Happy Birthday, Baby...

Three years ago today, my baby was born! I cannot believe he is three!! We decided to take him horse-back riding for his birthday since he is obsessed with cowboys, horses, and roping calves!
He (and the other two) had a blast. They did some "training" in the arena and then went out for a little ride in the pasture! This picture shows Thomas on "Doc", Mary Frances on "Nifty", and Chase on "Rio", a horse from Texas!

They rode for about 45 minutes. They were so cute and so little that the stirrups wouldn't adjust to fit them! Chase and Mary Frances even got to gallop a little.
It was so much fun to see him so excited and having so much fun!
What a special birthday! We finished up with swimming with friends and then cake and homemade ice cream at Honey and Grandaddy's - and, of course, gifts!

FREE...

So, this is what I got for FREE today! Actually, they paid me $1.20 for taking it off the shelves after giving me coupons for my next purchase because I "bought" these particular products! Can you believe that? This is $27 worth of products!

The rest of this is $35.80 worth of products that I only paid $21.60 for AND got $11 off my next overall purchase!!

So, here's my total for today:

Retail: $65.57
Total I Paid: $22.05
Plus I got $12 in coupons off my next CVS purchase!!! I love this!!
Total savings: $43.52 - about 66% !!!!!

Are you going to jail?

As I was approaching a light today, it turned yellow.  I had plenty of time to stop, but I decided to continue through.  Unfortunately, it did not go unnoticed.  Here is what we heard from the backseat:

Chase: "Mommy, you run a red light."

Me: "Yes, I did.  I'm sorry."

Thomas: "You ran a red light?  Did you turn right?"

Me: "No, Thomas.  I turned left.  I'm sorry."

Mary Frances: "Are you going to jail?"

Me: "I hope not."

I guess I'd better be more careful, huh!?!  At least the conversation is proof that I explain things well, right!?!

Date Night

Thomas and I had a date tonight!  It was so difficult to leave the house because Mary Frances was devastated that I wasn't taking her.  We date often, and Mary Frances went with me last time.  So, it was Thomas' turn.  Besides, I'm really wanting to spend some time with him before Kindergarten starts.

Anyway...we went to see the Bee Movie up at our park for Movie in the Park.  Our neighborhood has been doing the movie in the park once a month this summer.  It was so much fun.  Everyone took their own lawn chairs and blankets.  There was a free snow cone machine, and the neighborhood swim team sold food as a fund raiser.  It was so much fun, and a beautiful night to do it.  Thomas laid on the blanket with me for a while, and I really enjoyed snuggling with my sweet boy.

Where is the black shirt?

I have lost 2 black shirts that belong to Mary Frances.  After a very frustrating search, I asked Mary Frances, "If you were a black shirt, where would you be?"  

She said, "Um, at Honey and Grandaddy's house!"

Too bad I can't look there.  The search continues...

Right Foot Shoes...

So I was looking for a refrigerator on Craig's list tonight and came upon this post.  It's for real:

Free Right Foot Shoes

"I no longer wear prosthesis.  Have a dozen right foot shoes size 6 1/2 to 7.  Most flats.  Barely worn!" 

I can't stop laughing!  I would love to know if anyone is actually looking on Craig's list for right foot shoes only!  What are the chances?  

(Just to be clear...I am not making fun of the person posting - only the way the post sounds! You have to admit it is funny!!)

Pigs in the Blanket

I had some great help cooking dinner tonight!  Mary Frances made her favorite dish - fruit salad!  She cuts up the bananas and apples and dumps in the grapes and strawberries, etc.  

Chase set the table - plates, spoons, forks, and napkins!  He did such a good job!
And Thomas' job was helping with the pigs in the blanket, but Chase helped too!  It was actually fun!  Cooking with the kids is usually very stressful, but tonight I enjoyed the entire process!  What fun! 

Another Chase-ism

Chase doesn't say "won't". He says "willn't".  Well, it does make more sense doesn't it?  I always wondered where won't came from anyway!

So, the other day he kept saying it, and Ray C. started to correct him.  I quickly stopped him and begged him not to correct him.  Why?  Because I love the baby words, and I really am in no rush for Chase to have perfect English! Can't I just have a few more weeks of the cute words? 

I willn't let him go to kindergarten with this word, but it is just too cute to correct today!

50% Savings!!!

Okay people, it's for real!  Here are the pictures from my first day of shopping with The Grocery Game list!  These are all things I will use in the next 3 months before they go back on sale! 
 So, I will not need to pay full price for them again!!  I am hooked!  I already loved saving money, but I had no idea you could save so much on groceries!  I got all the shampoo (3) and conditioner (3) and 2 Powerades for FREE!!!   I felt like I was stealing from the grocery store! Here are the numbers: 

Retail price I normally pay: $236.95

Actual amount I spent today: $114.86

I saved over 50%!!!!  I am so excited!!!  

If you don't try this, you are wasting your money!  

Again, the key is to combine the in-store deals with the coupons for maximum savings!

The Butler

The kids love this butler in our Kroger.  Every time we pass him, they stop to pose just like him.  So, the other day I had my camera with me and took a picture!  I love it!

The Remote

I love that Chase calls the remote control for the Wii - the Wiimote!  He really thinks that's what it is!  

Holly and Keith's New Baby

My friend, Holly, had her third little boy last week.  Meet Kaden...  He is so cute, and his big brothers are in love with him.  I love watching them with him. 

Free Chicken

Mmmm... It was good!  We had fun dressing up as cows today, and each of the kids got a free meal!  Thank you chick-fil-a!

Free Chicken

Dress like a cow on Friday and get a free chicken nuggets meal.   I don't know if this is everywhere, but I know the Hughes family is going to be mooooving down the road all dressed up just to get some free food!  Shameless, I know, but hey, it's FREE!!  BTW, it's only the kids dressing up!

A True Princess

He Jumped..

After a year of anticipation and coaxing, Thomas finally jumped off the diving board today!  And, of course, once he did it, he wouldn't stop!  

I was so proud of him.  I have noticed that he has such a hard time convincing himself he CAN do something that he really wants to do.  He's been wanting to jump since last year and just couldn't muster up enough courage, but today he did.

Next, the water slide... We've been waiting on this one a while too!

Grocery Savings

Groceries are getting more expensive, and as my children grow, they are eating so much more! I've been talking to several of my friends as we are all trying to figure out how to save money!

So, I am trying something I heard about several years ago. I couldn't do it then because I lived in a little town that didn't have one of the grocery stores they check! Anyhow...

I have signed up to play The Grocery Game. You can sign up for a 1 month trial for $1. After that, it is $5 a month. The idea is that store sales are on about a 3 month cycle. So, each week, you save all of the coupon books you get in the Sunday paper and label then with the date. Then, you check the grocery game website each week for the new list. You subscribe to only the list(s) for the grocery store(s) that you use. They will tell you what items are on sale and when to "play" your coupon.

So, the point is that you don't use your coupon until the item is on sale. That way you maximize your savings, and, often, you get things FREE!!!! For example, if Coffeemate normally costs $3.00, it is on sale for $2, and you have a 50 cent coupon that Kroger doubles, then you get Coffeemate for $1!! OR, if macaroni and cheese is $1, but it's on sale for 75 cents and you have a 25 cent coupon that Kroger triples, you get Mac and Cheese FREE!!!

They promise great savings. I met someone in the store today that has been doing it for 6 months and said it is GREAT. She said you just need to have room to store things because the whole idea is that you stock up on the things that are at rock bottom prices so you have them when you need them rather than having to pay full price when you need them.

Anyway, that's enough explanation. Go check it out. I really think it is worth our time to try this out. And while we're talking about saving money...if you do sign up, put me down for referring me because I save money on the referral! Let me know if you try it! I'll keep you updated! It will take a few weeks for me to save up the coupons and then be able to use them!

You can also check out www.couponmom.com for more savings.

My Baby

I sure do love this baby! I can't believe he is almost THREE! It has recently occurred to me - hold on to your seats for this one - that Chase is the exact same age as Thomas was when I had Chase!! That means Thomas was this same age when I also had an 18 month old and a newborn!! How did I survive? It was only by the grace of God, seriously!

I have told my mother several times that I knew I would never understand how I was going to make it through, and it is true! Although life with three little kids is still difficult and busy, nothing can compare to having three children under the age of 3 and ALL in diapers! You should have seen me buying diapers on sale!! I was a mad woman!

Anyway, I'd just like to say - I made it! Here are a few things I've learned to appreciate:

1. Chocolate ALWAYS calms my nerves.
2. Bed time (for the kids) is ALWAYS good!
3. Sleeping kids are very innocent and make you feel somewhat guilty for disciplining harshly - but only until the moment they wake up!
4. Sleeping through the night is AWESOME!
5. Preschool is such a relief!
6. How did mothers before me live without SUV grocery carts?
7. Continuous spray sunscreen might be the best summer-time invention ever!
8. Floaties and swimming lessons...
9. Powder fresh diapers :)
10. The unconditional love I receive from my sweet babies every single day!! Thank you God for my blessings! May everyone who desires know they same love!

Thomas Rocks...

Thomas has been trying to finish "Slow Ride" on Guitar Hero for about a week! (For those of you who don't know this is a game on the Wii game system!) I have been so proud of him. He just keeps trying no matter how many times he gets booed off the stage!! He has done the tutorial several times, practiced, and then just gone for it!! He started out by finishing only about 20%, then 22%, then 44%, etc. Finally, today, he finished 98% and 99%, and all of us were cheering him on in the living room! We all screamed and yelled when he finally finished and the TV blasted "You Rock" on the screen!!! He is very proud of himself! Now he's on to a new song!

Pee Pee

Recently during bath time, Thomas yelled out, "Mommy, Chase said he pooped in the bath tub."  You have to understand that Thomas was taking a bath WITH Chase.  Thus the reason for being so disturbed.  

As I walked in the bathroom, I asked, "Chase, did you poopy in the bathtub?" 

His reply was a confused look and "No, I just pee pee in the bath tub!"  

I'm glad it was Thomas is the tub with him and not me!!

Princess Camp and Warrior Prince Academy

Thomas and Mary Frances attended Princess Camp and Warrior Prince Academy this week put on by Royal Purpose Ministries here in Houston!  The kids had a blast!  

Girls have never seen so much pink and frill in one place!  It was a little girls heaven!  The best part is that it was not about getting everything you want but about being a "True Princess" of the King of Kings!  I love the message the girls learned while appealing to their most girly dreams of being a real princess!

"I am a true princess, a daughter of the king.  I have a royal purpose cause Jesus is my everything.  I long for my Prince who sees the beauty within, and this I know - He loves me so.  My heart will wait for Him!"  

It will make you cry watching these little girls talk about God in such an intimate way!

We kept the boys as far from pink as possible.  They made swords and shields, and learned all about being a warrior for Christ.  They were drilled on the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, and the shield of faith!  They learned a battle cry, and warrior chant, and a knight's code of honor - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind!"

Thomas had a lot of fun!  It was a great week!

Fairy Bride

Pictures from the Fairy Wings Wedding

Chase

"Mommy, Chase has something from the kitchen."  I just assumed Mary Frances meant he had taken one of the "tools" that I sometimes let him use.  However, a few minutes later, I walked in the room to see what Chase had as I was wandering what in the world was all over the floor! I looked up to see Chase running laps through all the downstairs rooms with a spice jar of Oregano turned upside down!  Sometimes, it doesn't matter how late you are - you just have to stop what you're doing and clean up a ridiculous mess.  

Argh...

Another Tooth

I finally pulled Thomas' tooth last night.  The thing has been ready to be pulled out for a week! Seriously, it has been so wiggly!  So, we pulled it out, and he was so excited to get another dollar from the tooth fairy!  He's getting to be so big!  I still can't believe my baby is loosing his teeth!  I'll spare you the details on how long we've had this one.  Although,  I could easily pull out the info on it!!

Where Do Babies Come From?

Mary Frances is very interested in how the babies actually come out.  She doesn't really care how they got there!  A friend in our Life Group just had her baby on Monday.  So, we've talked about this more lately.  She has also been having some discussion with another friend in our Life Group who is a pediatrician.  She is very disturbed by the whole c-section idea!  

So, the other day she was riding her bike down the street while I was in our front yard and she stopped to talk to one of the neighbors who happens to be a friend of mine.  The neighbor said, "Is your name Mary Alice?"  She said, "No, I'm Mary Frances, and I came from my mommy's vagina!"  

(I'm really sorry to be so blunt, but I just couldn't keep this off the blog.  This is why I keep the blog, and this is why you read it, isn't it?)

Needless to say,  the neighbor, who luckily is a woman, was stunned and didn't even know what to say!  She came down and asked if we had recently had a discussion about babies.  Actually, I haven't really been talking to her about it recently.  

Anyway, later I told Mary Frances that is really wasn't appropriate to be talking about mommy's private parts to other people and that she should only discuss this with our female family members and the doctor!  She was fine with that.  I also explained to her that it was fine for her to know about it and it wasn't bad but that it just wasn't something we should discuss with other people!

Let's do remember that this is the child that once used Vagisil as a toothpaste! (See "New Toothpaste" April 22, 2007)

A Cheesy Excuse for Being Late...

I finally had dinner ready early enough tonight so that we didn't have to rush through it to get out of the house in time for Life Group.  We had spaghetti.  Maybe it wasn't the best choice for trying to be quick and easy since it is so messy.  

Anyway, as I was cleaning up and the kids were finishing, one of my brides called.  I talked to her for about 1 minute and came back in the kitchen to discover Chase sitting on top of the table pouring together water, chocolate milk, and parmesan cheese.  I was grossed out at the look of it, and getting on to him while cleaning it up.  I wasn't even looking at the kids as I was telling them we needed to get our shoes on so we could leave and be on time.  

As I looked up I realized that Chase had also topped everyone's heads and ice cream with Parmesan Cheese.  So, off to the bathroom we run for a bath and we were still on time!!  Three cheers for us!!

Royalty

We were listening to a song from Princess Camp today about Royalty.  So, here is the discussion in the back of the van tonight:

Mary Frances: "No, Thomas, it isn't about boys.  It's princesses."

Thomas:  "Well, it says Royal "T"." (Sometimes we call Thomas "Big T" or Little "t".)

Mary Frances: "No, Thomas.  It isn't that kind of "t".  They're talking about the kind of tea you drink (i.e. Royal Tea).

So, we are laughing in the front seat trying to describe what royalty actually means!  These kids crack me up!

Do I Look Fuzzy?

Thomas has a little friend at camp that wears glasses.  During music yesterday, the little boy took off his glasses.  With a very surprised look, Thomas said, "Hey, why did you take those off?  Can you still see me?"  When his friend replied "Yes", Thomas said, "Well do I look fuzzy or something?"  His little friend said, "You do look kind of funny."  Thomas replied in defense, "Hey, I don't look funny." Poor kid, he just couldn't win!  It was hilarious to watch!  I was trying to keep from laughing while we were supposed to be quiet!!

VBS - Ice Cream Sundae

Ray C. was in charge of recreation for VBS this year! We only had 500 kids!! Can you believe that? Anyway...everyone kept telling me what a great job he did. I can't understand why they were surprised that he would be good at recreation, but I'm glad they were impressed. Apparently, the kids had a really good time. All week long they talked about turning Pastor Ray into a Human Ice Cream Sundae. So, the kids and I went up to enjoy the show Friday morning. It was quite a show! First they dumped ice cream all over him...
then cool whip, and chocolate syrup. Finally, Godfrey, our Senior Pastor, dumped the cherries on top. He was quick to take a bite and run off the stage before Ray C. saw him up there. I think that was smart on his part!!
So, after they finished, they handed out spoons to some of the volunteer moms - not quite sure how I feel about that, but since I was there, I guess it's okay! They let the kids and I go up and gave us spoons as well, but I wasn't about to eat off of him after he'd been sweating for 3 hours doing recreation with the kids! I don't want to eat off of any body's sweaty body - even if it is my own SUPER HOT husband!! :)

I Know..I Know

Life has been nuts this past month!!!! Thomas graduated from preschool and summer began. I am now trying to balance being a mom and working from home - not really working out that well, but I'm figuring it out. My mother has been pretty sick the past 2 weeks, but she is doing much better now!

Thomas has been bitten twice by fire ants which is a BIG deal for a child who is highly allergic to fire ants! We've done more testing with the allergist, and he finally started his allergy shots last week - only to get another ant bite that night!!

I have started my busy season with weddings, and, of course, I'm LOVING it! I had two weddings this weekend and then got a sinus infection. I didn't get to sing in church this morning which was really depressing for me, but I enjoyed lounging a little this morning!

We did finish the weekend off very nicely by enjoying the amenities of our neighborhood. We lounged at the pool for a little while with the neighbors and then we headed to the park and checked out some canoes. We canoed for about an hour through the neighborhood - under bridges and everything. It was SO nice. I kept telling Ray C., "This is so relaxing, and we're not even on vacation!" We seriously live in the coolest neighborhood.

I will try to be a better blogger this month! Sorry if you have been bored! I can assure you that my house has been anything but boring. I just haven't been able to blog it all! I will say that there has been a lot of discussion about the EpiPen in our house!!!

Have a fun week! Hopefully I'll be back at it soon - with pictures!

It's Time to Vote

Okay friends...just for fun, I've added a poll just to the right of this post! Be sure to vote! I'm pretty sure you all come to my blog for my expert parenting advice (especially on the topic of potty training), but I wanted to see the numbers to be sure!!! :) Have a blessed day!!

Compassion International

It recently occurred to me that I have not ever mentioned something very dear to my heart on this blog! We have two other children that I've never introduced you to! So, I am very pleased to introduce you to...

Wendy Nohemy Mendoza Morales
Wendy will be 9 or 10 this June. Parents don't keep up with birth dates like we do. So, getting an exact date and age is difficult! She lives in Guatemala with both of her parents and 2 sisters. In Wendy's village there are so many children needing assistance that Compassion cannot care for each child. So, they have chosen one child from each family - usually the one requiring the most help. Sad, isn't it? Wendy has been part of our family for 2 years, and we had the HUGE privilege of getting to meet her 2 summers ago! We took her, her mother, grandmother, and teacher to the zoo in Guatemala City! It was so much fun, and because I had been learning Spanish, I was able to communicate with them some without the interpreter!

and

Makenson St. Juste

Makenson was 13 years old when he joined our family, but he has grown so much! He just turned 19 a few months ago. He lives in Haiti with both of his parents and 3 siblings.
Makenson does okay in school but not great! I have been trying to encourage him to do his best. That is the only way he has a hope for the future! Through Compassion, he has the opportunity to continue school if he desires. He has always had a passion for soccer.

We sponsor these kids for $32 a month each. That pays for their Christian education, hygiene products, healthy meals, and much more. We have the option of sending extra money for the family once a year that Compassion helps them spend wisely. We also send money to Compassion each year for their birthdays and Christmas. Compassion buys gifts for the younger children but allows the older ones to make decisions on how to spend theirs. They always thank us for the gifts and tell us what they received or bought.

This past Christmas, Wendy got a new skirt and shirt that she wore to her Christmas Service. She was so proud. Makenson has bought goats for his family, a bicycle, a soccer ball, and more I can't remember. I love hearing what they received and how much they enjoyed it!

I LOVE this ministry dearly and strongly recommend it to anyone who has ever wanted to support a child like this. We receive letters from the kids about 3 times a year and can write as often as we like. If you are interested in checking it out, go to www.compassion.com. You can look at pictures of the children waiting for sponsorship and read about them. It is a great opportunity for older children to have a pen pal. I suggest choosing one in a country you are likely to visit anyway so that you can arrange a meeting sometime, if possible!

I don't know if anyone is interested, but I had to share it. I couldn't do anything better than this with $32 a month! I'll leave you with the verse I shared with Makenson and Wendy in my latest letter to them, "I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11-12

In Christ,

Jacqueline

Happy Day-After Mother's Day

I'm glad I got a nice long day of enjoying the recognition for putting up with all the crap I do because when I woke up the crap almost hit the fan! Well, if there had been a fan near the stairs it would have hit it!

Yes, I'm serious! We were doing good, going to be on time, and ready to walk out the door in a matter of 5 minutes until I heard, "Mommy, Chase got poopy all over me!" Your eyes really don't know what to expect to see when you hear such a thing. So, with much anticipation, I turned the corner to see Mary Frances all dolled up in her pretty little purple dress and costume jewelry complete with a Princess crown AND poop smeared on her cheek, arm, dress, legs, socks, shoe, and even in her hair!

When I asked what happened, she replied, "Chase took off his underwear and threw them at me." Fortunately (and stupidly) for me, Chase does not usually wear underwear, but he has been pee-peeing in the potty a lot. So, I let him wear the underwear this morning, and I was about to put his diaper on for school!

When I walked up stairs to get a diaper, I noticed it all over the stairs, too! Imagine my joy!! So, we basically started all over. Mary Frances had a bath and got another outfit on. I cleaned the carpet the best I could. I dressed the boys, and we were only about 15 minutes late!

I felt like I smelled like crap all day, but hey, that's the life of a mom, right!?!

Happy Mother's Day

Ray C. left just as I was getting up Sunday morning, and Chase woke up soon after. He was laying on the floor in my closet while I was getting ready when he looked up at me (at 6:00 in the morning) and said, "Mommy, you pretty." It was a great Mother's Day!

My family took me out to TGI Friday's which was actually fun! We visited the pool for 2 hours and with 2 life saving devices for each child! Then, Ray C. picked up around the house and we had a nice quiet evening!

I went to school Mother's Day parties on Friday and received gifts from the kids. I love getting the little gifts they make. I really appreciate the teachers taking so much time to make us something special!

Mommy to the Rescue

We are so excited that our pool is open on weekends for the month of May. So, we have been visiting as much as possible! However, our trip on Saturday was very frightening!

Ray C. and I were both watching the kids and chatting with some friends. Thomas was playing in the 3 ft. 3 inch water and the other 2 pretty much stay in the 1 ft water. So, we kept checking on them. At one point I looked over and couldn't see Chase. So, I stood up and looked around and noticed him flailing in the 3 ft pool. I ran through water as fast as I could to get to him, passing 2 life guards on the way! I don't know how long he was there before I got to him, but he was terrified. We didn't stay much longer, but he wouldn't go back in the water the rest of the time.

It didn't really hit me until he went to sleep that night, and then I lost it! It is so scary to realize that we can only do so much. I can't protect them from everything. And then, my husband preached the next day on "Mothering is not for Cowards" and the fact that our relationships were designed for separation. It's so hard to hear that and yet important to understand!

Old Videos

I got out the video camera yesterday. So, the kids and I decided to watch some video from when they were babies. I completely fell apart when Mary Frances came on the screen. She was not even two years old. Every time she came on and started talking, tears streamed down my face - just like they are now. It was a combination of 2 things:
1. She was so adorable. I could just eat her up.
2. I don't remember anything about her then! This absolutely breaks my heart! :( I remembered things about the boys. Nothing really surprised me when I was watching them, but I felt like I was watching someone else's adorable child, not my own.

I seriously don't remember anything about this stage in her life. I had a potty training three year old and a brand new baby. So much for protecting the middle child, huh!?!

I am really upset about it and determined to spend as much time with them as I can. I am so blessed to have these children in my life. I cannot let this time slip away from me. I do not want to watch another video and feel the way I did yesterday. What a horrible feeling!

The main reason I am keeping this blog is to record all of these things. I am so thankful to be able to look back and read and remember all the cute and insane things they have done in the past year and a half!

Here's to many more memories...

A new name...

When I started this blog a year and a half ago, I had no idea I would actually stick with it. Had I been thinking more clearly, I would have started with a name that would last a little longer. But, if I remember correctly, I created the thing at 4:30 one morning. So, I don't think I was thinking clearly. Why was I even on the computer at 4:30?

Anyway, I will only be the "mommy of three preschoolers" for a few more months! Thomas is going to kindergarten in the fall. So, I feel the need to change the name of my blog! I think I'll stick with the same address (maybe), but the name at the top will be different. I would like it to be creative. Any ideas? I was trying to think of famous things with three, but none of them seem appropriate:

Three Blind Mice
Three Little Pigs
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Rub-a-dub,dub...Three men in a a tub - YIKES!! Who came up with that one?
We Three Kings

I need some help. This is a big deal. I don't want to take it lightly. This has been a part of me for a long time now. I's kind of sad to sad goodbye and move on. I know it's silly, but it means by babies are growing up.

Anyway, let me know if you have any ideas!

Fire Ants

When Thomas was 3 years old, he got 88 fire ant bites all over his legs . We had to take him to the little hospital in Crossett, Arkansas, where we were visiting my grandparents and other family. It was very scary. The doctor told us an adult could have died from that many bites. They gave him a shot of cortisone to relieve the itching and sent us home.

As a result of that incident, Thomas is now HIGHLY allergic to fire ants. One bite on his foot swells his foot so much that he can't even wear a shoe. So, I finally got him in to see the Allergist. I had to lather his arms in Lidocaine this morning in preparation for several sticks (similar to TB tests). They didn't want him to feel much since they might have to do several to determine how severe his allergy is.

Anyhow, the first thing they did was a little prick test. He had such a severe reaction to the prick, that they never did anything else. They didn't even need the Lidocaine! The doctor said he had never seen anyone react to fire ants like that!

He broke out in a rash all over his body. His face started swelling and got very red. The doctor was concerned enough to check his throat to be sure it wasn't closing up. They brought in some Benadryl and then gave him an epinephrine shot on top of that. He quickly returned to his normal coloring, but I was scared for a few minutes. They brought in 2 doctors and 3 nurses just to check him out!

Thomas did great the whole time. He was so brave. He got to go to Starbucks with daddy after school for some chocolate milk.

Amazingly they are able to reverse the allergy to fire ants. Can you believe that? The only problem is that Thomas will have to go in to the doctor once a week for SEVEN MONTHS to get a shot, and then he'll have to go once a month for 2-3 years. They will give him a small amount of the venom at a time trying to build up his immunity!

It is so amazing what is available to us - not only at this time in history but also in this country! I am so thankful for the doctors who have helped us through this issue in particular!

The Wedding Planner

I am so excited to announce the launch of my new business -- Northwest Houston Weddings! I have been moving in this direction since planning my own wedding 10 years ago - wow!! I started a wedding business while we were in seminary but had to leave it behind when we moved back to Florida! I've been the Wedding Coordinator at our church in Houston since the week we moved here! So, this has almost fallen in my lap! I am so excited to be doing something I absolutely LOVE!! I love wedding day - especially the smell of wedding day!

I have been blessed with some great friends who have been helping me make everything look professional (i.e. the logo :))!! This has been a fun and very busy process!!

So, here I am - a Wedding Planner. Check out my website at www.nwhoustonweddings.com. You can also find me at www.perfectweddingguide.com. I have been online with them for only a week and have already generated three contacts!!

Just thought you might like to know...

Time for Church

Aren't they cute??

T-Ball

We started t-ball last night and had so much fun! It was just practice, but we had a blast!
This is Mary Frances hitting the ball! Hooray, Mary Frances!

Ray C. is the coach by default! No one else volunteered. So, he stepped up, but I think he is really excited about it! Although I did hear him jokingly say he was more nervous about coaching 4 and 5 year olds than high schoolers! I can't imagine why!?!
Coach Daddy, as he is lovingly called in our home, pumps up the team after a great first practice!
Go, Thomas!
As soon as Thomas got a hit, he took off running and threw down his helmet! It was hilarious! It looked as if he was shedding the extra weight to improve his speed!! :) I'm not sure that went through his mind, but that's what it looked like!
And he scores! Hooray, Thomas!
Coach Daddy with his little girl in her cute little PINK belt! Ray C, loves her playing, but he's determined she is going to look like a little girl, too! He's the one buying and insisting on the pink!!
Run, Mary Frances! Great hit!!!

Blackberries...Yummmy

We took the back way home yesterday and say blackberry bushes for miles!! So, we decided to take a little detour and pick some! We came home with a Chick-fil-a bag FULL of them!
Ray C. and I enjoyed some memories of picking them as little kids! What fun! I'm going to make my mom's delicious Blackberry Cobbler tomorrow night!!

Happy With Who We Are

As we were waiting for our food last night at Denny's, I asked the kids a question and thought you might like their responses:

Q: "Thomas, what is your favorite thing about being a boy?"
A: "Going to the men's restroom. I get to use cool potties in there!"

Q: "Mary Frances, what is your favorite thing about being a girl?"
A: "Wearing dresses."
Q: "Why?"
A: "Because they're girlish!"

Q: "Chase, what is your favorite thing about being a boy?"
A: "Cars!"

Call me Sentimental...

Today, Thomas lost his first tooth, and I really mean his first tooth! I remember the day it came in - 5 years and 20 days ago, exactly! (I did have help from the baby book on the date!) Of course, with your first child, all of the firsts are super exciting. So, we had been anxiously waiting for the first tooth to arrive after all that drooling and "teething". Ray C. had a study group over in Seminary, and I was putting Thomas to bed when I felt the tooth in his mouth! I remember running into the living room and announcing it to all the guys. Normally, a group of guys wouldn't care much, but this group of guys all had babies too. So, we all rejoiced in this first together!

So, today, we pulled it out, and I want to cry! I can't believe my little baby all bundled up in his warm blue onesie has grown into this 5 year old kid! I am so thankful that he has, but I just can't believe the time has passed so quickly!

The tooth has been wiggly for weeks, but it has been sitting crooked in his mouth for the last day or 2. So, he decided he would try eating an apple to get it out. It didn't take long for the apple to get a little bloody, but it still needed a little "push" from mommy and daddy!

Chase and Mary Frances thought it was pretty funny when they saw the missing tooth for the first time! I loved how Chase just pointed at Thomas' mouth!!
Thomas was so excited about losing it! He can't wait to show his friends at church tomorrow! I believe I saw the tooth fairy in his room earlier. I'm looking forward to seeing what he got, but I'll have to wait until he wakes up in the morning! He was so excited when he went to sleep with the tooth underneath his pillow. He said he would look underneath as soon as he wakes up! I can't wait!!

I am excited for him. It is another milestone we get to rejoice in together, but it still makes me sad to see him growing up so quickly!

Grandaddy's Name

I heard my mom telling this story this weekend and realized I never blogged it! So, this may have happened before I began my blog, but it is definitely worth recording! A few years ago, I was testing the kids to see if they knew everyone's real names! I asked Mary Frances was Grandaddy's name was, and she said, "Grandaddy." Then I said, "but what does Honey call Grandaddy." To that she replied, "For Heaven's Sake!"

Sound the Alarm..Here Comes Thomas

Today was a big day for the Hughes family! We registered Thomas for kindergarten! I expected the line to be outrageous, but there wasn't one when I was there! I found that very exciting news since I will be doing kindergarten registration for three consecutive years!

Anyway, it was pretty painless. Of course, I brought a phone bill instead of a utility bill as proof of residence. So, I had to take all 3 kids back home to get the right thing, but still, it was no big deal!

The kids did great during the registration. I was very nervous about how I was going to handle them all while doing it, but they sat at a table and colored and played with some other children!! We knew several other kids registering - neighbors and friends from preschool!

As I was preparing to leave, the lights went out. I knew immediately that one of my children was to blame. So, I saw Thomas messing with the light switch and told him to turn it back on. As soon as I got across the room to get the lights back on THE FIRE ALARM WENT OFF!!! Unfortunately for me, it was not a scheduled drill! The red switch had called Thomas' name, and he gave in! I honestly don't think he knew what it was because he would have never done it. He hates loud noises and is always concerned about our house alarm going off!

What seemed like 5 minutes was probably only about 20 seconds, but I was mortified! Luckily, no one had to be evacuated. Someone with a walkie turned it off and told the front office it was a mistake. We left as quickly as possible!

What a way to start your public school career. Watch out! Here we come....