Where art thou?

I cannot beLIEVE this is the first day of June! (Well, it was when I started this post anyway!) It's been a month since I last posted. That's terrible! May was a good month, full of fun and memory-making moments. It started with Carleigh's recital, which was my last post. The week after that, Kelvin completed his last final exams ever! Yeehaw! I cannot even begin to explain how proud I am of this man of mine! He is AMAZING! The next weekend was Mother's Day. The kids and Kelvin made me feel special...as always. Carleigh got up before the chickens and made me breakfast. She is such a doll. We went to church and then headed down to one of our favorite restaurants on the water.

The very next day, Kelvin and I headed out for four days by.our.selves! It was WONDERFUL. We stayed at a sweet little place in Fredericksburg and took in the sites like we've never done before. We ate at a couple of really great places, hiked Enchanted Rock, and went to the Nimitz Museum. We also swam in the pool and sat in the hot tub one afternoon, took a nap before bedtime, and got in a run one morning. It was heavenly. Then we came home...back to reality. ;)

Shera, Princess of Power!

 



When we returned, it was time for graduation! We were all so excited...especially me! Kelvin may have been a little bit more excited than me, but I don't know. I had to make some signs so he could spot us in the stands. The kids were totally psyched to see themselves on the jumbotron screen at Minute Maid Park. Before the ceremony began, there was a Twitter feed scrolling on the screen. Luke thought it was very cool to see my tweet, "So proud of our UHDad! {heart}, Carleigh, Luke and Cora


One of the cutie pies he saw in the stands.

Processional--Kelvin sees us in the stands and gives us a big smile and wave. :)

 

Photo op with the president of the Univeristy of Houston-Downtown

So happy together



Our University of Houston-Downtown Dad

 

1. Kelvin and his grandma 2. Kelvin and Andrew & Priscilla, his niece and nephew 3. Kelvin and his mom
4. Kelvin and his Uncle Gene 5. University of Houston-Downtown School Emblem 6. Kelvin's Aunt Carol & Uncle Tommy
7. Cora giving some graduation kisses 8. Kelvin and Luke 9. Kelvin and Carleigh 10. Kelvin and his delicious chocolate cake--You are the MAN!

 

After graduation, Kelvin started a new job at Lubrizol. He is now the supply chain manager. He also had a birthday in May. He's kinda like a fine wine...just gets better with age.

Carleigh had her 5th grade play day at the local water park. I got teary-eyed watching her and her friends she's had since preschool having a ball celebrating the end of elementary school. I also got to go to her final choir festival the next day. Hopefully I'll find time soon to post some pics and more details about her 5th grade events.

Tomorrow, Carleigh turns 11. She graduates from elementary school Friday. I'm just stunned. It doesn't seem possible. I remember like it was yesterday being pregnant with her!

I love blogging. Hopefully this summer I can figure out a good system for staying consistent. I like having a place to chronicle our days, meals and projects. I'm looking forward to summer. Hopefully, I don't have my hopes set too high for all I want to accomplish (and what I want the kids to do). ;)

How was your May?

Ballerina Girl

Last weekend, Carleigh danced in her recital. She was so beautiful. The curtain opened, and she was front and center, face beaming. She danced so sweetly. I got tears in my eyes. I can't stand how fast she's growing up. You're not going to believe this, but I didn't get a single dern picture of her in her outfits! We weren't allowed backstage, and we weren't allowed to film or photograph during the performance, so I couldn't get a picture of her in costume. I didn't think about taking any pictures during dress rehearsal. I got video though. I'll try to post it. Here are the pictures I took after the recital. She was in her finale outfit...jeans and a t-shirt. The make-up is heavy, I know, but believe it or not, if it's not that heavy, the girls look totally washed out with the stage lights.

 

I'm so proud of her. She will be 11 in a few short weeks. She's so excited about junior high. I could do without it, thankyouveramuch. Life goes on. The days rush by, and before we know it, we have beautiful ballerinas and soccer stars. I'm trying to soak it all in. I wish there was a way to slow it down just a bit. 

Morning, Sunshine!

Hey there! I shared with you several months ago that I took the Hello Mornings Challenge last fall. I loved it so much, I stepped up to the plate and became an accountability captain. That title doesn't make me any more spiritual or mean that I have it any more together than anyone else, it just means I'm leading a group. I've enjoyed my winter challenge group so much. It's been really cool getting to know women from all across the U.S. and grow with them a little the past 13 weeks. Tomorrow ends our winter challenge and begins registration for the summer challenge. If you have no idea what I'm talking about and would like to know more, click here.

 



I am not a morning person at. all. I enjoy staying up late when the house has finally settled down after the hustle and bustle of the day and do a project, or browse my favorite blogs, or look at all the awesomeness on Pinterest. But, I have found, I really enjoy going to bed a little sooner and then waking early to spend time studying the Word and praying before my kiddos get moving in the morning. My body has actually kind of adjusted to waking early and I look forward to my time now. Don't get me wrong, I can sleep in like nobody's business, but it's been good having a structured time to start my day planning, studying the Word, and working my body. I feel like I'm getting a good start to the day.

Do you need some structure too? Click on the links and find a group that's right for you. Let me know if you do. It's fun knowing you're doing a challenge together.

I hope you have a fantastic Thursday!

What's for dinner?

For a while now, I've been trying to do a menu plan for the week around our house, so I don't have to scratch my head and stare at the fridge wondering what to cook for the hungry mouths of mine. It's been good. I started using Ziplist, and it has revolutionized the way I plan and shop. Ziplist is free! I wish this was a paid endorsement, but it's not. I just can't stand to keep things as awesome as Ziplist to myself. You should try it out. I haven't even had time to explore all the options available on the site, but I currently use the recipe clipper to "pin" recipes I find on blogs and other websites, the menu planner, and the grocery lists. It's so awesome...I can't even tell you.

Anyway, last week, we had a bang up good menu. I would share it with you, but I've already erased it from our menu board, and trying to remember something like that would be stretching it a little too much for me. This week, I'm totally stoked, because I'm using what we already have (freezer, pantry, etc.) and not having to buy much at the grocery store.

I found some brisket in the freezer the other day and tossed it in the fridge to thaw. Last night, I really didn't want to serve just sliced brisket, so I jumped on Kelvin's brilliant idea of throwing it in the food processor and making chopped brisket sandwiches out of it. I added a little bit of this and a little bit of that to the meat, and voila, dinner was served, and seconds were requested! YAY!

Tonight we're having tacos, because it's Tuesday, and that's how we roll on Tuesdays. I'm using the Creamy Black Bean Chili we had for dinner Sunday for the tacos. I'll cook off some of the liquid, chop some lettuce, open a can of salsa, steam some rice, and make this yummilicious condiment to go with it, and voila, dinner will be served tonight!

Wednesday night is camp-out-at-the-dance-studio night. I'm making hot dogs and taking them with us and throwing in some sliced fruit and veggies. I'll probably buy a bag of Fritos too, because, how can you eat a hot dog without Fritos? Cora and Luke and I will have a picnic, either in the car or the park, whichever weather permits, and Carleigh will have to scarf down one before we get to dance practice, or between classes. It's a bummer, but the that's just how it is for the next couple of Wednesdays. Her recital is May 4th! I can't wait to see her dance! Kelvin has his last classroom class Wednesday night...I mean last EVER! Can I get a double Whoo Hoo! Yah baby, I'm over-the-top excited!! After this week, he has a couple of finals to take at school, and one to take online, and he is finished! Graduation is May 18. I'm so proud of him...there are no words.

Thursday night is Broccoli and Sausage Skillet. It looks yummy. I bought some broccoli the other day, and I have the sausage already, so all I need are the noodles.

Friday night is YOYO (your on your own), because I have bunco! :)

Saturday night we have dinner plans with some new friends. Can't wait!

Sunday is fajitas...¡Olé!

So, what's for dinner at your house? Do share. :) Have a T-riffic Tuesday!

Soccer and Gumbo and Sundays

A few weeks ago, Luke played his first soccer game of the spring season. They ran all over that poor little team...it was kinda ugly. He was so excited he even laid out his uniform the night before! :) Love that boy! Of course, being the "Mother-of-the-Year" that I am, I either forgot the camera and didn't get any shots, or I took some and can't locate them now. :/ Saturday, his team played the same team again. The other team looked better this time, but Luke's team still won! He loves soccer! It's fun to see how excited he gets about the game...even practice! This time I got a shot with my phone. Hopefully next week I'll remember my camera.

 

Thank you for your grace with the poor photo quality. :\

Kelvin missed this game because he was helping Team Lubrizol Gumbonauts (sp?) set up for the Gumbo Cookoff and Zydeco Festival Saturday afternoon which benefitted Emma's Hugs. We were so thankful for the opportunity to raise awareness for Emma's Hugs in Houston. We all had a great time, and the Lubrizol Cooking team won 2nd place! Whoo Hoo!

The photo looked much better on my phone screen than it does on my computer screen...bummer.

Yesterday, we had some yummy homemade waffles and deer sausage for breakfast and then headed to church. We enjoyed a lazy Sunday afternoon of playing outside, napping (for me :) ) and a Sunday afternoon drive. When we got back home, the Creamy Black Bean Chili I made earlier in the day was ready to eat. Don't you just love days like that?

So, how was your weekend? What did you do? Anything fun? Has spring sprung where you are? We are loving the mild days and savoring each one. Cora and Kelvin and I went for a run/walk/play-at-the-park this morning. It was so nice not to burn smooth up.

I hope you have a most happy Monday!

Do I see gold in her future?

Cora loves her little gymnastics class. I hope she sticks with it. She's so cute!

(Sorry for the poor quality of the photo. The camera on my phone pretty much stinks!)

Tooth Fairy

I may or may not have worn these tonight...

 

 

"What are they?" you ask. Why, tooth fairy wings of course! Our little man pulled a big 'ol hunkin' tooth out of his sweet head last night. It was one that had a cap on it, and one of the dang roots was so long the tooth could be a weapon. Pure craziness, I tell ya! Anyway, upon seeing his silvery tooth, she just didn't have enough money to leave last night, so the tooth fairy had to come back tonight. Glad she didn't forget. ;)

So, what did you do this weekend? Friday night Kelvin and I had dinner with some friends sans kiddos at one of our very favorite restaurants downtown, Sam Bucca. It was soooo good! We talked, and talked, and talked, until we almost shut the place down! This old mama was tired yesterday morning when Carleigh's stinkin' alarm went off at 6:30 after I had only had a few hours of sleep! Hate it when that happens! Saturday, Luke had a soccer game, and then we came home for a bit before taking Carleigh to a birthday party. It was so cute. All the girls brought their dolls, and they decorated headbands for the dolls and had a good, girly party. After I got back from taking her to the party, I grabbed a nap. Ahhh, don't you just love naps? I do!

Yesterday evening, Luke and I headed out to get the 5th Harry Potter movie. He is reading the series right now and amazing us with his ability to speed through these ginormous novels! I'm so stoked he's reading. I think right now it's more about the competition between him and his friends to see who can get the most Accelerated Reader points than the actual reading, but I'm not complaining. Maybe the love of reading part will be a side effect. We got the video and the fixings for grilled cheese sandwiches and headed home. By the time we got home and ate dinner, it was too late for a movie, so he watched it today. Kelvin and I stayed up last night and watched Downton Abbey. Are you a fan? It's kind of addicting, if I do say so myself. It's also kind of cool that you can watch however many episodes your little heart desires on Netflix. We got through one, and crashed during the next, so we'll have to catch up another time.

Today, we got up and enjoyed a leisurely morning, then headed to church. I enjoyed the message very much. It was about conflict in marriage. The scripture came from Ephesians 5. Our pastor said we have to get the part about being under the influence of the Holy Spirit and submitting to one another before we get anything else. It was good stuff! Very good indeed!

We headed to the grocery store after church, and I bought stuff for lunch. I made Pasta with Escarole  Spinach and Shrimp. Our store didn't have the escarole, so I substituted spinach, and it was still good. The rest of the day was spent working on our presentation for the Pilot Club Gala Tuesday evening. I'm just a little bit nervous. Thanks for your prayers.

Looking forward to the week ahead. Hope yours is splendid!