The teacher in me won't die.

I taught elementary school for 7 years.  I am a stay-at-home mom for the first time this year.  I am treasuring this precious time with my small children, but do miss things about being in the classroom.

Fall was always one of my favorite times at school.  There are so many fun things to celebrate and do!  So, Bella and I have been having a little school fall fun of our own. 

We studied bats and the letter B.

We studied pumpkins by making felt jack-o-lantern faces and having yummy pumpkin-tillas for a snack.

(I got both of these ideas from inbetweenlaundry.blogspot.com)

I have loved watching her learn and get excited for each new activity.  It's like teaching, but with no papers to grade or meetings to attend. 

And speaking of schools (This is not my most graceful transition ever, but I'm going to make it work.) how about those Baylor Bears???  We were a proud family last night as we watched them defeat the Texas Longhorns 30-22.

 

Sic 'em!  I love the taste of victory!

 

Homecoming, Part 2

I have a few more things to say about Homecoming that I didn’t put into yesterday’s post.  So, I made a part 2.  It’s my blog and I will drag out this Baylor victory as long as I want.

Really my points have nothing to do with football.  Here they are:

1.      We ate at Ninfa’s on Sunday.  In know some of you Wacoans/Ex-Wacoans were probably worried that we missed out on some fine fajitas.  We did not. 

2.     I learned a lot about fashion from watching those Baylor girls this weekend.  Did you know that it is cool to wear boots with everything?   I mean, EVERYTHING-jeans, skirts, dresses, shorts, and sweatpants.  You read correctly-sweatpants.  I saw two girls doing it.  I am going to embrace this fashion freedom as soon as the temperature drops below 85 degrees.

 3.   I feel it necessary to mention that cussing is not ok at a football game.  It is a FAMILY event.  People need to be more respectful.  Your bad words did not change the outcome of the game either. 

To summarize for today: Ninfa’s=delicious, Boots=cool, Foul language=not cool. 

Soak 'em and Sic 'em!

This past weekend we went to Homecoming at Baylor University.  For those of you who don't know, I graduated from Baylor in 2003.  Andy graduated from Truett Seminary at BU in 2005.  My brother, sister-in-law, Andy's brother, cousin, and uncle all went to Baylor too.  It doesn't take a genius to figure out where I am going with this...we love Baylor.

Did you know Baylor has the biggest collegiate Homecoming celebration in the nation?  Impressive.  (I think Baylor should give me something for all this promotion I am doing on here.  Full scholarships for the kids in 14 and 17 years and we'll call it even.)

We arrived in Waco on Friday evening and met the Webbs for dinner.  We ate at Cotton Patch Cafe.  It was our goal to eat at places that we don't have in Houston.   It was also my goal to consume a day's worth of calories in every meal.  I ate chicken fried steak.  Mission accomplished.

We then went back to the Webb's house to stay the night.  This was our first time to see their new house, and it did not disappoint.  I plan to steal many of Carly's decorating ideas.  Bella and Lucy were extremely excited to be spending the night together. 

We woke up bright and early to enjoy the parade.  My parents, brother, and sister-in-law met us there.

We also walked through campus, saw the bears, and braved the bookstore.  We did get a signed copy of the new children's book, B is for Baylor, which is awesome.  I am getting it into their heads early.  Remember, we have those scholarships coming.

After a quick lunch at Bush's Chicken (Fried chicken and sweet tea-calorie goal met yet again.) we went to the game.  Oh the game.  Prepare yourselves.  It was an adventure.

Right as we arrived there was a delay of game due to lightning.  We hung out under the stadium, but it was crowded and stuffy.  We decided to sit down, because it was only sprinkling.  Many people were sitting and waiting too. Here we are, happy and ready for some football:

Fast-forward to dark skies and them announcing warnings to get under the stadium and take cover.  I don't want to shock you with this, but all of the people that can fit into the stands of a stadium CANNOT fit underneath one.  The exits were jammed.  You could feel the frenzy in the air.  I had two small children and had no desire to get stuck in the middle of a panicked, stampeding crowd.  So instead, we got this:

We were SOAKED!  It was like we jumped in a pool.  When the rain came, it came in buckets.  Cold buckets.  My dad took Hayes and people let him through because he had a baby.  The rest of us were not so lucky.  We ended up jumping over the railing and onto the football field so we could run up the alley where the band normally enters.  We then hovered against the side of the stadium in an effort to escape the rain.   You can see from the pictures how successful that was.

Despite being soggy from head to toe, we stayed for the game.  And I am so glad we did because:

The Baylor Bears are bowl bound!!!  We are currently number one in the Big 12 South.  We are ranked 25 in the BCS.  Wait...is that ahead of UT, A&M, and Tech?  Yes.  Yes it is.  Thank you for asking.

The Baylor spirit is alive and well.  We are proud and will cheer the Bears on through the rest of the season.  Soak 'em!  Sic 'em!

The post where I brag on my husband

Y’all. I am so proud of my husband.  He is a fundraiser champion.

This last Sunday was the Fall Fundraiser for Cornerstone Family Ministries.  Andy is the director for CFM, a Christian-based non-profit.  CFM serves low-income families in the Spring Branch area of Houston.  They do tutoring programs, Kid’s Club, Bible Studies, mentoring, a new college/job prep class, and so much more. (Visit www.cfmhouston.org to read more.)

Ultimately, CFM aims to meet the physical needs of these families, invest in their lives, and tell them about Jesus and His love for them. 

 

Did you know that 90% of the low-income population is unchurched?  I thought I would throw that out there.  It shocks me every time. 

Doing these things for these families takes money, obviously.  Hence (love that word) the fundraiser.  It was held at Red Oak Ballroom.  There was delicious food, performances by the kids, great speakers, and a room full of 300 people that care about the community around them.

I had seen Andy work on this event for weeks.  Ok, months.  But still, I was in awe to see it all put together.  He would be the first to admit that he didn’t do it alone and that many volunteers helped, but I just have to brag on him.  I am his wife and I get to do that. 

Great job, babe.  I am so proud of you.  You help to make a difference here and in eternity.

Our parents came to support Andy and CFM too!

Because you asked...

Because I had so many people ask about the previous Pumpkin Patch Adventures, I thought I would show you some photos.   (Ok.  That’s a lie.  No one asked.  I just want to show you.)  

I also thought you should know that I can't count.  Saturday was our Fifth (not Fourth) Annual Pumpkin Patch Adventure, which makes it even more awesome.   

Enough words.  Here are the last FOUR years of pumpkin fun:

Doesn’t it just break your heart how fast they are growing?  If not, mine is breaking enough for everyone. 

Maybe next year we should put the pumpkins on their heads to slow them down a bit.

I love friends and pie (not necessarily in that order)

I ate this Saturday.

And this.

 

And this.

 

Be jealous.  

If you have not been to Royers Round Top Café, you are missing out.  It’s in Round Top, TX.  Huh?  Where?  Exactly.  Small towns have the best stuff.  Nice people, outstanding food, and no traffic.

We went to Royers after a great day with Cory and Carly, our dear friends from Waco.  I love those people.  I love friendships that last even after you move away.  I love friends that are there in both the good times and when you feel like your world is crashing in.  I love friendships that persevere as you go from a party of four to a party of eight.  (Yes, we know what causes that.)  

Saturday we took our party of eight on our Fourth Annual Pumpkin Patch Adventure.  We met in the La Grange/Round Top area for a fun fall day in the country.  We started at The Jersey Barnyard.   The kids saw farm animals, fed them feed and milk bottles, and ran around in the fresh air.  I would like to note that I didn’t slap a single mosquito while there.  This supports my theory that 99% of the mosquito population lives in Houston.

I digress.

We also dressed the kids up in their costumes and took pictures in the pumpkin patch.   That’s four kids, age four and under.  We are gluttons for punishment. 

It was worth it.  Look how cute they are!  

It was a day to make memories.  I am thankful for days like this, and thankful for friends to share them with.  The pie was an added bonus.