Go Dawgs!

Like her Mommy, Hannah cannot wait to be a cheerleader! Tonight we sat in the rain as we watched Midland High open their season. Hannah looked adorable and we are excited about the season. Grande stadium is so nice and I don't think that Stuart or I have been to more than one game since he played and I cheered... Hannah a great time despite the rain!

Hannah is 8 months old!

Hannah is 8 months old today! It is amazing how she has grown and changed in 8 months and really in the past 2. She is almost mobile, she reaches and grabs everything. She has such a personality and is a beautiful, happy, healthy baby! Stuart and I could not be more blessed to have such a wonderful daughter!

August 28, 2008

Happy Birthday Mom, We Miss You!

Thursday 8-28-08 would/should have been my mom's 54th birthday.

American Idol

Monday we took a trip to Dallas to see the American Idol finalists! It was so awesome and such a great concert. Stuart, Hannah, and I flew to Dallas on Monday where we met Dennis and Lynn and they picked us up from the airport. We stayed at the W which was right across the street from the American Airlines center. My best friend Elicia and her husband Phil came over and babysat Hannah while we were at the concert. Hannah hadn't taken a nap and was probably very fussy for them but it worked out so well. Thanks E! It was a quick and easy trip! The best part about it was our seats! Lynn really did a great job! We were on the floor in the center 6 rows from the stage, surrounded by the idols' families! David C.'s brother and David A's mom were right behind us! Enjoy these great pics!

A Good Friend

Today I had lunch with a good friend of mine. I wish I had some pictures because Hannah swung for the first time in their swing on their backyard swing set... Oh Daddy, I see something that we need! Anyway, I have been friends with Kristi since high school and while I could go on for hours (paragraphs!) We were basically inseparable one summer during high school. Ironically though today, as we met at her Mom's house, it felt like we were right back there. Although it is a different house and I was holding Hannah while her precious 3 year old played dress up, I felt the same friendship and connection with her that we had over 10 years ago. Her mom, who I have always loved made us fabulous chicken salad sandwiches and she got out the highchair and let Hannah make a mess with crackers all over her floor! Wouldn't that make you feel welcome in their house?! Basically, I don't see Kristi as often as I should or would like but have seen her more recently and during a time where I have really needed and counted on my friends. Kristi is a true friend that I am so lucky to have in my life, one that I may not see or talk to everyday, but when you need her, she is there, and when you do re-connect, it feels as time as never passed and you are right back there, like we were over 10 years ago!

I have been Tagged!

I have been TAGGED! Thanks Janai and Vickie (I was double tagged!)
Here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you -http://rollinwiththerogers.blogspot.com/ Janai, and http://thedossfamily4.blogspot.com, tagged me.
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking to them
5. Leave a comment for each tagged blogger to let them know that they have been tagged
6 quirks about me..

1) I hate when things are unorganized (I hate unorganized classes, events, parties, showers, etc.)

2) I use my dryer as an iron!

3) I leave clothes the last load of clothes in the dryer and get sock and underwear out of it all week long.

4) I cannot stand clutter! I don't like when people leave stuff out, when there are dishes in the sink, clothes left on the floor, toys left out...

5) I make my bed EVERY SINGLE DAY and think you should too (with lots of pillows!)

6) I make sure the pillows are always on straight on the couch.

I don't have too many friends to tag so I am tagging Elicia, Autumn, Kylie, Darby, Allison, and Susie!

As I promised...

Here are some great pictures Aunt Susie took on our trip to Austint!

Daddy, Mommy, Hannah, Susie, and Jason at Emmy's WeddingMommy was trying to get a smile out of Hannah

My Family

My Aunt Susie (some people say I look like her!)

Ooops! Why is this picture so small???

This is my new friend Camryn!

Having lunch at Papasitas

I am getting so big!

To Austin We Went!

After a crazy busy week last week, Stuart, Hannah, I headed to Austin to see Emmy get married! Our first stop, seeing Hannah's cousins! We spent the night with Autumn, Chad, and the kids and had a great time visiting with them. Hannah loves her cousins. She thinks Ellie is the coolest thing around and just watches everything that Parker does. Now that we eat "real" food, we make big messes and Ellie and Hannah took a bath together! (I have always pictured me taking pictures of my kids and their cousins in the bath, I don't know why, I guess because my Mom did it for us, then used it in our wedding video!) Anyways, sadly, that is the only picture I took of the cute kids playing together!

Saturday, we left The Faucheux house and met Susie and Jason at Cheesecake Factory (one of my faves!) then we went and checked into the hotel and started to get ready for the wedding. We met up with our friend's Rachel and Holten (remember the ones who just got married a few weeks ago and Stuart and Austen went to the wedding before coming back so Sara could have her baby...) Anyways, I went ahead and went to the wedding with Jason (Susie was part of the wedding party), Holten and Rachel. The reception was beautiful and at the Driskill. Stuart brought Hannah downstairs once she woke up and we all had a nice time. (Once Susie sends me the pictures, I will post them!)

Sunday, the three of us and Jason and Susie ate at Papasitas (another fave!) before heading back to Midland.

Hannah, did not nap well in the car going or coming or on Saturday. But, she made up for it today, sleeping until 1:00!!! You are all probably wondering what kind of parent I am letting my child sleep until 1:00. But, I am the kind of parent that likes to sleep in and felt no need to wake my sleeping angel! As I type she is trying to crawl and laughing at Daisy! What a wonderful baby I have. And husband too, he took Phoebe and Daisy to the vet this morning so that I didn't have to get up and take Hannah and the dogs. Since I did get up before 1:00, I ordered Hannah some very cute "monogrammed" necessities for Mother's Day Out that she will start in 2 weeks! I promise more pics to come!!!

So much to be Thankful for...

Thayne and Hannah having a fun play date!

The big scary bug that stung me!

I am extremely thankful for her!

For I believe that I am not a negative person. I do believe that I am generally optimistic, only slightly dramatic, and definitely a person that is thankful for the many blessings in her life. So, while I can make a list of all the wonderful things that have happened in my life and actually this summer, I want to share (and hopefully with some humor) the little storms in our hurricane right now.

The past few months have been overwhelming to say the least. There are truly no words to describe it. So lets start with some of the good things... I studied really really hard putting everything on the back burner to finish school, graduate, and pass my certification exam. Then, I went to Las Vegas where my family spent our last vacation and time together as a family. This is extremely emotional to think about because that was the last time that our family as a family truly existed, and was happy. My family is now forever changed. Other things I should mention that I am thankful for are the friends and families who have offered their prayers to our family, sent flowers, called, visited, brought dinner, sent donations to the hospital foundation, sent a card, or offered to help in anyway. You are all truly blessings in our lives.

But, on the other hand we have had some trials with our tribulations. I think it is easier for me to just list the trials we have seen over the past 2 weeks...


~slab leak at Dad's

~stolen tires

~Martha's nephews death

~broken shower at Dad's

~broken hot-tub at Dad's

~electrical problem at Dad's

~Grandma fell

~I was stung by a big bug

~The AC in my car went out

~broken toilet at our house (what is with our plumbing issues!)

Right now that is all I can really think of... We have definitely had some downers lately. And of course, you nosey people are wondering about some of these items on my list. Let me tell you first about Grandma. Me, being optimistic was really hoping for a much better week this week until I found out that Grandma (who has just moved to Dallas) fell yesterday and broke her left hand. This is bad for lots of reasons that I just cannot begin to start typing about. Then today... I got stung by this crazy bug! Daisy was barking at something in Hannah's room so I went to check it out. On the floor was this HUGE bug, with wings and long legs.... YUCK! Being assertive, I got a huge wad of toilet paper and picked it up to throw it in the toilet when somehow (through the toilet paper?) it STUNG ME! And there was blood!!!! Does anyone know what this bug is? Yes, I saved it just in case my thumb falls off or I am poisoned and we need to what it was that killed me (Here is my slightly dramatic side coming out!)

I had this wonderful lunch with the Turner's and was on my way down Wadley bringing Dad Whataburger (pronouced Waterburger) and was pulled over for speeding! 50 in a 40. I start balling! Poor officer takes my license, looks at me and tells me that he was the one that took me out to see my mom's car after her accident. Still balling, I begin to tell the officer that I was bringing my Dad lunch and not paying attention to my speed and I don't have an updated insurance card, waah waah waah. He must of felt REALLY sorry for me or thought he was going to have admit me to the psych ward, because he gave me a warning and got out of there pretty quick telling me that things can only go up from here.

So, to be optimistic, that's right... Things can only go up from here (I said that last week after the slab leak before everything this week).... But what the heck! I am loving watching (all 30 minutes that I have) of the Olympics and hearing about Michael Phelps and the gymnasts! I love the Key Lime pie that Michelle made me last night although I didn't even see it until this morning and the fact that me and Hannah were able to rest our weary eyes and take a nap together this afternoon instead of doing the other million things on my list!
And to top of a postive thing... While I was editing this and adding the pictures, The Gifford's brought our dinner tonight, meatloaf! They don't know that this is something that my Dad will eat and will love and I do not have to worry about what he will eat tonight or tomorrow! Thank You :)

Lots of Love and positive thoughts!

Our house guest

A couple of weeks ago (probably months ago...), I walked into my bedroom to find this...

sitting on my bed! Yes, Stuart put this dead animal on my bed. Once I had seen it, had to touch it, had to learn about it (something about points and other scoring jargon) it was moved and has lived my guest bed for the past few weeks (months). However, this week it found a new home. At Stuart's office.

And for the hunting enthusiast out there... I cannot remember what this was scored and will get back to you on it... But Stuart wants you to know it is from 2007.

PS. We are actively awaiting September 1st when I will become a single parent until Novemberish when Dove season is over. (More to come on that subject)!

Blog Stalking

I must confess, I have a problem... I am addicted to "blogging." The first and last thing I do everyday, and every spare second in between I sit down at my computer and literally stalk all of my friend's blogs and even some of their friend's blogs to catch the most recent update. I even find myself annoyed that people have not updated their blogs and I have nothing new to read or no new pictures to see. (Yeah, yeah, I know... I don't update that frequently and I am bad about pictures). I really don't even have that much time on my hands, it is just more of an obsession really. However, I do heart my blog stalkers. You, my blog stalker, one... make me feel better about myself for being a blog stalker, and two... it makes me feel good to know that you are actually interested in my somewhat uneventful life. (Even though most of you just check for the latest on Hannah and new pictures of her). But please, don't be scared or make your blogs "private" because I truly love and enjoy reading them and if you do not already have a blog, please consider getting one and updating it frequently so that I can have more blogs to stalk when my other friend's have not updated theirs :)

Talking about blog stalking... I came across this blog (Mck Mama's blog). You can click on the link to your left. I got to it by stalking Elicia's friend Emily's blog and their friend Sommer's blog and now I am one of Mck Mama's most captivating audiance members. Seriously though, take a little time to read about Mck Mama and her Mck Muffin and you will become hooked too, constantly checking in on Baby Stellan while watching God perform miracles.

PS. How do you like my new background and header? I actually worked really hard this :)

Dallas Weekend

This weekend, Hannah and I headed to Dallas to visit my Grandmother and Aunt and Uncle. We had a wonderful trip!!!

First, this was the first time that I traveled alone with Hannah. All was good until I got to Abilene and realized that I needed to use the bathroom. The dilemma: How do you go to the bathroom with a baby? Do you hold her and use the bathroom? Do you sit her on the floor of a (dirty) public restroom while you use the restroom? You cannot leave her the in car... Hummmm.... Well, this is what you do... You get out the stroller and find a bathroom big enough to get the stroller in. A hassle, but that is how you do it. Second dilemma: We must stop and feed Hannah. Hannah can, but won't hold the bottle and feed herself, so I have to stop and hold her and feed her a bottle while sitting in the car, keeping it running so it is cool. Third dilemma: Changing Hannah. I refuse to use the changing tables in public restrooms so I have to change her in the car. However, I am uncomfortable changing her in the car with the car door open and my back turned to the parking lot of the gas station. So, I managed to change Hannah on the center console with us both locked safely in the car. Needless to say, we made the trip to and from very easily, only stopping once both ways and with minimal fussing and 2 long naps both ways.

Hannah did remarkably well the entire trip with only a small melt down at dinner Saturday night that was quickly remedied by bringing in the stroller and letting her lay down. She was a hit with all Grandma's friends and a real trooper sleeping in the pack and play for the first time. She was also very well behaved at Nieman Marcus during lunch and played nice with Aunt Harriet's dogs.

Another dilemma: There is not an elevator in the blue garage at the Galleria! What the heck!!! So, in 106 degree weather I park on B2 level near Gap, Banana, and Old Navy. Park the car in a big enough space, get the stroller out, get the baby out, get the diaper bag and purse out, lock the car and head for the nearest elevator. Find a set of stairs and see a pregnant girl coming down them (definitely in her late third trimester). I ask her, "Do you know where the elevator is?" She coldly responds "No" without even glancing at my adorable child in her stroller. All the time I am thinking, this will be you in a couple of months toting your child around in a hot parking garage with 2 bags while sweating profusely while you search for an elevator in a 4 story parking garage and you cannot be the least sympathetic or helpful. Humm, she has no idea how her life is going to change. Anyways, after spending almost twenty whole minutes wandering the B2 level looking for an elevator that I assume must legally be there for ADA legality, I hit the security button for a lady to inform me that there is not an elevator in the garage (remind me to notify the ADA people when I am less busy to find out whether or not that violates some kind of laws). So, we truck back to the car, reload the diaper bag, purse, stroller, and Hannah, get back into the blazing hot car and circle the parking garage first (street) level until we find a parking spot and can unload everything again (still sweating) and finally get into Banana Republic to meet Elicia and spend a few hours shopping and hanging out.

It was great to see and catch up with Elicia! Elicia, one of my very best friends in the world had never met Hannah! I love every time I get to see Elicia and I wish we were able to see each other more frequently.

So, I know that you are thinking that the parking garage and bathroom dilemma were enough for the weekend (enough for my already stressed and out of control life anyways) but there is more...

Saturday morning my aunt wakes me up at 7am to let me know that someone has stolen the wheels of my car. I sleepily told her that this has happened before... Oh no! Last time, the hub caps and emblems had been stolen, this time... My car is sitting on top of the neighbor's bricks without wheels or tires! So, at 7am I try and get a hold of Stuart who is basically signal-less at the ranch to figure out what to do about this problem. How do you tow a car to get new tires when it is sitting up on bricks??? Fortunately I got a hold of Stuart who within hours had some tires on hold at the dealership with someone on hand to deliver them to the house and install them on my car. By lunch time I had new tires and wheels and never gave it a second a thought. And hopefully this expensive problem will be covered by insurance!

I had a great weekend visiting Grandma at her new place. Her new place is fabulous and she has met some new friends and is really doing great! We were able to eat dinner with her on Friday at the Legacy which was also wonderful. Saturday, Aunt Harriet treated us to lunch at Nieman's (me and Mom's absolute favorite lunch place) and then a little shopping at my new favorite baby store Animal Cracker! Saturday night Uncle Barry took us to this wonderful Thai restaurant. Sunday Uncle Barry made (my favorite) Challah French Toast and then cooked a wonderful dinner of lamb, potatoes, tomato-cucumber-feta cheese salad, and asparagus. Uncle Barry is the best cook! I wouldn't mind living there but I would gain a hundred pounds! Aunt Harriet made Molten Chocolate cakes for dessert that were unbelievably amazing as well. I sort of want to drive 5 hours there and back next weekend just to eat their cooking!

So I am back now with another busy week ahead. I cannot believe it is August already and how fast the summer has gone by.

If you are interested, check out my sister-in-law's blog (faucheuxfamily.blogspot.com) to check out my adorable niece's new haircut done by herself!