We Are Young

Early this month, I took a little trip to Huntington Beach, California to visit a few friends.  And we had an incredible weekend......

It took a while to get this movie made, but it was well, worth the wait. Take a moment to see all the fun we did have.

I'll be back to tell you more about it.  We have kidnapped the kids and taken them to a surprise getaway (Lost Pines!!).  So I'm breaking the rules by being online at all.

Enjoy our fun movie!!!

A Weekend Away

Whew!  Is it summer yet???  I feel like I am Sissy's little hamster, running on my wheel, just trying to get to the end of the school year.... round and round and round... so what is keeping us so busy??

Teacher Appreciation Week

Soccer Tournaments

Girl Scout Camp

Student Council Bowling Party

Select Soccer Tryouts

Bubba's Haircut

End of Year Movies

Planning Bubba's 2nd Birthday (awk- I can't believe he is two!!!)

and......

Our Blogging Girls Weekend is FINALLY here!!!

~ for 3 days, I am not gonna be a Momma ~ 

~ no "What's for dinner?  Can I watch a movie?  She hit me!!!" ~

~ 3 days of good conversations, tons of laughs, and relaxation ~

~ no cleaning dust bunnies from the corners or putting dishes away ~

~ 3 days of good food & great drinks ~

~ no poopy diapers!!!! ~

it's gonna be so great!

Can't wait to see Shawn, Viv, Jen, JennyKate, and IA tomorrow!!

Is it weird that I am this excited to meet friends that I only know from online?  That my neighbors look at me like I have 2 heads when I tell them about my weekend?  Nope - I have been friends with these ladies for more than 2 years - we blog, email, text, heytell, tweet, and yes, actually talk on the phone - we laugh together, give advice, share recipes (little miss homemakers that we are...) and do everything (and more) than friends I know who live in my neighborhood.  So I am more than thrilled that I get to hang out with them for 3 days here in my hometown.  It's gonna be fantastic.  

And then I get to come home and get right back on that hamster wheel again....Bubba's Birthday Party, School Book Swap, School Award Assemblies, PTA Party, End of Year Parties..........

yes, I realize what a **STAR** mommy I am going away the weekend of Bubba's 2nd birthday.

yes, I did plan it without remembering his birthday.

yes, I do feel guilty.

yes, he's getting a super-star train party on Sunday afternoon.

it's gonna rock.

and he is only 2.

he won't remember his bad mommy.

Want to Know Wednesday 4.20

 3 Fun Friends are asking some serious questions to get us through the Wednesday Hump:

The theme of the Q&A this week is Friendship:

{1} Do you make friends easily?

Yeah- I do -  going to 13 different schools by the time I had graduated, you get pretty accustomed at putting yourself out there and making new friends. I like to have lots of friends - in different circles of my life.

{2} What 3 qualities are a must in a friend?

A Good Sense of Humor- cause who doesn't like to laugh and have a good time?

Straight Talk - It is so important to me to have friends that can speak their mind.  Please don't skirt an issue or lie just because you think it may hurt my feelings - true friends can speak honestly to one another and will still be friends!

Trustworthy - that is so hard to find in this digital age we live in - so many people like to talk and have so many ways to do it now.  However, if I am confiding in you (which I do, I'm pretty open), I expect that you will respect our friendship and not discuss my business with any one else.

{3} What makes you a good friend?

I truly care about you, your family, your life....I want to know more about you and how I can help you.  I will be there for you! :))

{4} Have you ever met a bloggy friend in real life?

Yes I have - In December of 2009, I had the pleasure of meeting Shawn from Seriously.  We were at The World and she drove over to meet me.  It was so fun to meet in person - I think we were both a little nervous - but with a little help with our friend (Mr. Patron) and a mutual desire to run into some VIP college football quarterbacks, we had so much fun!

Also, this past summer, I met Tanya from Miller Racing Family.  She and her sweet kids met us for lunch as we were driving through their great state of Missouri.  The cool thing? It was as if we had been meeting for lunch for years - we just picked up the conversation where our blogs left off.

{5} Who is your best friend? Tell us about them.

Best Friend is so cryptic for me.  I have so many amazing friends in my life, from so many different circles who have all touched me in one way or another.

When I was working, I had such a great network of amazing friends.  Many whom helped me succeed in my career and we are still close to this day.  So many great memories of these friends.....

Though we live far apart, I am close to family as well.  I didn't grow up with sisters, so I don't know what that is like.  But when I joined Matt's family, his sisters became close friends of mine - we still always have a great time when we are together. So many great laughs with these friends....

I make friends in all the social circles I can.....PTA, Bunco, Boot Camp,  or the occasional wine book club.  So many great bottles of wine/book discussions with these friends....

Friends can be made in all sorts of situations...like training for and running a 10K together.  Nothing says "love" like when you are huffing and puffing through mile 5 together.  So many miles with these friends....

I do have a friend that will always be in life no matter where I may live.  Christie came into my life right when God knew I needed a good Christian mom & friend to learn from.  Our families were inseparable for years, and though we live 3 hours apart, not a day goes by that I don't think of her.   And there is never any hesitation in our conversations, never any doubt in our friendship.  Love this friend....

But truly, I married my best friend.  A best friend to me is someone I want to spend forever with - and that we will!  He makes me laugh, he and I have excellent "straight talk" (sometimes too straight), and I completely trust him with my heart.  Love this best friend....

I really do have lots of friends - friends who I can borrow an egg from, friends who I can be honest with, friends I can go to needing advice, & friends who would help me with my kids in a heartbeat.  

I am so very blessed as God has richly filled my life with friends.

I hope he has with yours too.

Will Run for.......

I love to run. There I said it.  Call me a freak - but ever since I started last Winter, and then ran a half-marathon in the fall, it has become my favorite way to burn the calories.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not out there with a big smile on my face, jogging on air to the 'Chariots of Fire' song.  In fact, I am a sweaty mess, huffing & puffing as I push my 25-lber in a jogging stroller - I don't have the best form and I grumble to myself as I go,  but I love the way it makes me feel.  And I love the way I can push myself - it allows me to be competitive with myself...

sounds crazy.

i know.

mra

Every year, the Austin American Statesman puts on the Capitol 10K and this year my girlfriend convinced me to run it with her.  But we thought it'd be even more fun to get as many friends as we could to run it with us (or walk- we didn't care).

Altogether, we were able to get 17 ladies from Round Rock out to run yesterday!  Hence the creation of the "Real Housewives of Round Rock!"

And what will we run for???

and what did I run for??? 

 we'll talk more about that after the 6.2 miles.....

 what's a little run between friends anyways?

 or how about a few of my 23,000 closest friends??

 the race started up Congress Ave toward the State Capitol.

there was something so very cool about running up Congress- I couldn't take enough pics.....and I had promised Mel I wouldn't take that many......

and we did it - 1:02 15sec - we were excited considering we hadn't really trained that hard for it.....I mean, we had Spring Break..... :)

 My sweet friend Dolly, who despises running, "ran" the race - and didn't sweat any of her makeup off - doesn't she look great fro just completing the run???  Not me - see all red-faced and sweaty - not a bit glamorous.....

 I was just thrilled she had run it - kept telling me for months that she was only doing it for the shirt.  Wanna guess what the back of her shirt said??

Will Run for the T-Shirt.

 It was a fun fun fun race - lots of hilarious costumes - like this one - mom close your eyes -

And it was really great to get a bunch of friends to accomplish something big like this together.  And we all celebrated afterwards....

 And this momma got her Texas Martini.

BTW, our awesome shirts came from MyRaceRagz.com.  Kevin helped us with them and he was incredibly helpful.  If ever you need racing shirts - please consider using them.  I can't say more great things about my experience. And we had more compliments on them.  Many folks wanting to know where i was headed after the race.

follow me to Chuy's.....

The Perfect Weekend

Do you ever have one of those weekends where every thing goes perfect?  You sit back and realize how much you needed that weekend?

I did.

And boy, I needed it.

We moved from Dallas almost 3 years ago and have remained close to our sweet friends.  The Linebargers are those friends that feel almost as close as family.  Scratch that...closer than family.  As soon as you see each other, you fall right back into step as if there was no time between you.

We were neighbors back in 2002 - it was totally a God thing that led us to that house and the best neighbors in the world.  These 2 girls have essentially grown up together and you should see how close they still are.

We traveled up to the Big D for one great reason.......

To celebrate Baby Emmy Linebarger!!  Due to arrive in less than 2 weeks!!!

 We had a wonderful shower and it was so great to see old friends and relax and visit with everyone.

Sweet Chris took both Sis & ChellBell as his date for the Dads & Daughters dance.  Matt was out of town, so Chris graciously stepped in.

 These 3 are best of friends - they al had their hair done before, did each other's makeup and then stayed up until the wee hours of the night giggling until we made them turn the lights out.

Christie & I had the evening to ourselves, as we headed out for a margarita (me) and fajitas.  But the best part of all was just the hours and hours of talking we did.  Nothing can replace amazing conversations with a girlfriend.  Nothing.  We talked about everything, analyzing situations, coming up with solutions, decorating Bubba's big boy bedroom, online shopping for the kids, checking out this very cool show, "The Unpoppables", sweet Emmy's arrival, and planning the next time we see each other (very soon!!).

The weekend also included great bonding time with my mom, where she insisted I buy 4....FOUR....pairs of shoes (it was all her fault Matt!) and we FINALLY figured out Facetime on our 4Gs.  Yay!!  She kept the boys all weekend where the baby became attached to PaPa and Brody was able to play with his cousin.

It was just one of those great weekends, where you walk away refreshed and ready for the week.  Can't we have those kind more often???

Make New Friends

One last vacation post...I mean seriously, our vacation was weeks ago.....but I couldn't NOT post about this.  While planning our trip to Illinois and back, I knew that we would be driving through a few states where some of my most precious blogging friends live.  After having the privilege of meeting (however briefly) with Shawn from Seriously last December, I emailed a few of my "friends" and made plans to meet.  And I am so glad that I did.

I met Tanya from Miller Racing Family over a year and a half ago and we quickly became friends.  Funny story, when I first started reading her blog and saw that she was from "Houston" in the "Texas County" and worked for a newspaper, I automatically assumed she lived in Houston, TX and worked for the Chronicle there.  Another Texas blogger?  Right?  I was so wrong.  As I started reading more, and seeing pictures that most definitely were NOT Houston, TX, I dug a little deeper and figured out we weren't in Texas anymore Toto!

That's ok, though I am partial to Texas, I can be friends with those that are less fortunate not to live here.  I'm kidding y'all. Tanya and I had so much in common, both working moms, working hard for our families, all the while praising our God for all his blessings.  She used to post on Saturdays a song that had blessed her that week, and it always resonated with me as well.  Little did she know how much encouragement she provided me though those posts.

So, I knew that if it worked out, we would have to meet!! And it did- we were able to meet for lunch during our drive from Illinois to Arkansas.  And it was just like catching up with an old friend.  There was no awkward pauses in the conversation, we easily chatted for almost 2 hours.  It was an absolute pleasure to meet Tanya, Trey, and her newest sweet girl, Lila.  And I was sorry to not have more time to visit.

Her sweet hubby, Donnie- the race-car driver, made this amazing sign that sits in the front of the house now.  She also made snacks for the kids for the trip!  So sweet!!

When I started blogging, I did it to keep the family updated in what was going on in Texas.  It soon became a wonderful outlet to chronicle our adventures.  But it has grown into such a wonderful community of friends.  As I log on to read, I can imagine going to see the sexy McDonald's guy with Connie, laughing over a margarita with Shawn (oh, we did that right- how about another?), making one of those amazing Subway Signs with JenJen, hearing all about the scary motorcycle rides with Jen, going camping with Viv (not....maybe we'll go to breakfast and she can show me pictures),  attending one of JennyKate's Twilight parties, going to one of Model's soccer games with MiMi, or learning how to Stamp-it-up with Kelli!!  I have enjoyed getting to know so many of you across the country and I feel like I really, truly know you all.  Thanks fo the endless hours of encouragement and entertainment you have all provided.  My hope it to meet you someday and tell you this in person!

I'm Not a Stalker.....I'm Not a Stalker

Maybe I've mentioned a time or two how much I love Chris Tomlin? No? Well, I do. And my enabling friend, Christie from Pop Rocks for Breakfast, knows that all too well. She dragged me kicking & screaming to yet another concert with Chris (I like to refer to him on a first name basis....as if we're friends.) Yes. This was my 5th concert in 3 years, but who's counting.

So most people don't know who Chris is. Meet the fantastic Chris Tomlin:

He is a contemporary Christian Artist whom I happen to love. He writes amazing worship songs that I bet YOU have sung once or twice in your church. I have always loved his music and have jumped at every opportunity to see him in concert. His concerts are not your ordinary momma's concerts.....he wants you to be a part of the worship. All his lyrics are written on the screen (but for his greatest fan like me, I knew all of them) so you can worship along with him. And it is an amazing experience.

This past Friday, I had the privilege of seeing Chris again. This time it was at my beloved Church, Bent Tree Bible Fellowship, up in the DFW area. This was a much more intimate setting than any other venue I have seen him in before, and since I knew my way around the church, I felt like maybe...just maybe...I could run into him. Chris, that is.

Christie just laughs at me. She thinks my (ahem) obsession with Chris borders on inappropriateness.....you know, cause he's a Christian artist and I'm married.....blah, blah, blah. I don't worship the man. I think what he does to carry on God's Great Word is simply amazing and I admire him. (yeah, that's a good word). I don't think it is him as much as the amazing worship experience we receive from him that I enjoy so much. Hubby has gone with me twice to see him and I know he agrees.....but still says I'm obsessed. Ok, maybe it's a little"star-struck-itis" that I have. I tend to get all giddy when meeting stars...it's ridiculous, I know. I once was ecstatic to meet Colby from Survivor. But I digress.....

We did get there early and we did get great seat (thank you Lord for general admission). And we did see a few people I knew from church that were working the concert and "tried " to get me backstage. And yes, my accomplice said she would go to meet him with me...... Uh huh...I'm not the only one with a crush......

Chris put on a simply A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. concert. He is all about giving glory to God all night long. He makes it abundantly clear that it is not about him (Chris)......but all about God.
Have you heard his song Indescribable before? You have probably never heard it played this way.....

Christie had a few friends at the concert who had a connection (i was so giddy!!!!) to the band. Are you ready for this?? Christie's friend's sister's husband was roommates in college with Jesse. Who is Jesse?? Chris's bassist. So cool, right?? Guess who got to meet him??

here i am, ONE degree away from Chris.

And you know I wasn't above asking him to help me meet Chris. See? Here's the proof. He was so cool about it....said he's be happy to help me meet him, if he hadn't left yet.

Jesse had lots of friends to catch up with and as time was ticking away, I made my move onstage to the door where everyone was lined up to see Chris. Unfortunately, I was a little too late as some important person told us 'Chris has left the building'. However, who comes walking out the door? Daniel. Chris's lead guitarist. Who was so gracious and nice to talk to. We had a great conversation all about Austin - they all used to lead worship at a church in downtown Austin. They just happened to move to Atlanta the same summer I moved to Austin. Figures.

So, my dear friends, the closest I came to meeting Chris was this:

And this:

I'm standing on the X where he sang from all night.

Now I realize, he is just an ordinary guy- like the rest of us. Probably likes to eat chips and salsa and watch Lost. Probably loves to watch college football (he went to A & M) and drives a big ole' truck. He is nothing special. Just someone God handpicked to share the good news with the world in a very special way. I just want the opportunity to tell him what an amazing job he does. How he touches the church and unchurched with his music. How he is a true fisher of men. And that my friends, is NOT stalking.

Giveaways, Swaps, & More

Whew!! we just got back from a quick trip to Central Illinois to wish my super-fantastic Mother-in-law a Happy Birthday in person!!! Talk about planes, trains, & automobiles!! 3 1/2 hour drive to DFW to drop the kiddos off (sans Ian), 1 1/2 hour plane flight to St. Louis, followed by a 2 hour drive up to Springfield.... all together, a 12 hour day. But absolutely worth every minute to see the surprise on her face as we walked in her house Friday night!!

So I am back catching up on laundry, groceries, etc and thought I might as well do a little catch up on the blog. There is SO much going on in Bloggyville these days- lots of fun things you might want to participate in. So here goes!

I have always wanted to participate in a swap and my sweet Florida friend, Shawn from Seriously is hosting one in honor of her "39th-forever" birthday!! If you are interested in meeting new friends across the states, take a minute to visit her blog and sign up! The more that play, the more fun it is.

There are also some terrific and unique giveaways going on this week:

Jen at Tatertots & Jello is hosting a blogoversary giveaway this week...celebrating blogging for one whole year! The giveaway is filled with her favorite things, including these adorable resin necklaces that she has been working on this summer. Even if you don't sign up for her contest, take a minute to visit her blog- she is super-talented and I am always learning great stuff from her! But hurry- the deadline for this giveaway is tonight!!

Do you have an amazing digital picture you would love to display? There are 2 great giveaways featuring poster digital prints. Jessica at This, That , & My Blog is giving away a poster-sized print of your favorite print! How cool is that? I met Jessica through designing my blog last month. She is amazing at that, by the way. Visit her for a reasonable blog make-over. She does GREAT work. The second digital poster print comes from Krystyn at Really, Are you Serious?

She has a really cute blog as well!

And this is long over-due, but I wanted to give a big thank you to Katie from Traveling the Blogosphere for my amazing gift I received last week! I highly encourage you to visit her newest blog. Every day she takes you on a trip to a new location around the globe...featured in her reader's blogs. I have been to Belgium, Arizona, and Seattle (just to name a few) all in the comfort of my home. I think it is a really neat idea, and enjoy reading her blog each day. She had a giveaway a few weeks ago and I was ecstatic to win...wanna see why??

I recieved the most amazing travel goodies, including my favorite Burt's Bees lip balm!!! Thanks so much Katie for allowing me to be the winner!!!

Thanks for sticking with me...go visit my friends blogs and get signed up for some fun!

P.S. I have had a few inquiries about another Flip-Flop Exchange. Is there any interest out there?

Time to Love on your Friends.....

Happy Monday everyone! Did you have a wonderful Independence Day? We did- I'll post more on that later. Kids are at soccer camp this AM and Ian is barely sleeping, so I have a quick minute to join into Friend Makin' Monday. To find out more about FMM, please visit Kasey at All That's Good. This week, Kelli from Outside My Kitchen Window is hosting and has a fun question:

Tell us about your BFF...where did you meet, was it BFF at first sight, how long have you been friends, etc.

What makes her your BFF...what is it about this person that makes her so special to you?

What a great topic!! I get to gush all about my friend, Christie. Many of you know her from Pop Rocks for Breakfast. I have been incredibly blessed to have her in my life. Where do I start??

6 years ago, right about this time, our little family was expecting baby #2 and needed a bigger house to live in. God blessed us with Jack on HIS timing....which was absolutely perfect, so we made the decision to move rather quickly and quite unexpectedly. we found the perfect house and were moving in on a hot July day when over came our new neighbors with a plate full of warm chocolate chip cookies and a bottle of sparkling lemonade. And of course, we instantly clicked.

They had an adorable red-headed little girl that was just about Morganne's age. So that similarity initially brought us together for birthday parties, playdates, and trips to story time at the library. The more time we spent together, the more we realized how much fun we had together.

We have so many incredible memories together. Christie loves to celebrate and always finds fun things for us to do together as families. From Children's Christmas Parades to Breakfast with Santa, to game-playing ice days and pedicures with the girls, to filming a reality home-improvement show together (that will be for another post- what fun!) and photo-scavenger hunts. We have had so many incredible memories together!!

What makes Christie so dear to me is that I can tell her anything. She is a Godly women and I trust her implicitly. She is a wonderful "second mom" to my kids...they have never NOT known life without Miss Christie and she spoils them rotten and treats them as if they were her own children. She is one of the most giving ladies I have ever known, always asking what can she do to help and offering even when you never ask....

Crazy Halloween parties.....

We think so alike that even living in different cities, we managed to pick out the same winter coat....

I thank God that he placed us in our little home right next door to their family. And even with 3 hours between us, we still manage to see each other often!! My prayer is that never changes. She is so much more to me than a friend...she is the sister I never had.