mommy.......


Today has been crazy fun.....we got up ate some breakfast and off we went....first to Home Depot......we went there for paint and paint supplies for the guest bedroom and came out with paint, painting supplies, another ceiling fan (I decided the one we moved into the guest bedroom was way to cheap looking and way to loud and wouldn't match what we are doing in there), wood stain, sanding paper, fire ant killer stuff, and more that I am sure I can not remember.....it is always that way 'buy more then we went in for'.........the same thing happened when we went to Costco......the girls benefited this time.....the got their first pair of Crocs , Kiara picked blue and MJ picked pink.....I was a little unsure about getting them......but the girls LOVE them....so who can argue with that......After dropping some coin at Costco and lunch (seriously $6.50 for lunch for 4....LOVE IT.....Oopps forgot to add the dollar for the Churro!!), Lila and I took the big girls and daddy home and then we headed to Super Wal-Mart for some pantry goods and a few more groceries......what a day.....I love shopping but I am shopped out right now.....and to think I still need to go to HEB tomorrow for some produce....

When I finally got home, I had to make pizza dough and some cupcakes (we got a Red Velvet mix with a heart cupcake pan from Nana/Grandpa for Valentine's Day).....They turned out ok, I just think it will take me some time to get use to the heart pan.... Tonight was make your own pizza night.....I whipped together a homemade pizza sauce......and away we went.......I just love cooking on the pizza stone.....the girls had a fun time making a pizza to split......

Happy Valentine's Day Y'all....

We hope you all have a wonderful Heart Day.....Love to all....

We need to make a project.......

The girls have been bugging me to "Make a Project"....So I headed out to the garage for my craft stuff and upstairs for their craft stuff and laid out some stuff for them to make Daddy Valentine's Day cards, since we have not been out to the store to buy any........I must say the girls were sooo thrilled and they were really engaged.....I am always amazed each time we do a project how much they have learned, from coloring, to glueing, to cutting.....they are getting crafty......we all had a great time, I think even Lila enjoyed watching from her highchair while she snacked on some cheerios and when she wasn't in her highchair she was trying to eat glitter and heart confetti off the floor ......so funny, let just say she is sparkle-ly tonight!.........I ended up making one too.....for Lila to give to daddy.....I must say my skills are super rusty, maybe it was because I wasn't stamping and I am out of some supplies......but I think its time for me to set up my craft area and start making cards again......shoot I should probably work on the girls Baby Books......I don't think I have touched them in years.....oh well I am sure I will get to it someday.....

Mikiah's, Lila's (w/mommy's help), Kiara's

Is there a Texas Skunk Season......

OK, so somthing is in the air........Oh wait that is nasty skunk smell.....Seriously, I need to look up Texas and skunks......they are all over the road here all of a sudden.....maybe its this time of year....but I was driving to the gym and noticed one dead on the side of the road.....you could smell it before you got to it....and then over the next couple of days I saw a few more on the same road dead on the side of the road.....and Shawn mentioned that he had seen a few on his way to work that were of also dead on the side of the road......and then today the girls and I took Shawn up to Lake Lyndon B Johnson to a resort on Horseshoe Bay (for a sales & marketing meeting at work) and we saw probably 5-6 more on the side of the road......So stinky and freaking gross....and I really want to know what possesses them to try to cross major roads....I mean can't they smell the rest of them that are dead on the side of the road.....Oh well.....still worth looking into.....

So like I said Shawn is gone until Thursday.....So nice that he will be getting back on Valentine's Day.....So we can keep up our tradition of taking the girls out for Cheeseburgers, Fries and Chocolate Shakes.....Hopefully I will have picked out a good burger joint by then......I sure do miss XXX Rootbeer in the Issaquah.....Burgers there are soooo good....and that's where we took the girls last Valentine's Day....So fun....

I think this is the first time the girls and I have be alone in the house....the last time daddy left on a work trip his mom was here and we had just moved in to this house.....I am looking forward to the quite nights (well hopefully you never know with Lila).....So far today has been great....the girls napped a bit on the car ride back to San Antonio......only had to stop once to find one of Lila's binkys....They just finished watching Toy Story.....they are really starting to like that movie.......Cars I think is still their favorite.....and soon they will help me make dinner tonight.....I do like it when Shawn goes because I can use WAY more veggies in my dishes and eat meals he wouldn't like....Love it.....but do already miss knowing that he will not be home to help relieve me of some parental duties....oh well.... maybe next week (My Birthday Week) I will get some much deserved time off.....AHHHH!

*So I do apologize for my mis spellings......I really wish blogger would fix their spell check...and I do not have time to do it in work as Miss Lila is jetting for the stairs.....I am out....

Let's Call it South Texas Hiking......

Ok, so no big mountains down here to go hiking on.....sure there are some big hills in High Hill Country, but this is South Texas......Today we went to Baumberger Nature Park about 2 miles from our house.....its about 70 acres of dried up river bed, trails and brush.....but hey its a park.....it appears that lots of mountain bikers like to ride there as we saw quite a few today....but the trails are also great for walking and "Hiking around the river bed"......I wouldn't necessary call it hiking but I am having fun.....The girls had a great time and loved checking out all the rocks in the riverbeds, let's just say we went home with a few.....but, they were a little disappointed that there wasn't a kiddie park for them to play at, so I promised them I would find them one to go to this week......the weather couldn't have been nicer....it was 84 today....and its still 79 degrees at 6:20pm......I suppose I need to get some more sunblock.....here are some pics on our "Hike".....Oh, and incase you couldn't tell we let the twins completely dress themselves....

Clean bill of health.....

I found the kids play Medical Kits last night and they were sooo thrilled to see them this morning....it was like brand new toys for them....Love it....So they immediately started playing with them.....Dr Kiara gave Lila a clean bill of health while she examined her.....So funny....."Mom Lila sounds healthy"......I love pretend play....and Lila slept right through it....

I was well examined too and Kiara said "Mommy you're sick and you need to rest"....I am happy to report that I am not sick and did not get what the girls had.....I believe the awful cold has finally left our house.....about freaking time.....so nice for all to be well.......

We have had a great day its freaking 80 degrees out side right now....DB is all over it....she is such a nutty dog....in out in out....and when she stays out she plops herself down in the grass and takes in all the sun....I swear she is a sun goddess dog.....So funny......

Well, the girls should be getting up from their nap anytime.....its been nice to have a little peace and quite this afternoon......Here is a cute pic of MJ from today.....man our my girls growing up....

A little bit of Nap time Comedy....

Ok, you all know I LOVE Dark Chocolate....Yes its probably one of my favorite things to eat.....well I made the big mistake of buying Planters Chocolate Lovers Almonds.....they are sooo good....Almonds double dipped in Rich DARK Chocolate.....Oh my....lets just hope they are never on sale again....although it may not matter.....my addiction might be as bad as when I use to buy the $10 cookies at Whole Foods.....

So a funny thing happened today......the girls were in their room "Napping" and then all of a sudden Kiara started to yell that she wanted out while I was downstairs sitting on the couch......the dialog went like this:

Kiara: Mommy I want to get out
Mom: It's not time to get out yet (I think they were down but not asleep for about and hour)
Kiara: Check the Clock
Mom: Huh, What did you say? (I didn't really hear what she said)
Kiara: Check the Clock
Mom: One more time, what did you say, I didn't quite hear you?
Kiara: CHECK THE CLOCK

Check the clock....Oh my gawd, Shawn (he was home sick) and I were totally trying not to laugh too loud....it was soooo funny. We have been teaching her about time on a big clock in our living room, letting them know what bedtime looks like and what not.....

Mom: The clock says its not time yet
Kiara: Check it again

I seriously had to control the laughter.....She was absolutely "Matter of fact" and "Serious"....I just love kids and the way they reason......I did end up getting them out....they were not in a napping mood.....Oh well an hour of rest is better then nothing.....I think its time for a clock in their bedroom.....

*Can I just tell you how annoyed I am that blogger spell check is not working UGH!*

Weekend Recap.....

Not much new going on here......the girls are all FINALLY getting over there colds....Lila is about the only one still with a pretty nasty cough....but she does sound so much better. She has also been sleeping better too, so nice! I too have been sleeping pretty good including sleeping in through my Gym Alarm this morning.....must have been pretty tired........

I am happy to report that Kieren was discharged from the Hospital on Saturday....yes, he only stayed there 1 night. Yeah, strong little boy. He is doing great and already running around and playing, you wouldn't have guessed that he had major mouth surgery from the way he was playing.....We are so thankful that everything went so well.

We had a good weekend of grocery shopping, movie watching, snack eating and the Superbowl. We had some of Joel's friends over on Sunday, it was nice to have people over. Just a small little get together for the game and good food......it was pretty warm down here yesterday 78 degrees and it is suppose to be 79 today....the weather has just been so wild....hot, cold, hot, cold....tonight it is supposed to be 38.....so crazy that the temperature can change so quickly......I am sure I will post more later.....Can not wait until they get the freaking spell checker fixed on Blogger....

Yes We Can.....

Finally Friday....

So I have to say this is the first time since being down here in Texas that I wish we lived closer to home or were home....just for today or the next couple of days. Today my nephew Kieren (my brother and sister in law's son) had surgery to fix his cleft palate. He was born with Pierre Robin Sequence, feel free to read about it at the link posted but basically it's a condition that involves the lower jaw being either small in size or set back from the upper jaw and most infants born with it, but not all, will also have a cleft palate, but none will have a cleft lip. Anyway his jaw has grown enough to perform the surgery and that was this morning......We got word this afternoon that the multiple surgeries went well today and he is now recovering at the hospital. We are so happy for Joe and Victoria, that everything went well but they still have Kieren's recovery ahead of them. And it won't be a walk in the park......and that is why I wish we could be in Seattle...to help them out and be there for them....but we will do what we can from here...Anyway for those of you that know Kieren he is doing well and should be out of the hospital in a few days....Our love and thoughts are with Joe, Victoria and Kieren.....

I can not tell you how happy I am that it is Friday.....I know I work from home and I am a stay at home mom but the weekend is when Shawn is around to help out with the kiddos....and this one could not have come soon enough......maybe I have just been less patient this week with the kids because they have been sick and whiny....aaahhh......With that I am off to enjoy some time quite time with Shawn while the girls are all sleeping.....