Joke of the Day

ROSES & HANGING BASKETS

A teenage granddaughter comes downstairs for her date with this see-through blouse on and no bra. Her grandmother just pitched a fit, telling her not to dare go out like that! The teenager tells her "Loosen up Grams. These are modern times. You gotta let your rose buds show!" and out she goes. The next day the teenager comes down stairs, and the grandmother is sitting there with no top on. The teenager wants to die. She explains to her grandmother that she has friends coming over and that it is just not appropriate.... The grandmother says, "Loosen up, Sweetie. If you can show off your rose buds, then I can display my hanging baskets."

Happy Gardening.

Cliff Notes for July

I have not been as faithful as I would like to have been about posting this month. So, here's a few of July's highlights (so far). Cliff Notes style...

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Cade this month.

July 2nd was my 33rd Birthday. I had a great birthday. My friend, Sara, took me to lunch at Cantina Laredo, my office went all out, and my family made me feel like the best Mom, Wife, Daughter, etc. in the world. I always enjoy spending time with my family. We went to dinner at one of my favorite places - Buca di Beppo. It's family style Italian food - which is great for a large group.


Cade and his Gammy (I think he is secretly trying to figure out how to get those sparkly shiny things off Gammy's shirt)


Aunt Julie and Cade

July 4th was great! Tom and I did our annual duties of judging the Arlington 4th of July Parade. You have to get up at the crack of dawn and melt in the Texas heat, but on the flip side you get a police escort through the city, breakfast, lunch, and you get to sit in the COVERED judges stand in front of City Hall. Did I mentioned COVERED? So, we can suffer from the heat for a few hours! Plus, it's a TON of fun seeing America's Spirit in full force. Cade spent the morning with his Gamma and Gammy and then we all went swimming later that day. Aunt Julie and The Henley's (Uncle Chad, Aunt Christina, and Cousin Trent) came over to swim as well. We had a pool full!


Cade and his Cousin Trent after a day of swimming. Can you believe Cade is 3 months older than Trent!

Cade FINALLY learned how to hold his sippy cup all by himself. Most likely has been able to do this for a few months, but Cade is extra smart and knows how to play us all. He knows now how excited we get when he does it, that he will tilt it back all the way and pretend like he is drinking just to get an applause out of us. He is such a stinker!

Just look at that smirk...


This is only mid-tilt...

Mid-July, we had dinner with our good friends, The Fischers'. Cade and Maddy played a lot. Maddy is almost 2 and did a great job sharing her toys. She is a beautiful little girl and an extremely happy child. Sara and Randy have a future heartbreaker on their hands. However, due to a blowout and a lack of extra clothes, Cade spent most of the night in his t-shirt and diaper. I am not sure if Maddy felt sorry for Cade or if she got her shirt dirty, but she joined in on the 1 piece of clothing only party. These are great blackmail pictures for when then get older (smile)



This past weekend, we (My Mom, myself, and Christina) took the boys out to The Gaylord Texan for lunch and pictures. What a sight they were dressed alike. One with a head full of hair and the other with hardly any. Pre-Gaylord, Trent came over and played with Cade while Christina was at the dentist. We took the boys for a short walk in Cade's never-been-used wagon. What a great way to break it in...


Don't they look happy to be going on a ride? Ha!

This is my favorite picture of the boys. Trouble with a Capital T.

I think the reason Cade looks so frustrated in this picture is because Cousin Trent was on his 50th attempt to give Cade a "wet willy". Mom really enjoyed her day with both her Grandsons.

Shoe shine anyone? Cade thought this was hilarious, while Trent wanted to moon us!

Last, but not least.... you turn your back for 5 seconds and Mr. Sneaky tries to pull a fast one. I guess he thought Gamma might have some toys in there? Yeah right! Caught in the act. You have to watch this one.

Who do you Love??

At least it is a constant "no" to everything...

4 years...

5/26/45 - 6/24/04
Today is the Anniversary of my Father's death. I can't believe it's been 4 years. It seems like yesterday. I still remember the day so clearly. I remember that phone call from my Mom and the fear in her voice. I drove like a speed demon to get to the hospital - all along thinking "Oh God - he's going to be in a coma" or "Oh God - he's going to have to have emergency surgery". I didn't know anything but the fact that he passed out in the front yard and he was unconscious and taken to Arlington Memorial. However, the thought NEVER entered my mind that maybe he was gone? Never. Tom was at the hospital waiting for me when I got there. Thank God for that. Because little did I know that I was about to need him more than ever. As we sat in this empty room, I had no idea what was going on. It's amazing how your mind plays with you. Then, in an instant, I knew. The hospital Chaplain entered the room holding his Bible. He didn't have to say a word. I knew. My Dad was gone. I'd never see him again in my lifetime.





We've made it through the last 4 years. It's been hard. There has been some very good times and there has also been some very bad times. Life is so unpredictable. Since that fateful day, we have lost 2 more immediate family members - Tom's Dad and My Grandmother. But, we have also welcomed 2 new lives into our family - My son, Cade, and my nephew, Trent. It's the circle of life. I think of my Dad every day and I have to have faith that he is with me everyday. I think that is what helps you get by.

I miss you, Dad. You would have spoiled the hell out of your 2 Grandsons.

Daddy and Doodle

Cade started school June 2nd. It's been very interesting watching him adapt from his full days with his Grandma's 1 on 1 to a classroom of 8. However, He loves his Teachers. Ms. Shirley seems to brighten Cade's day the moment he walks through that door. Here's a pic of Cade from his 1st day.

Friday, in honor of Father's Day, the school did a "Daddy & Donuts" breakfast for the Dads and their kids. Tom was excited. He even took the day off work. We called it "Daddy, Doodle and Donut Day". In case you are behind, we call Cade "Doodle". Tom jokes by saying that when Cade is in high school instead of his last name on his football jersey it will say "Doodle". Fine with me. I will proudle scream "Run Doodle Run" from the stands. I love my Doodle. Here is Daddy and Doodle at Donut Day.

The funniest part of all of this was the fact that the Dads had to sit in the kid's chairs. These chairs were about a foot off the ground. The base of the chair was not even as big as a piece of paper. But they all sat there. They all enjoyed a donut with their kids. Here is Tom in his "mini" chair enjoying his donut. Happy Father's Day, Tom. I know he enjoyed every moment he got to spend with Cade. He always does.

That night, we celebrated Abby's 1st Birthday. Abby lives across the street and is an original member of the 3 musketeers with Caleb and Cade. I can't tell you how many pictures we have of the 3 of them. They will always be very close. I must say... she enjoyed her cake much more than Cade did. At least she knew what to do with it and was not afraid to get her hands dirty!!

Here's a picture of the 3 of them from Abby's Birthday Party. Happy Birthday Abby! Do I see a romance budding between Cade and Abby??? They are sure are staring at each other...