Today was the day.

Lance announced his resignation from 1560 The Game.  This isn’t something he decided spur of the moment.  He didn’t get mad and walk out.  It was a huge decision for him.  It was difficult.

I support my husband.  I always have.  I would follow him to another city or another dial.

But right now, I have to say thanks to all the people who have called, emailed, or contacted us regarding this decision.

I know my husband is good.  I met him because I was a listener.  Today, so many people made their feelings known as well.  You have no idea how much we appreciate that.  I try and tell Lance all the time how great I think he is.  As supportive as I am, his listeners make all the difference.  And today they came out and showed their full support.  It was quite humbling reading some of the messages to my husband.

From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!

For Today…August 7, 2011

Outside my window…it’s dark, it’s hot, it’s humid.  But it’s home.

I am listening to…four kids chit chat instead of sleep.  The teenager is texting away and listening to music on his headphones.  And while I am in NO hurry for more teens, I kind of like the quiet from that room.

I am praying…for said teen.  The teenage years are tricky, we all know that.  There are times I want to cry for him.  And I am not a crier.  This weekend was one of them.  And this doesn’t make me a good person or anything, I’m just saying that if I want to cry, then we need the prayers.  He’s not perfect, but he deserves so much better than he gets at times.  So much better.

I am grateful for…people who carry cash.

Baby Z this week…after three explosions and checking with a friend, I finally admitted it was time to move her up to a size 2 in her diapers!  She is by no means big, but she does seem to be filling out a bit and I am positive she is no longer just 2% on the weight chart.

I am reading…The Help.  Yes, it’s good.  Yes, I already read the ending.  I am really enjoying this book, it’s easy to read and I should be done tomorrow.  Unless someone is nominated though, I don’t think I’ll be seeing the movie.

From the kitchen…okay, it’s time to diet.  For real.

To be fit and happy…my spin instructor came in first place in her age group in the Ironman.  Can you understand how she kicks my ass on a regular basis?  Hoping I can burn some calories in her class later this week.

From the learning rooms…plans.  A friend and I have been researching and while we are taking it easy, there are still some good plans in the mix.

To live the liturgy…I like this season of Ordinary time.  This is going along with my education plans.  I fully plan to live the liturgy in this house.

One of my favorite things…watching my kids play with their cousins.  My dad is the oldest of ten.  There are twenty of us cousins.  I think.  Of those cousins, there are lots of babies: my five plus eight more kiddos.  Squirt has the teen group and the others have their group.  And they all had a blast.  While I was grumbling about things this weekend, Lance pointed out to me how much fun the kids had.  And they did.  From Squirt to No David each child had someone they wanted to see.  And Baby Z?  She met all her cousins and had a blast being passed around.  In fact, I barely held her all weekend and neither did my parents!  It was my younger cousins, the ones playing with Squirt that had her.  All boys.  So freaking sweet.

Around the house…I have to make it through Squirt’s clothes and Goose’s.  I am so dragging my feet.  I need to go through their stuff so I can determine exactly what I need to buy.  I am not buying any extras right now.  I really need to work on being a better steward.

7…times people asked me if I was done having kids since I finally had my girl.  All family members.  A few even asked if I got my tubes tied.  All Catholic.  Don’t they know who they are talking to????  I know, I know, I am so not the best example of a Catholic around and statistics show most Catholics don’t practice NFP, BUT my family knows me.  They know we do.  (I have said we do.  Many, many times.)  So frustrating.  So disappointing to me.  It would have been better for them to ask “are you done since you are over 40?!”

A few plans for the week…Galveston, buying school supplies, some last minute shopping for Squirt and Goose, and relaxing.

A picture thought I am sharing…

And it starts…

August is here and summer is coming to an end.  I read someone’s blog who was griping at everyone who complains about summer being over already.  She lives where the weather is nice and gets to homeschool her kids.  She can shut it.  Our true sign that summer is ending is the fact that school starts in two weeks.  But lucky us, we get to continue with the weather.  I love Houston, I really do, but the weather is just so rotten.

Regardless of the weather, I have lived this entire week.  Truly lived.  And had an amazing week with my kids.  Instead of whining about how little time I have before school starts, I spent time enjoying my family.

But back to the heat…it’s too hot to do anything outside.  I think my kids would still play outside, but with our garage under construction, they can’t go out back and I am not that mother who will sit outside in this heat for more than five minutes.  My kids are cute, but not that cute.

This week, the boys have played six different board games.  Goose’s new favorite is Monopoly.  Even the fact that we have Star Wars Monopoly can’t make me play this game.  I would rather listen to Kids Bop than play this game.

Kids Bop?  Our CD player broke.  Hahahahhaa.

I took Goose, The Baby Hulk and No David to the Star Wars exhibit.  Loved it.  (Pictures to come.)  It was pricey to me, but well worth it in my opinion.  I tried to justify the price by dragging it out for as long as possible, but we only lasted one hour.  I had also planned to give Squirt and Chelsea my tickets to use later in the day, but the Health Museum was too smart for me.  They barely let us leave to use the bathroom much less come back later in the day.

I took my camera to the pool so I could get some shots of the kids on the diving board.  Squirt had to have pictures with his brothers for his Facebook album titled “me and my brothers”.  I must remember this act of sweetness the next time he becomes a fussy teen.

The most important thing is showing, the abs.

We have concrete, which means soon I will have a frame for my garage!

My friend Jenn came over this week with food no less.  I love when people bring cute kids and food to my house.

Just realized I am still in my workout clothes.

And last…we had our goodbye dinner with Chelsea on Wednesday.  She leaves for school this weekend.  Goose told her he hoped she failed out of school.  Or something close to that.  It was a great night with the exception of the uninvited guest.  Oh wait, Lance invited that random person in my house.  And that is way more than five so I can’t go into details.

I took this picture and fully expect it to pop up in another person's FB account. I saved them the trouble of cropping.

For Today…July 31, 2011

Outside my window…it’s dark.  I went outside earlier and it was actually nice.  So nice, I wanted to sit outside with my husband, but he was at the station recording something with John Harris.  So begins my love/hate relationship with football.

I am wearing…green shorts and a white shirt.

I am grateful for…good friends, my mom who is always available at the drop of a hat, my husband who still wants dates with me, my kids and my church.

I am hoping…I handle myself with grace when school starts.

I am praying for…a change of heart.  Mine or Lance’s!  Funny story from this morning…For most of the summer, Goose has asked me to sign him out of school and teach him.  It’s getting a bit uncomfortable and yes, I threw Lance under the bus.  I told him it was his dad’s decision as head of the house.  Today, he asked again and we were on the way to Mass.  So I told him we needed to discuss it seriously with his father and then Lance and I would pray about it.  The Baby Hulk immediately started scream praying: “Dear God, please let Goose stay home from school and learn with me.”

I am thankful for…the safe return of Jessica.  It was a pretty tense evening due to a missed connection and unhelpful people in Newark, but she made it home and we visited this afternoon.  We are all very happy.  Even No David who opened the door and immediately slammed it and locked it upon seeing her today.  The funny thing was that her father came over with her to see everyone’s reaction.  Quite the reaction.

I am listening to…some crappy show Lance is watching.

Around the house…I think I was supposed to go through Sunshine’s clothes and Goose’s clothes last week.  I didn’t.  I guess it’s on the list for tomorrow.

From the kitchen…No wine, no sweets, healthy food only.  I promise.

I am reading…Ramona, Age 8.  I loved the Ramona books when I was a kid and had forgotten about her encounter with tongue.  My mom and I had a laugh about tongue and other delicacies this afternoon with Jessica.  Sometimes, I don’t think I’m really Mexican because there are several items I will never eat.  Ever.  Thank God my parents didn’t eat that stuff either.

I am pondering…some ideas on early childhood and not rushing it.  I think my kids are smart, but don’t all parents?  I don’t want to rush them.  I want them to have fun with their childhood, their innocence.  I want them to play and learn what they want.  How do I make their wants my agenda in this competitive world where the only thing that matters is academic success?  And I’m not saying it’s the “world’s” fault.  I have fully embraced early academics in our home thinking our kids ready.  And maybe they were ready, but I hope this year to change my approach.

One of my favorite things…reading to my kids.  Baby Z was so listening to me read to her today.  Love it.  Then I caught the Baby Hulk with a flashlight in bed tonight too.  Although I never found the book, hmmm.

I am excited about…trying a new place for a foot massage.  16 bucks for one hour.  And it’s legit, not a happy ending place.

To be fit and happy…the boys have new shoes and are anxious for some races.  Maybe a family field day is in the works.

A few plans for the week…the gym, swim, Star Wars exhibit with the twins, a good-bye for Chelsea, Feast Day at our parish, my granny’s 90th birthday!

A picture thought I am sharing…pictures taken last week.

You really wanted to see all of my pictures from our trip last May to Hyatt Hill Country, right?  Last spring we went to Hyatt Hill Country with my dad and brother’s family.  And I’ve been meaning to post pictures since then.  With the exception of crappy drivers and a little bit of cactus, the weekend was great.  I would return to this place in a heartbeat.  And I would do it with the entire family again.  The pictures show how much the kids enjoyed the weekend.

Big Snoopy is the most important, but here you get a glimpse of his hoarding.

He just wants to be like his brother.

Yes, that is a pink Snoopy she is cuddling.

I couldn’t be happier with my kids’ love for Snoopy.  And I promise these aren’t set up pictures.  This really is how they sleep.

Until they end up in my room.  And funny thing, Snoopy comes too.

We have a new member of the family.  No, we didn’t have another baby nor did we get a dog.  Just this little guy that Goose calls “plush bear”.  He tends to be really original in naming his stuffed animals.

Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you.  This bear takes up more room than my kids do.  How did this happen to me?  The person who hates excess crap in my house.  One word: MIMI.

Grandparents are an interesting group.  They accept behavior from their grandkids they never would have put up with from their own kids and buy gifts that would have been unthinkable for their own kids.  I say this fully admitting that I was quite spoiled.

Goose had his sights set on this bear from the second we walked into Costco, and it was only 29.99.  I made the mistake of bringing my mom to Costco with me, and now I am the proud owner of a human sized stuffed bear.

I feel like I am constantly telling my parents that enough is enough as far as gifts go.  Why I relented on a life sized bear, I’ll never know.  I guess it’s the smile on those faces.

For Today…July 25, 2011

Outside my window…the sun is shining.  A perfect day for the pool.  Did I mention it is freaking miserably hot too?

I’m listening to…Do I really have to admit it?  Freaking Kids Bop.  Thanks for nothing, Stacy!  This was Goose’s present from her, and he plays it nonstop.  This from the kid who was raised on Wilco, Old 97’s and such is listening to this crap.  Kids Bop is yet another reason I hate television.  I will soon be transferring this to his Ipod so I never have to hear it again.

I am wearing…black shorts and my ApeDonkey t-shirt.

I am thankful for…kids who play together and don’t need anything but their family to stay happy.

I am reading…The Help.  Starting tomorrow.

Around the house…a new garage in the early stages of progress.  I can’t wait until it’s done for so many reasons.  We’re not getting anything special, but I want my garage and my kids want to play outside.

AND…

I just had to have a new table for the hall.

And the bedroom

Then there is No David’s room…It is now a mess of furniture, none matching and not in an eclectic, “oh I wish I could decorate that way”.  I guess I’ll be doing something about that soon.

I am creating…my Pinterest boards.  This could become addictive.  I have all these ideas on how to make my boards useful for me rather than just a waste of time.  The problem is I haven’t had much time to get going.  (Which is fine by me because I’ve been having a blast with my kids.)

When I’m done with my boards…I’m going to make a list of projects to start working on.  My first, an initial plague for my Sunshine.  With my friend Jenn.

Towards rhythm and beauty…the season of birthdays is done.  And I’m happy.  And this is from someone who loves celebrating her birthday.  I’m ready for day to day life that is just about living.  Plus, I need this next month before heading towards our next season.  But not too fast because at this very minute, I am finishing off an amazing banana pudding from Greg at 1560.  I can’t tell you how awesome this dessert is.   It’s already half gone.  I started eating at 12:00.

Greg, you could make a fortune off this dessert!

One of my favorite things…my husband who is so thoughtful.  His gifts for my birthday truly were about what I love.

From the kitchen…I’d say no more sweets, but the Baby Hulk is requesting blueberry scones.  So this week, Chelsea (are you reading this?) and I will be making him some.  However, I predict a lot of sensible meals considering the cupcakes and favorite meals we’ve had over the last few weeks.

I am thinking…that my husband has some really cool listeners.  He posted it was my birthday on Twitter, and I got tons of birthday wishes.  Thank you to everyone for my birthday wishes and mostly for listening to my amazing husband.  We really appreciate you!  More than you know.  It sounds cheesy, but it is the truth.

To be fit and happy…my favorite instructor at the gym is gone for three weeks.  She’s in London for the Ironman there.  My goal while she is gone is to keep up with some core exercises in addition to my regular cardio.  The day before she left we had a big party in which I shamed my family by eating three pieces of cake immediately after spinning.  I may be the slowest spinner in that class, but I’ve got them beat with my eating.

I am pondering…how I am going to embrace school this year.  I haven’t gone very far with this thought.  But it’s a start, right?

I am anxiously…awaiting the return of our girl!!  She comes home on the 30th.  So ready to see her.

Around the house…it’s that time: I have to go through my kids clothes and get ready for some school shopping.  As much as I love to organize, I hate this job.  Especially since I have to organize things for next child who wears the clothes.

A few plans for the week…nothing set in stone.  That’s kind of nice.  I’m sure we’ll add some play dates soon, but it’s nice to relax a bit before August.  I’d still like to take some sort of small vacation, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.

A picture thought or two…

Snoopy for my birthday

Snoopy and stationery, it can hardly get any better.

You are now closer to being a one year old than being a newborn.  Someone told me that the other day.  The words made me stop.  I didn’t like hearing it one single bit.  And your father, well, he knows that while I am not dramatic about most things, something like that statement can send me over the edge.  So he didn’t like it either.

Later that night, I asked myself a lot of questions.  (Because dear daughter, your mother is OCD, and had not stopped thinking of that comment all day long.)  Am I relishing every second with you?  Taking in your sweet scent?  Holding you tightly when you cry?  Do I smile at you as often as possible?  Do I talk with you and tell you just how much I love you?  How you have changed me for the better?  Have I started reading to you?  I am fully present to you?

I think the answer is mostly yes.  I will never regret this time with you.  It is passing by so quickly, but I am loving every moment with you.  Soon I will be planning your birthday party, and I hope to look back on this entire year as one of the best I’ve ever had.

I believe it will.

You have been one of those “easy” babies.  You smile almost all the time.  And you are a momma’s girl.  I admit, I love that my babies have all reached for me or cried when I left the room.  You are just like your brothers.  The other day you made sure I knew exactly what you wanted, and it was me.  Thank you for that.

My sunshine, you are ready to crawl.  You just have to move.  In fact, this morning, you took a very tiny move towards me.  At barely 2% on the weight chart, I think it’s time for me to give you some cereal and fruit.  I promise next month I will be able to tell you about the few foods you have tried.  I am not trying to starve you, I just like to slowly introduce foods to my children.

Summer is winding to a close here.  I’m warning you that I am getting sad about your brothers leaving home for school.  And no, they aren’t in boarding school, but to me it feels that way!  So I might be sad, but I have plans for us left behind to live life as fully as possible.  So forgive me if this month I seem clingy to you and your brothers.  I just love all of you so much.

And speaking of love, I think No David is your biggest admirer right now.  He loves on you so much.  While I am in no hurry, I am interested to see how your relationship with him develops.

One last thing before next month: you have your first monogrammed bag!!!  Your daddy ordered it for you.  One day, I hope you find a man just like him.

I love you, dear little girl.  You are my sunshine.  And thanks for my birthday gift!

• a daughter
• the youngest of two children
• the child of divorce
• five feet six inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes
• the wife of Lance
• the mother of four boys and one girl
• someone who loves sweets
• a Catholic woman
• a Texas Longhorn
• a lover of social justice
• anti death penalty
• someone who loves to travel
• afraid of flying
• loyal to my friends
• impatient more than I want
• loud almost all the time
• extremely attached to my children
• a homeschool wannabee
• addicted to Starbucks
• a lefty
• a college football fan
• a fan of a good Tweet
• an active mom
• at the gym every morning (M-F) by 9:30
• at daily mass during the school year
• a lover of breakfast buffets
• a fan of alternative rock
• addicted to old episodes of 90210
• an organizational freak
• super neat
• late more often than not
• a bit OCD
• a baker
• a lover of a good burger and fries
• obsessed with my weight
• obsessed with buying books for my kids
• thrifty
• someone who can’t just sit and do nothing around the house or on vacations
• difficult at times
• am exactly where God wants me to be
• am 41 today