Still here

A quick summary...
We sold our house, at an alarming rate.
We moved.
Into an apartment.
Rocco got boarded at a kennel in the country, because he'd lose his mind in apt with no backyard.
I can't believe we're spending that much on a dog.
I miss him in our old house.
I miss cooking dinner while drinking a beer/glass of wine and listening to music while Keith and the boys play in the backyard.
We'll be moving by the end of January, hopefully, if the weather will get its shit together.
I can't wait.
I'm picking colors and furniture in my head...
I can't wait.
I'm thinking about having another baby.
I'm thinking about not having more babies.
I'm thinking about waiting on when to decide on another baby.
I'm thinking about having 3 boys...I like to be queen.
I'm thinking how different having a little girl would be.
I'm thinking about all the clothes and fun girl stuff.
I'm thinking I love to shop...for myself.
But, I'm vowing to not sign up for any more shopping/wine tasting events...ever.
I've started Christmas shopping, now, I just need to finish.
Keith is crazy busy and he uses our jam-packed closet and bathroom as his office.
We celebrated our 8th year wedding anniversary and Keith inscribed my card with "this was given to you at the Gables" (our apts, inside joke)
Our new favorite line from last week's SNL is "you're too pretty for a condom" HAHAHAHAHA
It used to be "you gotta get yuh-self a chandalier. like dis one. or dat one. or dis one."
Kale sings along to 3 by Britney Spears and when he says "4...on the floor" it almost makes me want to change the song.
Because, halllloooo...not appropriate (listen to the words, you'll know what I mean)...but I love the song, so I sing along.
The Empire State of Mind song makes me want to go to New York.
Mack has Buzz Lightyear pajamas and he swings his arms upward and says "Buzz Doo-Doo" cuz he can't say Lightyear.
I went to The Pioneer Woman cookbook signing and it has the best recipes, hands down.
I'll be cooking from that thing from now to eternity.
And, when (or if) the boys marry...I'll just handover a copy to my daughter-in-laws and tell'em this is what they like to eat.
I'm so glad they're little.

Weekend Update

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. We took the kids to Sea World on Saturday, then drove into Austin to visit friends and go for a couple of boat rides. All in all, it was a lot of fun. Kale was a real trooper, only voicing his displeasure sporadically throughout the trip. Wish we could say the same for Mack. Mack seemed content to let us know just how much we were effin' up his life. If only we'd let him eat candy/ice cream/chew gum 24/7, our lives would be so much easier. And, if he just didn't have to wear these fucking diapers all the time. And, if we just could let him wander around the shore of a lake or on a boat without meddling or pressing him to wear a life jacket, we could lay off the Prozac. But, no. Keith and I always find a way to ruin his day. And, to top it all off...turns out he had a canker sore on the bottom of his front gum that was the source of his discomfort all weekend. What loser parents we are.

Most times you can find Mack tearing off layers of clothes to release the 4 droplets of urine he's been saving up for this special moment. God, this kid cannot keep his clothes on! He even sleeps in the nude. If he doesn't sleep with pajamas that button close, he will undress himself, fall asleep cheeks in the air, and then wake at midnight because it sure is chilly in his room. Pick him up from his nap...NAKED. Take him swimming...will be NAKED soon. Take him to backyard...NAKED. Playing inside...NAKED. He will even attempt to eat his breakfast/lunch/dinner NAKED. And, that's just something we don't want at the table with our Lucky Charms.

Kale was certain we were going to spot a shark, or some other evil creature, that would attempt to eat us whole. No such luck.

On Sunday night, we stopped by to see the bats come out from under the Congress bridge.

"You just canceled every other man here..." ROWRRRRR!

We wrapped up the weekend with a bottle of wine in the lobby watching the boys chase each other and wrestle on the floor until we retired to our room.

"New Pu$$y can't cook!" -Chris Rock

Great, great article! Leadership starts at home...exactly!It's laughable as to how middle-aged men fall into this trap so often. We all know how it plays out, yet men believe they've found the golden treasure. And, the strippers really do like them---rrrrrrright. We've heard it all week, but it's true, he'd be alive if he was at home with his wife and 4 boys instead of chasing a waitress at Dave & Buster's. Sad. Sad. Sad.

Don't be so quick to make McNair a hero

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On to us, nobody knows

As of late last week, Keith and I have been dating 14 years. Holy moly. That's a long time my friend, no? We went out to dinner sans kiddos recently, we were both sick with sinus infections and just wanted some peace and quiet. We reminisced about our time early on in our relationship and how we were so young...WEIRD...and how we jumped in feet first. Not a clue what we were doing, really. And, if you think about stuff like that too long you just end up effing things up anyway. Hell, it was college. We wanted to be together and we did whatever it took to make that happen. We moved in with each other after dating for a year, I was 19 and he was 18. I know my family kept it a secret from the extended family. ***sssshhhh, Michelle is living with a boy her first time away from home. Oh dear Lord. Say a prayer***

It didn't sound so good. I'm sure Keith's family was a little freaked out that Keith had a live-in girlfriend ALREADY! I know, I know. But, we knew we were in love and it all fell into place so naturally. We struggled together. We grew up together. And, boy did we fight. Talk about growing pains! Kids crazy in love!

I suppose there were many opportunities along the way to throw in the towel and go our separate ways. But, it was never an option. I couldn't walk away from him. Why would I? Afterall, he's what I wanted and I couldn't even dream up a life without him. I don't think it would've worked b/c had I gone out on dates with other boys I'd want to call him to talk shit about them...like "dude, he's such a tool. he doesn't even listen to good music...he likes Creed for christsakes!...and he wears the ugliest shoes...and don't even get me started on how dumb he is b/c God, is he dumb!" I guess you could say he's my best friend. And, I'm the luckiest girl to have created this world of ours together.

My younger cousins always ask us how we do it. How do we stay together and happy at the same time? How can they find a good guy? I don't really know what to tell them, except I knew when I had found it, and I held on tight. But, I tell them it's hard work. I've learned a lot in this relationship over time. I've learned that it's best to let the man be a man, and a woman be a woman. It may seem simple, but it's quite the opposite. Kings of Leon sang it best "Told me you love me, that'd I'd never die alone...Hand over your heart, let's go home"...and we never looked back. **If that song doesn't make you want to rip your heart out of your chest,well... you're a robot. It's best to jump up and down, pound your chest with your fist and scream NOBODY KNOWS...NOBODY KNOWS....BUT MEEEEEEE!...at least that's what I imagine *know* would feel right.

A Biggun

April kicked my arse up and down the court. I'm so far behind. I think I know why my posting has continued to suck. Ever since my laptop battery went to shit, I've been leaving this sucker plugged in on my desk. Hence, no postage. I suppose I'll need to get off my bum and get a new battery. Maybe in 2010.

I've got lots of pictures, but will probably send most out on a Kodak gallery sorta thing, b/c it's just too many to put on Flickr. Kale and Mack are doing and saying so many crazy things it's hard to keep up. Mack turned 2 and Keith made a video for him, just like he had made Kale. I cry every time. I'm a sucker. Check out the video...

***If you haven't already bought the new Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs album "It's Blitz", run, don't walk and get. it. now. It's awesome.

We celebrated Mack's birthday on April 10. Then celebrated Easter the same weekend. Then it was the joint birthday party on April 18, where it poured and poured. Fortunately, our family really loves us because everyone was there. Kale's class celebrated his birthday on the 21st. They delivered a balloon to him, sang him a song, and I brought in sugar cookies, frosting, and sprinkles for all the kids to decorate for snack time. Then we finally celebrated his actual birthdate on April 22nd. *PHEW*

(post-bunny photo op)

(kale ready to be sung to in blue. see mack in the orange shirt? creating havoc.)

(mack's bday cupcake commercial audition)

On top of that, Kale participated in a trike-a-thon for St. Jude's Hospital the last week of April. You know, like...laps around cones. On a bike. Kale doesn't know how to ride a bike. Two days before, we're out practicing. I'm totally losing my patience. Uncool, I know. I bring the bike to the school the day of the trike-a-thon anyway. I figured it'd give him a good idea on how to ride it, even if he didn't make it one lap. Everyone gears up and is ready to go. Kale's there playing along. They yell "GO" and all the kids roll out, some on scooters, some on bikes. Kale's left in the dust. Slowly, but surely, there he went. One leg, then the other, then the other. Go Kale! He did the whole thing. Now, if only we can get him to go faster than an ice cream truck.

(he's the one on the right on the green bike)

Kale's also been playing soccer. EARLY soccer Saturday mornings. Last Friday, we went bowling to celebrate Melissa's birthday. I told myself that we'd be home early. It was not going to be a late night...since we had soccer at 8:30 a.m. Around 1:30 a.m., I was learning how to do the "Stanky Leg" with Melissa's friend. FAIL. But, Kale was a rockstar out on the field that day. At first we thought soccer was going to be a waste of time, b/c he would get pissy that the ball wasn't his and when he'd get tripped up, he'd pout and want attention. We didn't know how to handle it. So we ended up ignoring him. Kale only has two more games left, but I feel like he's learned so much about himself and you can tell he's more confident out on the field. Sports, man. I wish I'd played more as a child. Ahem...more? I mean a sport. I was the girl sitting out of any athletic activity in Jr. High. Uh, you want me to what? Softball today?... I've got asthma... where should I sit out?

The best four years of my life

From here to there so fast. Slow down my baby boy.

You make me so proud.

Yesterday you turned 4 and our hearts ached.
We reminisced about bringing you home for the first time.
You made us a family.
I love you Ka-Buns.
Happy Birthday.

24 months

Yes, it true. He's two. He's also...

Tenacious

Smart

Loving

Funny

Stubborn

Brave

Tough

Adorable

and a hitter, tantrum-thrower, scratcher/puller.

And, we love it all. Today and everyday. Happy Birthday Mack...

your smile makes it all worth it. We love you.