Everywhere I look, love finds me. In your blue eyes, in your brown eyes,  in pretty blue skies, sunny days, your giggles that amaze, your love finds me. I love you Bella and Lexie! I hope my love wraps around you and keeps you too...

Unplugged

My Home Page is the Apple© home page. I don't know why, it just is. This little icon/video has been up on the right side of their page for a while. It got me thinking. "Apps we can't live without". Is it a food, clothing, shelter, God APP?

Um, no.

This is a subject that tends to be a strong and yet sore one in my household. With a daughter nearing her teenage years, she is less into "toys", a little more into boys, but mostly into technology. While I believe that their generation will be strong in technology, I don't believe it should define them. 

As I listened to Bella talk about her daily life and started to really listen to what subjects came up most, I came to an explosive conclusion....she is an electronic junkie. Statements like "I saw this Vine....", "On Instagram....", "My SIMS character is having a baby and I have to hurry up and get home so that I can get her to the hospital"...

As a parent, I feel like this is a HUGE societal issue. So often times, I see parents and kids at the dinner table with their devices out. I have noticed kids on devices in a multitude of situations. In fact, even in elementary school. Grant it, while there are educational APPS, games and sites, there should still be a limit, right? Are we using devices to babysit our children? Are we using them to quiet the room for our parental sanity? Guilty. Is our parenting getting lazy? What is it?

As I said, it is a constant battle in our household. So, I made a bold and outlandish decision. NO ELECTRONICS for 2 weeks. NONE. This final straw came when the girls, myself and Dude were floating on the river. Bella was less than thrilled to be at an almost standstill for several hours, under the artistry of nature and God's beautiful land. Bella pouted, was bored and tired of being in the river. Instead of enjoying the surroundings, she just numbed herself to it. Then, we had plans to head into Gruene for dinner and some fun, but Bella just wanted to go home. Why? She was having SIMS withdrawals!

That is when I made my decision. I put away the iPads, passcode locked the computer and the next day, broke the news to Bella. She didn't take it well at all. The negotiations didn't stop most of the day. I stood firm.

I told my children that there is nothing like falling in love with a good book. I strongly believe that a good solid reader creates a platform of intelligence. I also believe that if you are strong in reading comprehension, then most other subjects in school become less difficult. 

So....for the most part, we are unplugged. Connecting with real life. Drawing closer to God and family. Enjoying the simplicity of nature and a good book.

HEY THERE~

I cannot believe that the three of you are still clicking on my blog regularly. Way to be dedicated. If there were a prize, the 3 of you would have to fight over it. It is almost like you are a winner. Go around today feeling great about yourself. Give yourself a big kiss!

I'm writing you to tell you that I am going to be writing you again soon. So, your dedication is kind of paying off. I have stories/posts that are formulating in my brain. Yay. Something new to look at when you accidentally click on this blog that you somehow saved as your home page, but cannot figure out why.....

Eye of the Tigers

Nan-E could open up a Prop Shop with all of the cute wigs, sunglasses, hats, scarves and costumes she has! That woman has spirit, that is for sure~
This year, we were all about the eye wear. In keeping with tradition, we had one FUN family photo. Happy Thanksgiving 2013 Y'all......Go. Be. Thankful.

It's that time again....

 Locals....here come the crazies.

Yup, it is that time of year again. Where we gear up to spend a week together, on the beach, in one house, dressed like that....

What? That is how we normally look.

Last year, we had a "wiggin out" photo shoot. Nan-E is always coming up with something spunky. I love that we are creating memories that we will forever reflect upon fondly....or we will talk about with our therapists. Either way, we have something interesting to bring to the table....or in this case, to put ON the table.

It always proves to be a blessing of a week. A week that really matters to me and that I am VERY thankful for year after year. I don't get to spend very much time with my family throughout the year, so this is a meaningful time for me and my kiddos. Lookout, though. 

You never know when we will be in a town near you~

A Witch and a Pop Star

It's my party....

Dude whisked me off for a weekend getaway in honor of my birthday.

This is no easy task, as we have 6 kids between the 2 of us. He planned a trip to a vineyard, a night at a Bed and Breakfast, a concert at an old Texas dance hall, a little dancing, a delicious dinner, breakfast 

and coffee at a cute small town coffee shop.

There was some dancing in the rain, loads of laughter, a selfie photo shoot and memories that we created forever. It was truly a wonderful, thoughtful, romantic weekend. Thanks Dude.

In a Relationship....

That is me, and Clint Black....

and some photo bomber. Whatever.

Clint and I are in a relationship. 

Yeah, not really. He is married to some loser. Ok, she is not a loser, she is kind of a big deal too, and well, sort of pretty. Crazy beautiful kind of pretty. Dang it. Honestly, close up, Clint has had a little whole lot of work done. His eyebrows are bigger than his eyeballs. No kidding. 

That other sexy man, well...he is mine. Dude and I are the real deal....

"In a Relationship"

Kind of smitten ;)

Clint was a little jealous of how amazing Dude and I are...Hey Clint, we are kind of a big deal too. Boo-yah!

Summer Camp

This was Bella's last "day" camp....ever. After 5th grade, you have to go to overnight camp, unless you are a camp leader for one of the Christian camps. Bella isn't too keen on being away from home for more than a night. Should be an interesting transitional year for her, a year of more growth and maturity.

For now, though, I am happy to keep her perched on that 5th grade branch, where I still have my baby under my wing.

 (Oh Middle School.....I have heard about you!)