Blackmail

When Alexis is older and brings over a boyfriend for me to meet, I plan on having this picture hanging on the living room. I think I'll get it enlarged first of course! Like the size of a poster. She's going to love me so much!!!

Alexis

Clyde Junior High here we come! I just got off the phone with a lady from the school and Alexis passed her Reading TAKS test! With a commendation. Which just means she did super good! My baby is officially a 6th grader. I'm crying tears of happiness, sadness, excitement, fear, and a bunch of other stuff! My baby so isn't a baby anymore. She's growing up.

Hello

It's been almost two months since my last post. I can't believe it's been that long, but then again I can. There's been lots of stuff going on, I just haven't felt like getting on here. Just dealing with regular life stuff. Then I got sick. I've had this cough for 3 weeks and 3 days. When I first started coughing (Friday at work) I didn't think much of it. It got worse over the weekend so I went ahead and went in to the minor emergency clinic on Tuesday. The doctor said it was allergies and sinus stuff. Gave me a prescription and sent me on my way. Almost two weeks later I went back to the minor emergency clinic because I wasn't any better. I was actually worse. I would cough so much I couldn't breathe afterwards. There was a couple of times that I actually started seeing bright dots I was coughing so hard and couldn't breathe. The second time I went in to the doctor she said it was Bronchitis. They gave me a breathing treatment and a shot. She also gave me a prescription for steroids, a different antibiotic, and some syrup to help me sleep at night. That was last Monday morning. I'm still sick!!! I have an appointment with my regular doctor tomorrow morning. Hopefully she'll be able to figure out what is going on. Or at least make it where I can breathe after I cough. It gets a little scary at times.

This past weekend Alexis Girl Scout troop (I'm the Leader in this troop) went on their annual trip. We went to Grapevine and spent the day at the Grapevine Mills Mall. It was so much fun!! After we ate dinner at the Rainforest Cafe we took the girls ice skating. It was every one's first time to ever go ice skating, they all had a blast. Alexis was the first one to let go of the wall and actually get out there to skate. By the time we left, two more girls were skating without holding on to the wall the whole time. Two other girls never did let go of the wall. One girl didn't get to skate because she was in a wheelchair, one of the other leaders took her to go play golf while the other girls were skating. I'll try to remember to email myself the pictures so I can post them later.

Alexis re-took the Reading TAKS test on July 1st. We'll know by the end of the month if she passed or not. I wish they would hurry up and send the results! I have most of Anoe's school supplies already, but I don't know what to get Alexis. I don't want to buy the stuff on the 6th grade list just in case, and I don't want to buy the stuff on the 5th grade list because I'm praying so much she'll go on to 6th grade. I so do not like being in this limbo. I just want to know what to do!

I signed Alexis up for cheerleading again. Anoe said she wanted to do football, then she wanted to do cheerleading, now she has decided she wants to do gymnastics. I just want her to make up her mind.

I can't think of anything else that has been going on. I'll try to get better about posting stuff. I always think of really good stuff to post, but by the time I get to the computer I forget until really late at night.

My friend Sarah

My friend Sarah from California tagged me in her blog last week. Since I have actually been busy at work and haven't had a lot of free time, I haven't been able to post the top 5 things I love about being a mom.

1. Hearing Anoe laugh when she really thinks something is so funny she almost pees on herself! I totally don't like it when she does pee on herself of course, but her laugh can end any bad mood!

2. The look Alexis gets when she learns something new and is proud of herself. (I've seen that look a lot since she started going to the tutor afterschool!!!)

3. Every once in a while my kids will surprise me and wake up super early and get totally ready for school before my alarm even goes off. They'll turn off my alarm and come snuggle me until I wake up.

4. I love all the homemade art I have decorating my house. I even have a poster Alexis made hanging in my living room. It doesn't exactly match the decor, but it shows how much she loves her family.

5. I love, love, love that Anoe will still tell me she loves me right after she gets a pop or gets grounded. Even if she's still upset, she'll tell me how much she loves me. I seriously have a weak spot for that kid.




This next part has nothing to do with the above post, if anyone knows of anyone that would be interested in buying season passes to Hawaiian Falls please let me know. I bought 3 season passes back in February, and as it turns out I'm working every other weekend in Sweetwater at my mom's mini golf course so I won't be able to go this summer afterall. :(

Going on a trip

This past weekend Jennifer, her two kids, my two kids, and I all went on a little adventure! It was a last minute type thing, but so much fun. We were going to seeing someone, didn't get to see them after all but we had a total blast! OK, so some parts were not so fun. Like the kids asking over and over again if we were in Clyde, Are we in Abilene, Look there's a hotel, we can stay there......that part was not so fun. But the overall trip was great. It had been a really long time since Jennifer and I had been on a trip together. Alexis even managed to keep her teenage angst to a minimum! I was very impressed with that. On our way down, we stopped in Hico (pronounced Hi Co, not heeco like we thought) to eat dinner. The restaurant was super cute. Hico's claim to fame is that Billy the Kid died on a sidewalk. They have this little cute museum and stuff. This Saturday they're evening having Billy the Kid Day. How cool is that? We stayed the night at a hotel in Salado then drove the last little bit Sunday morning. After we found out we would be unable to visit the person we had gone to visit we started back home. I was really scared Jennifer was going to be mad because we wasted all that time, but she was really super sweet and supportive. She said she knew I was upset, so there was no need in being mean. I'm so glad I have a nice sister. On the way back we stopped and ate in Clifton. We ate a little Mexican food place. It was OK, they were doing some fundraiser for "Darcy" on 3/31/09. I really want to know who Darcy is. In the next little town, they had "Pray for Darcy" up on a marque. Which made me want to know who Darcy is even more!!! I wish I would of been brave and asked the waitress. Oh well, I guess it'll just have to be an unsolved mystery for me. I was so happy to be home last night though. I was even happier when I walked into my house. We found out we were leaving, and were packed to go within an hour! And when I got home my house was clean! Because it was clean when we left. I love coming home to a clean house. I love that most of the time (except when people come over to pick up a movie) it's clean and presentable. Have I mentioned that I love my house? Well, in case you forgot, I do love it.

Tonight we're going to Abilene to eat dinner with my Mom to celebrate her birthday. Then tomorrow I have to pack everything for my kids to be gone for the next 5 days and for me to be in the hospital. I can't wait for my kids to see what little treasures I got for them. They're going to love them!!!

In the know

Alexis stayed with a friend last night so it was just Anoe and me this morning. We went to the doughnut shop for breakfast. While we were eating Anoe was telling me ALL about the 1st drama that has been going on. She made me promise that I wouldn't tell anyone. This kind of info is highly classified. So, what I'm about to do is serious. I could receive several dirty looks and maybe even a cold shoulder or two for what I'm about to do! So brace yourselves. I'm going to tell you one of the secrets Anoe told me. I know you're wondering right now, how in the world can I live with myself if I actually do this. It'll be rough, but I'm sure I'll make it. If not.........well I don't know. But seeing how Anoe doesn't even know I have a blog, I doubt she'll ever know I told this secret. Unless someone tells her. I'm willing to take that chance though.

To protect some of the people in this story that are not related to me, I will only use initials. Anoe was telling that this girl, K, who is having her birthday party this Saturday at the local Dirty Queen oh wait I meant Dairy Queen. My bad. Anyways, this little girl has a huge crush on my nephew, Xander! Anoe told me that K asks Anoe everyday what Xander is wearing, does he have his glasses on, did he bring his backpack. Anoe also told me that K said hi to Xander once and Xander didn't pay attention to her. Typical Xander. I can just hear Xander now if we were to tell him that K has a crush on him "Besides she's a girl" or something cute like that. He cracks me up! I'm definitely not allowed to tell Xander K has a crush on him. That would definitely break all the rules then. Anoe said that it irritates her that K likes Xander though. That's all K wants to talk about. Poor Anoe, she doesn't realize how cute Xander is. To Anoe he's just her best friend.

Of course there was other stuff she told me about, but I just thought this was cute. The other stuff was kind of hard to follow too. I wasn't really paying attention the entire time. I just kind of nod and say yeah every so often. If you've ever spent time with Anoe, then you know how much that child loves to talk!

Happiness

There are so many different things in life that make us happy! Cars, homes, food, movies..........the list goes on and on. This morning when Alexis was about to get out of the car she slipped me a little note and hurried out before I could read it. I had tears in my eyes the whole way home. She is such a great kid!!! I've posted a picture of the note she left me. Below the picture I also wrote what she said. In case you can't read it.



Mom we all Love you

You are more then we can ask for

You ROCK the houes!!

Love
Alexis Anoe
and the holl famile

All of the misspelled words are straight from the paper. I love this letter. I'm going to frame it and put it next to my bed. Every time I feel like Alexis hates me or that I'm a bad Mom, I'll look at this and know how much she loves me.

Decisions

The other day I saw a trampoline on sale. I thought "Oh my goodness! The girls would love a trampoline!" Just to make sure, I made sure Alexis was with me when we walked by it again and she asked if we could please buy one. I of course said, but inside I was secretly high fiving myself. I was so pumped. But the more I think about it, should I get a trampoline or a swimming pool? Trampolines can be used pretty much year round, where as a swimming pool can only be used during the summer. And a swimming pool requires lots and lots of upkeep. The girls won't be allowed to use either one when I'm not home of course, but with a swimming pool I'll have to be outside the whole time. On the other hand, it would be so awesome to be able to go swimming at home and not have to drive to Abilene every time we want to go swimming. And we could have swim parties too. Of course it won't be a huge pool or anything, but it would be so much fun! Every time I think I've talked my self into one or the other, I think of different reasons I should get the other one. If it was up to you, which would you choose? If I bought a trampoline now I could always buy a pool at the end of the summer when they're on sale. Ugh! I'm so not good at making decisions!!! Please help me!!!!

TAKS test

Alexis brought home her TAKS test results for the reading portion Monday afternoon. She was so excited when she gave it to me. She said she just knew she did good on it. She didn't though. It broke my heart to have to tell her she didn't pass any of the sections. She'll have to retake it on April 29th. If she doesn't pass the TAKS test, she'll have to repeat 5th grade. I seriously almost hate TAKS tests. And I don't think anyone should hate anything. But the TAKS test comes very close. I think the worst part is knowing she tried her best and she honestly thought she did great.

Twilight

This past Friday, Twilight was released on DVD. There were a couple of places having release parties, and I though Wal-Mart would be the most kid friendly one. So at 10:30 PM my girls, two friends of Alexis' and I all got in my car and drove to Wal-Mart. We were in line by 11:00 PM and there was already a huge line in front of us. Below is a picture I took with my phone of the people that were in front of us. Up at the front, where you might think the line ends, well it doesn't. It actually turns to the left there and goes down about the same distance and then turns again. It's really hard to explain. There were about 100 people in front of me in the line though. The girls that were in line first actually got there at 8:00 PM!!!!

This is Alexis waiting in line with me. She took her "I heart boys who sparkle" tote in with her. In case you don't know, Edward (the main male character who is a vampire) sparkles in the sunlight. I took a picture of Anoe, but she had just gotten in trouble for touching something so she looks really mad. So I'm not going to post that one.

This was seriously the most fun I've ever had! It was such a blast. Up on the TVs there were clips from the movie, songs from the movie, and interviews with the director and different actors playing. When it was 10 minutes till time for the movie to be released, a timer came up on the screen. It was so exciting seeing how much long it was until the movie would be sold. Then at the 10 second mark everyone started yelling 10, 9, 8, 7, 6..... then at 1 everyone started screaming. The kids loved that part! Below is the picture of my receipt showing that I bought 2 Twilight movies at 12:23:04.

On November 20, 2009 New Moon should be in theatres! I'm so going to the midnight showing of it too! Again, in case you don't know, New Moon is the second book in the Twilight series.

Memories

This post isn't really about something cool my kids did. Although they did do some cool stuff that I will use for a post at a later date.

Yesterday I was talking to Jennifer about some stuff I remembered from when we were kids. Usually anything I remember from my childhood I try super hard to block it and tuck it back into the little dark corner it came out of it. But not this one! I remember when I was around 4 or 5 my mom had to be in the hospital. After talking to my mom it was when she was in the hospital giving birth to my little brother. Which explains why I can't remember him in my memories. Anyways, I remember when we went up to see my mom she whispered a secret in my ear that I needed to check in dryer when I got home. I was so excited! I remember thinking at first maybe she was going to let me help her do laundry! (I was only like 4, so laundry was still fun!) Well when I got home I ran to the dryer and inside was a little make up set and a baby doll. I assumed the make up was for me and the baby doll for Jennifer. She was only 2 at the time, so what did she need make up for? Well, as I was about to rip open the make up, I noticed that it had Jennifer's name on it. I was so mad!!! I did not want a baby doll. What did they think? I was still a kid or something? So of course being the brat that I was, I started throwing a fit telling my Papa that I didn't want the baby doll. The whole time Jennifer was just standing there staring at my swinging the baby doll around. She was so not into the make up! Papa told me that my mom must of made a mistake and wrote the wrong names on the presents. He said I could switch with Jennifer if I wanted to. I was so happy after that. I also remember the writing being my Papa's not my Mom's handwriting. But whatever. I just know that when I found the presents she left for us it always made me so happy and made me feel special.

I'm having surgery on April 1st and I'll be in the hospital until the 3rd. I really want to create these kind of memories for my kids too. Thursday night my friend Laura, that lives in Abilene, is going to come stay at my house with my kids and take them to school Friday morning before leaving to take her kids to school in Abilene and go to work. So Thursday night when they get to my house I'm going to have an envelope taped to each of their doors with a little love note and someplace for them to look for their little treasure! The only hard part is thinking of something to give them! I'm so not good at thinking of stuff they like or want. At Christmas time and birthday time they have to literally tell or show me specifically what they want. I know what the like, I'm around them all the time, but I have such a hard time shopping for them.

Trying something new

Yesterday I blogged about nothing going on in my world. Well, that's not entirely true. Every day my kids do something that makes me smile, laugh, or wonder what I did to deserve them. They're so awesome! So for the next 2 weeks my personal goal will be to blog something cool that they did or said everyday. I may not blog on the weekends though.

Last night Alexis was in charge of cleaning up the living room. We alternate chores so nobody gets stuck doing the same thing all the time. Well, she was trying to vacuum but dirt was going everywhere. We live on a dirt road so there's lots of dust! And with the recent rain there has been lots and lots of mud tracked in. Alexis was not happy with what was happening. She got down on floor and took the vacuum apart. She figured out where the filters were and everything. She cleaned all of them, put it back together and finished vacuuming. She even made a little chart of when each of the filters is supposed to be cleaned. When I told her I thought it was so awesome she was able to take the vacuum apart and put it back together, and it work properly she just shrugged her shoulders and was like "It's no big deal". She is really good with mechanical stuff like that. She even fixed the toilet in her bathroom when I couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. She amazes me! One minute she's all frilly and girly wanting to straighten her hair and putting on lip gloss and the next minute she's fixing the toilet or vacuum. I'm so blessed to have a child that can work on stuff.

Update

So it's been over a month since my last post and I have nothing to blog about! Everything has just been so boring lately. Which believe me, I'm not complaining about! I'll way take boring life to drama filled life any day. My kids are great, not so happy to be back at school from Spring Break but they'll be OK. Other than that I can't think of anything else to talk about. I'm just tired of seeing Famous Dave's. I'll try to blog again when something cool or exciting happens.

Famous Daves

Tuesday night Jennifer took me out for dinner at Famous Daves! It was so good. Our meal was actually served on a metal trash can lid!!! It was the best! I think it's called the All American Feast or something like that. The food was super good. But the best part was the food being served on a trash can lid! I loved it!!! I'm seriously thinking of buying one for at home. Wouldn't that be so cool? Maybe next week for Life Group I can make something to take on my new trash can lid. Hmmmmmmm.......I'm gonna see what I can do to accomplish this!!!!!!!!!


OH! I almost forgot! This Friday my troop is having their last Cookie Booth Sale! Which means after Monday the only cookies that should be in my house are ones that my family have bought for our own personal consumption!!!! I'm so sick of having cases and cases of Girl Scout cookies in my living room!!! I can't wait to be done with the whole thing!

Being Blessed

Lately I have really been struggling with some stuff. It's been pretty bad. I've even been questioning why I attend church and a bunch of other stuff. In the end I always know God is good and loves me! Sometimes it just doesn't seem that way. When I start feeling super down and start asking why did God forget me, I think of other people and their situations and realize that God has not forgotten me. There are so many worse situations that I could be in! For example, I could still be with Anoe's dad. Yes that would mean that I am not single, but that would also mean I am in a horribly ugly relationship. I know it's better to be single than in that type of relationship, but dang it right now I just want a freakin' boyfriend! It doesn't even have to be serious, just someone to hang out with.

So, like I said I'm dealing with a lot of emotional stuff right now. A couple of weeks ago I realized that I had not even held hands with a man even once during the last year. Yes I held hands with a couple of different men while praying, but I mean I haven't held a man's hand in an intimate way in over a year!!!! That was really messing with me. Instead of being upset about it, I prayed that God would help me and be my strength through all this. One night I cried for at least an hour telling God how much I loved him and how much I needed him. It was actually so freeing! It was amazing.

Today is the day I have been dreading for a few weeks, it's my birthday. I just knew it was going to be a horrible day. But I woke up in a pretty good mood. As good of a mood that can be accomplished at 5:40 in the morning after having a restless nights sleep anyways. As soon as I woke the girls up this morning, they ran into the living to get my presents that they wrapped for me last night. Anoe have me a 4 pack of Trident gum and a box of Sweetheart candies (she picked out her gifts all by herself), and Alexis gave me a black wire bowl I told her I wanted for my coffee table! It was awesome. I received 2 text messages this morning wishing me a happy birthday then when I got to work, Roy (my boss) gave me a card full of post its!!!! It was perfect. I love post its! He got me 6 pads! And they're all cool colors and some of them have cute little flowers!

At lunch Jennifer and I went to Abilene to meet up with Cherry, Brandi, and Rachel for lunch. We ate at Jason's Deli, which was amazing! Cherry bought me a lemon cake (one of my favorite deserts) and wrought iron cross, and gave me 2 CD's. Brandi gave me a card that made me cry! I felt so blessed! And loved!

This has seriously been the best birthday ever! I think the only thing that could of made this birthday any better would be if it were cloudy and rainy! Oh wait! Clouds are starting to build up around Clyde! I even just heard some thunder! I'm so God's favorite today!!!

Zune

In 2007 my Mom and Symantha got me a Zune. I was super pumped! I didn't find out until later how difficult it would be for me to get songs on it. My Mom tried to show me, but she's not very good at working computers. And she didn't have anything I would want to listen to. If you've ever met my Mom you know how weird she can be. Her taste in music in just as weird. She actually likes the Ink Spots. I have no clue who they are, but she's into them. Anyways, so I needed a computer with Internet access to put songs on the Zune. At the time (and even now) I didn't have a computer at home. I gave my Zune to my brother Joey so he could put songs on it for me. I think I gave it to him in late January early February 2008. It just sat in his car! He never even took it inside his house to attempt putting songs on it. He finally gave it back to my on December 26, 2008. Actually he was a punk and put it up on top of my cabinets so I couldn't reach it. He's super tall, that punk. I took it over to Jennifer and she totally set it up for me! Actually as I am typing this I am listening to Bella's Lullabye on my Zune! I'm so happy! My sister definitely rocks the house!!!!!

Cookie Time!

It's that time of year again! Girl Scout cookies!!! They're $3.50 a box and I will have them this weekend. Our council is using a different baker this year, so some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Caramel deLites-Delicate vanilla cookies drenched in caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut and laced with cocoa stripes. (formerly Samoas)

Peanut Butter Patties-Crispy vanilla cookies layered with real peanut better and blanketed with a chocolate coating.

Shortbread-Traditional favorite with a buttery, light flavor. (formerly Trefoils)

Thin Mints-The chocolate wafers dipped in a rich chocolaty coating with a burst of pure peppermint.

Peanut Butter Sandwich-Deliciously smooth peanut butter sandwiched between crunchy oatmeal cookies.

Thanks-A-Lot-Heart-warming shortbread cookies dipped in rich fudge and topped with an embossed Thank You message in one of five languages. (Girls Scouts is so educational! You'll know how to say thank you five different ways!)

Lemonades-Savory slices of shortbread with a refreshing tangy lemon icing. (My new favorite! They're almost better than the thin mints!)

Reduced Fat Daisy Go Rounds-Crispy cinnamon flowers blooming with flavor in every bite!

Wants

Saturday evening I was sitting at home watching a movie with my friend Laura when Jennifer called to see if I was home. She said she had something for me and would be there in a few minutes. I really thought she was bringing me my Christmas present that just barely came in the mail. Which I am super pumped about. Oh no! She bought me a microwave. Now I know to some that may seem strange, but I didn't have one. I had told her last week I really wanted to get one. I didn't realize how much I needed one until we moved. Of course a microwave is way low on the necessities of life list, so I still haven't bought one. Jennifer could not believe I didn't have one. So she bought one. And what's even better is that she paid attention to my wants and got me the color I really wanted. Tony & Jennifer came over to eat dinner Sunday and she was surprised that it was still in the box. I told her that I just been lazy all day. I hadn't even cleaned house! Tony unpacked it so he could use. Then during lunch on Monday when Jennifer and I were talking I told her that I wasn't used to having a microwave so Sunday after church instead of unpacking my new microwave and using it to reheat leftovers, I heated them up in the oven. We both laughed at how silly I am. It's going to take some getting used, that's for sure. I am just so grateful! God so gave me one of my wants, just because he's cool like that.

Basketball practice

Anoe is finally in basketball! She's only had one practice so far, but she loved it! The other girls on her team are all in 2nd grade, but she's just as tall or taller than all of them. I can way tell a big difference in her maturity though. The other girls talk to each a bunch and Anoe just stands off by herself. Of course talking to herself. That girl loves to talk! She did so good too! She actually made a shot when they were practicing. The first picture is of her preparing to make a shot. She's the one in all black standing next to the lady in the white shirt and black pants. I took these with my phone, so they're not very good. I'll make sure to get a better camera before her first game. The second picture is of her dribbling the ball. She was so excited at first that the coach had to tell her twice not to dribble so high. She would let the ball go way over her head. After the coach got her attention she did much better. She was running up and down the court like a pro after that. Seeing the smile on her face made all the nagging she had done the past 6 months so worth it!