Jumping into a rabbit hole....

`1I woke up this morning with Alice on my mind. You know Alice (in Wonderland). The only Disney lady that wasn't a princess and didn't (by some improbable twist of fate) end of becoming a princess. She was just an ordinary girl, totally bored with her life. So what did she do? She followed the first interesting thing that came along. Just so happened it was a crazy, time obsessed rabbit, with a coat and pocket watch. In her curiosity she falls down a rabbit hole and is subsequently thrust into a world she doesn't belong in. Along the way she meets some amazing people, has some scary experiences, and ultimately figures out that her old life wasn't that bad. All she wants is to go home, but sadly Dorothy hasn't hit the scene with her cool ruby slippers, so Alice has to run back! She narrowly escapes the Insane Red Queen and wakes up just in time to resume her school lesson.

I know, I know, you've seen the move, and you know the story line. I just can't help but think about all the times I've just flat jumped into a rabbit hole. I didn't fall, or trip, or slip in, oh no I Jumped! Ending up in a place that I really didn't want be. Trying to make the best out of a world that I ultimately created, and hoping all the while that maybe, just maybe, I'd wake up and it would all go back to the way it once was. You see the rabbit holes I go for never make my world easier only more complicated. Similar to Alice I find that everything that should make sense doesn't, and what does make sense shouldn't, and what I wish would make sense is never gonna. Does that make sense? You see it's impossible to go through a rabbit hole and come out the other side unchanged. So with every opportunity or adventure that comes along I must wonder, is this just another rabbit hole? Could this rabbit hole change things for the better? Is it possible for me to just take a peek without falling in? And Then I realize I've already jumped!!

So much for a blog....

So much for me keeping everyone up to date with a personal blog. I've managed to go 6 weeks without a single post. Wooops!! We've had so much going on, but most exciting was a 12 day roadtrip with the whole family. We crossed 13 states and saw so much. Day's one and 2 took us from Texas, through New Mexico, and into Arizona where we saw the amazing grand canyon. My mom, dad, sister, and Anelyse all came and we had a blast. So here's a few images from days one and two!

A toilet on the indian reservation it was crazy!

Tired of Roadtripping on day 2!!

Inquiring Minds.....

I have gone back and forth for a while about whether or not I was going to broadcast the following information, but I've decided after much thinking and answering of questions that I would just do a mass information post and let everyone know what was going on. Plus it's not really a secret, I've told anyone who asks and I don't have anything to hide so here goes. Last Thursday I had a tummy tuck and breast lift/augmentation (I had to do both since the life caused me to loose 2 cup sizes). I went to a great surgeon right here in Denton. Dr. Coffey has been amazing. It was a 6 hour procedure and required an over night hospital stay. I am feeling great and can say that none of these procedures hurt very much. It's just a super intense Soreness!! I have been up and around for the last few days (eating out and shopping) and walking standing straight up was possible the 3 day and is easier EVERY day. I'm even shooting a wedding Saturday and I am not worried at all! I still have my drain pump, but once that's out I'll be golden! I'm sure a lot of people are going to frown on this post and that's fine, I understand! Honestly this post if for all the women out there who have said to me in the last few weeks "I wanna have that done but I'm too scared." You can do it!! I did!! My tummy is below (I wasn't going to post it but after popular demand) the tube on the left is the pain pump I got removed yesterday. The tube at the bottom is where the fluid drains out! You don't get to see the girls....Rob would frown on that I'm sure!! :0)

a garden, a graduation, a birthday, a sick dog and a new camera.......

So much has happened since the last time I blogged. I was going to do them all separate and then decided, why not just knock it all out. It's all about perfect nonsense so why not have a bunch of randomness in one blog. So here goes... a new camera, a sick dog, a birthday, a graduation, and a garden... It's all nonsense right!!!

A new camera -

So I got a new camera a Nikon D 300. I'm super excited and can't wait for my 2 sessions this weekend so I can really get to know it. So the night I brought it home (and the following weekend) I got random with it. Taking pictures of anything that would stand still or move either way it didn't matter. I decided to share a few of my senseless shots!!

A sick Dog -

When we got home from the weekend away (that adventure is explained below) Oliver was not acting himself. By not acting himself I mean he was calm and not insane. When I got home from work Monday he was very calm and wasn't freaking out like he normally is when we let him out of his crate. I figure out later that he was very hot, very splotchy, and panting! We check his temp and it's at 105. For any dog this is not good, and for squishy faced dogs this is REALLY not good. Apparently they don't have the same "cooling mechanism" that allows them to cool down once they start running a fever. I love my dogs but refuse to pay $1000 for a trip to the Puppy ER. I opt for calling my mom (you never grow out of that) and she agrees to call her vet. Dr. Brock assures us he'll be fine if we give him baby aspirin and pedialite. We do it and watch him be pitiful all night long. The next morning Rob drops him off at the vet. After being evaluated all day, and having to have several shots to get his temp down, they determine he had an allergic reaction to something and can't explain the high fever. So 3 RXs and $200 later we have a simi-healthy dog that's becoming crazier by the day. This is a good sign!! :0) While he was sick and not moving I had to take a few shots with the new camera! I mean really how cute is he??

A Birthday -

Anelyse's birthday was last weekend. We took the kiddos on a trip to San Antonio and checked out Seaworld!! Incredibly I didn't take the new camera we just took Rob's digital camera and I took a few shots with my iPhone (classy I know). Hopefully at some point I'll download from that camera and share some shots, from that shorted adventure. I will say my family allowed me to create an itinerary for our day at seaworld! OH MY GOODNESS we even stuck to it and I was in planning heaven..

A Graduation -

That same weekend Beajae also graduated from the Non-Commissioned Officer Warrior Leadership School. It was great to watch her get to walk across the stage. We are very proud of the Soldier and Mom that she is. She has a very successful military career ahead of her!! I can't believe she's an NCO! WOW!!

Man our kids are such great models!!

Train the Best to lead the rest!

The girls.....Waiting for it to get started!

A Garden -

Our garden is growing pretty good. Not many of our plants took after the transplant but what did survive is really looking great! let me just point out that I have had such a stressful week that I somehow managed to walk outside, water the garden, and almost get back into the house before I realize I was only wearing one shoe!! WHO DOES THAT??? I had no idea the other shoe had even come off at some point. Side note I found the other shoe half way up the stairs!

Pumpkins that I hope are ready right in time for fall!! They might be a little early!

Petty excited about growing corn! A veggie that I refuse to eat unless it is popped!

Mary Mary Quite Contrary.....

I now know why Mary was so Contrary and that's because she had a garden! Last summer (yes almost a year ago) Cameron went to my grandparents for a week. They live in the country have land and a large "garden". Upon returning she started begging me to help her plant a garden. As you can see it took her a year to wear me down, but it finally happened. Several weeks ago we started our garden. We went to Lowe's and $80 (the first trip we've had several other trips)later we were set. We came home planted seeds and waited. Our seeds began to sprout and all was well. Gardening is easy, right? This is where you insert a chuckle. Then came time to transplant. So Rob built us a 16x8 garden in the back yard. Now we have corn, squash, watermelon, pumpkin, spinach, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Oh wait that's not all....We also planted a salsa garden with herbs and jalapenos and sweet peppers. I know, I know, one more thing on my plate! So far it's been a lot of watering and a lot of wondering. Have I mentioned that I kill MOST plant life within days of being around it!!

side note::: If you're looking for quality photography don't look now or here check out my other blog!! :0)


How's a whole plant going to come out of this??

Such a good waterer!

Our first sprouts!! Cameron was SOOO excited!

More sprouts and a very proud gardener!

Rob working hard on the garden. We had to fence it or our poor garden wouldn't have lasted a second with Oliver!!

The garden is finished (by finished I mean still needs a gate and part of the fence is just leaning in place) and plants are growing. We'll see how this goes!

The balancing Act!!

As I said before our lives are a crazy mess! We run around non-stop and sometimes it's impossible to see when everything has gotten out of balance. Between church, cheer, gymnastics, and jobs, things get unwound before we know it. Losing your family doesn't happen over night it's a process. I know I get so caught up in trying to grow a business, be a full time teacher, and a full time mom, that I forget that I have a husband and kids that need more than a hot meal, a warm bath, and clean clothes. We seldom look around and count our blessings!

So after a rough night we woke up this morning, went to breakfast as a family, took naps, and then took the boat out for the first time this season. It was kind of chilly but we didn't care. With a cooler full of sandwiches, chips, drinks, and gummy bears, we were set for success!! We spent 2 hours cruising the lake, no computers, no tv, JUST FAMILY!! Such a small step goes a long way in restoring balance. I encourage everyone to get on the Wii Fit Board of life and take a look at where your center really is. You might be surprised at how off you are and not even know it. The next 2 images are of my view tonight. God's World takes my breath away!

Curiouser and Curiouser

Let me be the first to welcome you to chaos!! Our house (just ask our friends) can be a bit overwhelming. Let's start with the kids........

We've got Cameron Reece (4) who is super smart, stubborn, and spirited (that's another word for Strong willed), and very independent. She started talking when she was about 12mths old and by 15 mths was speaking in full sentences. She hasn't stopped!! Nicknames include Reecie, Camreece, and ladybug. Her hobbies include watching TV and doing puzzles and going to time out.

Then there's Colby Ross (1) who would let you hold him all day. He loves to cuddle and is happiest when you are giving him your undivided attention. He's getting better at entertaining himself but we aren't there yet. He's not huge on watching TV but LOVES watching baseball! Nicknames include, chunk, chunkers, and buggie. Right now he is focusing on learning to walk!

Then you throw 3 dogs into the mix.

Oliver - The English Bulldog who is large, and not smart, and has a face only a mother could love. He snores and snorts and slobbers....

Gus - The Boston Terrier who loves to be loved, hates Oliver, and is my heater at night when he curls up next to me in bed.

Nattie - The Chihuahua if this wasn't a family style blog I would call her a bad name. She is just not very friendly (well she is to me and Rob). She hates kids, other dogs, and most people in general.

Wow doesn' t all that sound FUN!!! Now include 2 working parents. Rob builds power lines for TXU. I am a Jr High teacher and a photographer. Cheerleading class for Cameron, Teaching Youth on Wednesday, Small Group on Thursday and well you can imagine how often my house get cleaned. :0) At this point I'm looking for a cook, maid, and laundress who will work for FREE!! Any Takers???

Here it is the start of one more think I'm going to attempt to take care of, a family blog! My motto is at the top....We're all a little mad here. You'll find I reference Alice in Wonderland a lot. It's a childhood fav that impressed me not only the first time, but also the second when I saw it with Johnny Depp (well anything he does impresses me....Shhh don't tell Rob)!

And Now It Begins....................