That Little Place Called Paradise...

Well.... that little place we call paradise (Deer Hollow) is on high alert. A raging fire (Mill Flat Fire) burning in Utah near the sweet little town my parents call home, New Harmony. So far 8000+ acres, 3 homes and 11 structures have burned. My parents have been told to evacuate but they are not leaving until it is a complete lose, which for those of you that know anything about this place would be catastrophic. When I spoke to my mother this afternoon she said the helicopters are landing on their reservoir (photo above) every 30 minutes to fill up with water. Please keep them in your prayers!!
Photos via Desert News - Scott G. Winterton

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful tommorrow is Friday.
I am thankful for teachers who look for ways to boost the confidence of my kids.
I am grateful for those great friends who "got my back".
I am greatful I am currently very sleepy... unassisted.
I am greatful for positive, optimistic, happy people. I really do not like wet blankets.
I am greatful for remotes. It is so cool that I don't have to get out of bed right now to turn off the TV.

Pheww! Welcome Back School

My oh my what a summer it has been. I am so behind on SO many things but that is ok. I have been a complete surrendered slave to my kids the past 2 weeks. Little Bubbie had his tonsils and adenoids out 11 days ago and is was rough (severe) to say the least, I will post more on that when I have the time. He has been in a lot of pain so we hung home and one would think that I could get a lot done.... no way! It has been nuts. I was starting to wonder if we had a revolving door in our house because kids were coming and going almost in circles for hours each day. We had lots of friends over and tried to keep Bubba happy even though he suffered so. We played lots of games and watched plenty of movies and for being a family who prides themselves on being "unplugged" from electronics and TV we sure watched A LOT of TV and I am pretty sure a few of the kids has carpel tunnel now from video games.

It goes without saying... it has been exceptionally hot this year so playing outside really only lasts about 15 minutes, by the time the boys come in they are literally dripping in sweat. This photo below was the weather forecast from a few days ago, we snapped it because it for one, cracked us up that the weather man didn't just throw in a 76 or a 78 to the night time lows just for variety but also to record how boring our weather has been. I think this year we are at about 60 days in the 100's, the average for Austin is 19 so it has been toasty. Everyday we just wake up another day in paradise.... a hot one but still a paradise nonetheless.

So with summer coming to an end there are lots of changes around here. 1st we are unplugging everything for a few weeks until we can get back on our feet and bed times have resumed (yikees... that includes me). I guess you could say I am torn... both sad and happy. Sad summer is over, sad I have to kiss my boys goodbye in the morning but also happy I have to kiss them goodbye and also happy summer is over, routines are very nice, does that make any sense at all?? It has been a very fun and happy summer, fulfilling in every way. I am sad to see the kiddos go, I will miss them. We have a lot of changes this year, Eddie will be going into 6th grade at the new middle school and Douey will be in preschool 4 - 1/2 days a week. Preschool here is pretty much like kindergarten is else where since we have all day kindergarten. I will miss her terribly, Burger will miss her terribly but she is SO excited. We will have piano, football and dance on our plate for the fall so it will be a great season as well. Anyway, I am really sad to see the summer come to an end but very excited for the new experiences that await.

Life is good. Hope you all have a super week. Lots of blog updating to come :)
XO

THANKFUL THURSDAY

Well I wish I were grateful that my Bubba had a successful surgery (which I am) but right now I really just wish he did not have it at all.... in lieu of that I guess I am grateful for heavy duty narcotic pain med's even though they make him throw up.

I am so grateful for his bright and shining eyes, we used to (and sometimes still do) call him Sparky because of them.

I am SO grateful for his affection. He is often times overwhelmingly affectionate.

I am grateful (and sometimes not) that Douey and Burger scream when they see him because they anticipate what is coming.... a juicy wet kiss, and many of them.

I am grateful we both share a consuming adoration for smells, particularly breath and hair and especially on little babies. We really understand each other.

I am grateful his smile is too big for his face. Again we really understand each other because I have eyes too big for my face.

I am so grateful for his giggle, it is infectious. I am anxiously awaiting it's return.

I am grateful for his sweet spirit and sensitivity.

I am consumed with gratitude today for my sweet little boy.

Forced to Have Fun!

Don't ya hate it when you are forced to have fun? The boys did a reading program at school last year and was awarded a free day at 6 flags.... with the clock ticking (the tickets expire on Sunday) I decided I would take them, just me and my boyfriends. We got up early and ate breakfast at some little greasy cafe between here and San Antonio. We spent the day playing and eating ice cream, funnel cakes and pizza that all cost a literal fortune, I nearly threw up once but we all had an absolute blast! It was hot and sweaty but everyone was, so it didn't matter if we smelt, because everyone did. We had a super duper day!





There was a day when these cute boys would have gone ballistic to see Batman, not so thrilled this time, they are growing up :(

Ahhhhh!

M. Ward... DUDE!

Holy Smokes! He is Ah-MAH-Azing! I was just sure this ultra private musician prodigy, M.Ward (check it here too) had at least 6 fingers on each hand , but no. He has as many fingers as the rest of us therefore has proven himself to be an even more brilliant guitarist. It was a perfectly packed, sweaty quaint nightclub called Antones, we were literally within touching distance from him the entire concert, he could have shuck his head and flung sweat all over our faces. Seriously. LAA-oved it! Can not wait to see him again.



I am SO tempted to post the photo and video of him we were able to sneak for our own viewing pleasure but in respect, I will not.