Magical Christmas

I don't know what it was about this Christmas in particular, but it was by far one of the best Christmas holiday I can remember.  I am usually one of those people that starts taking down Christmas on December 25th.  Not because I am a Scrooge, but it is more of finding the time to actually do it.  However, I don't want to take it down.  I think because once I take everything down then Christmas will really be over.


On the 23rd Payton, Mema, and Grandpat all went to Bass Hall to see the Nutcracker.  It was okay.  I think next year we will go see a play instead.  However, on the way to Bass Hall we ran into Santa Claus.

Of course Payton froze when Santa asked her what she wanted for Christmas.  The girl has everything so I can see how it is hard for her to come up with anything to ask for from the big guy.

After seeing Santa we were off to the Nutcracker.

My mother does not drink.  Not even wine with dinner every now and then.  However, they had this Winter Wonderland drink and she decided she would give it a try.

She took two sips and she was done.  However, it did look very pretty.


The next day, Mema took Payton out and about so Santa could finish some last minute wrapping.  I am telling you, Santa's elves slacked a little bit on getting everything done. That night we made cookies and went to evening church.  Payton of course fell asleep (at the 7:00 p.m. service).  When we came home we put her to bed and started getting everything ready for Santa.

Santa really out did himself this year. After opening presents we went to my parents house to celebrate Christmas.  On the way there, it started snowing.  Payton and Cooper had so much fun playing in the snow.  I don't think Derek had as much fun, but it was worth him staying out in the cold to let them play.

Derek and I got Payton two "bigger" gifts from Christmas.  The first one is this:

Santa was smart and left this one up to Mommy and Daddy to give Payton.  I clearly remember the story from my parents about how Santa giving my sister and me a Barbie Dream House nearly caused a divorce at 3:00 a.m. one Christmas long ago.  Therefore, I didn't want Santa and Mrs. Claus to have a major falling out in the middle of night trying to put this together.  It is a good thing that Santa left this to Mommy and Daddy because it took Daddy six hours (over two days) to put this together.  We do have an extra bolt, but it seems to work fine, and Payton loves it.  I seriously think Derek would have killed me over this, but he can tell how much Payton loves it and that is all that matters.

The second gift Derek and I gave Payton was this Princess microphone.  She loves this thing.  We all have to do performances.  Derek did the Gambler by Kenny Rogers.  I didn't have my phone to record it so you will just have to trust me that it was wonderful in its own special way.  So I will leave you with this original song by Payton.  However, I must warn you of a few things:  (1)  I have no idea where this song came from; (2) the dance moves are all her; and (3) we do not watch music videos on TV.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.

Where to Start

Since I haven't really blogged in forever, I don't know where to start.  I already mentioned highlights from the ski trip, but I thought I would go ahead and add some pictures.  As I mentioned, Payton was the only kid in ski school  This is one of her wonderful instructors, Coach Lori.

Her favorite part of ski school was the magic carpet.

Here is Payton going down the "mountain."

Also, on both days that we picked Payton up from ski school, she nearly fell asleep on the wagon ride home.

Payton was done with ski school everyday at 2:45.  On the first day, we had some time to kill in the afternoon so the locals mentioned that Winter Park had this awesome recreation center with an indoor pool and slide.  The only problem was we didn't pack a bathing suit.  Therefore, we had to go to the only store that had one, after calling at least ten different stores.  The only size they had was 24 months.  Luckily, it was a "two" piece so it worked.

The pool was awesome. She passed out that night at 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday, she didn't go to ski school and Mat came up to ski with Derek.  Therefore, Payton and I had the day to ourselves.  I took her bowling.  She loved it, and she also beat me!!!  However, she did have bumper guards and a ramp to help her.

The trip was a wonderful getaway.  Derek and I decided that we are going to make an effort to go on a family trip every year.

The next big thing I had going on fell on December 14th.  I had my major hearings that morning and our firm Christmas party that evening.  It was a Grinch themed party.   I somehow got put in charge of the party.  We mailed out Grinch invitations along with e-vites.  We also had our very own Grinch and Cindy Lou Who deliver invitations to the Courts.

The following day was Payton's big party.  I forgot to bring my camera to work to upload pictures.   I will try to remember tomorrow and update everyone on the big birthday bash.  I will say that I think we need a bigger house.  She is one lucky little girl because she has so much stuff, and Santa hasn't even added his goodies to the mix.  I am going to have to "clean" out Payton's toys again after the first of the year.  

Mixed Bag of Emotions

I know it has been forever since I have blogged.  My big hearings were on Friday, as well as our firm's Christmas party.  I somehow was put in charge of organizing it and planning it.  It was just really bad timing that the hearings happened to occur on the morning of the big Christmas party.  Saturday was also Payton's big birthday party, and today we had Christmas with part of Derek's family before they headed back to Amarillo this morning.  I still need to post pictures from our ski trip, and I still have a ton of other stuff to do before Santa arrives.  I also whacked the garage door again last week, and I have to order a new mirror. I am hoping since this is the third one it will be free.  However, I just don't feel like blogging about anything right now.  I feel drained from everything going on and everything I have yet still to do.

The real cause of my current state of mind, however, is what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary school. I wasn't aware of what happened until about 2:00 on Friday afternoon when I finally had time to check the internet.  I first found out from Facebook then I immediately went to national websites.  I was in horror.  I don't know if I have ever cried over a news article before.  Not even during 9/11 did I cry upon learning about it.  I know a lot of it has to do with me now being a mother, but I do think there is something more.  It was the age of the children and being so close to the holidays. Children that age are so dependent upon their teachers for instructions and guidance.  I can't even image what those babies were thinking.  Yes, in mind they are still considered babies at that age.


Someone on Facebook re-posted something Morgan Freeman supposedly said.  I don't really care who said it, but to me, it is so true.  This was the "statement"  "You want to know why? This may sound cynical, but here's why. It's because of the way the media reports on it. Flip on the news and watch how we treat the Batman theater shooter and the Oregon mall shooter like celebrities. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris are household names, but do you know the name of a single victim of Columbine? Disturbed people who would otherwise just off themselves in their basements see the news and want to top it by doing something worse, and going out in a memorable way. Why a grade school? Why children? Because he'll be remembered as a horrible monster, instead of a sad nobody."


What is so sad is it is true to me.  I can't remember one victim from Columbine.  I don't know if it is necessarily the media's fault.  I think we focus on the monster instead of the victims because we want to find an answer.  We think if there is an answer to be found then there will be some way of preventing this.  However, when we focus on trying to find the answer, we lose sight of the victims.



So, this weekend I went to my daughter's birthday party and witnessed her playing with all her friends.  I watched her open presents and laugh with her grandparents, but my heart was heavy.  I felt the realization that for those parents of those babies that there would be no more birthday parties.   I think it will be the same for Christmas.

I will get back to blogging about my boring everyday life, including ski pictures, birthday pictures, and Christmas.  I will also be grateful that I still have my family to blog about.  However, for right now, I just don't have it in me to post pictures with cute little captions and pretend that I am not deeply shaken by what happened.

Back Home

The Cargill family vacation ski trip was a success (for the most part).  We are home and getting back into the groove of things.  I am still really busy at work.  After December 10th, I will actually post pictures from our trip.  However, here is a quick run down of the trip:

1.  The resort was dead.  Apparently, they are hurting for snow and this is a slow time anyway.  They had man made snow, which was fine with us.  We are from Texas, so we are not that picking about snow.

2.  Payton was the only kid in ski school for both days.  Also, when I say the only kid, I am not just meaning the three-year old class.  I mean the only kid from age three to fourteen.  She basically got a private lesson, which the ski school kept telling me would cost well over $400.00 per day.

3.  Payton seemed to enjoy skiing and ski school.

4.  Payton slept from the time we took off to the time we landed going and coming home from Denver.

5.   I wasn't that impressed with the skyline of Denver.  Granted we didn't actually go to Denver, we just drove by it from the Interstate, but it was just okay.

6.  I somehow forgot to pack my contact case.  Therefore, I had to use the new medicine caps from Payton's Tylenol and Motrin as my contact case.

7.  I did not fall down once the day I went skiing.  Granted, I only stayed on really easy greens and there were a couple of close calls.

8.  I also forgot to pack Payton's bathing suit.  The only place that had one was an Alco, which is like a bigger Walgreens.  The only size they had was a 24 month two piece.  Needless to say, it fit her.

9.  I took Payton bowling for the  first time and she loved it.  She bowled and 80 and I bowled a 69.  However, she had gutter guards and a ramp to help her bowl.

10.  They didn't have a spa in the ski village.  Total bummer.

All and all the trip was fun.  Payton really did do awesome the entire time.  Don't get me wrong, there were some melt downs, but overall it was a wonderful trip.

Now, it is back to work.

What's Been Going On.....

First and foremost, I am so incredibility busy that if I think about what all I have to do I think my head will explode.  Since I am limited on time, I will just post  some Halloween pictures first.  My only comment on Halloween was that at first Payton was not that into it.  She didn't like going to people's houses and thought that she was supposed to give them her candy.  However, after handing out candy at our house for awhile, she soon picked up on the concept and was off again to beg our neighbors for candy.  

Next up, I finally ordered everything for our ski trip.  I already did the airfare and hotel awhile back.   Now, I officially got a rental car, rented skis, ski lift tickets, and enrolled Payton in ski school.  You get a huge discount if you rent everything ahead of time at the ski resort.  I have been meaning to do this since early October.  Also, I finally, like two hours ago, ordered Payton's invitations for her party.  Last Saturday, I ordered the cake.  Payton was there so she picked it out.  Apparently, we are having a Minnie / Mickey Mouse birthday party.

I also stepped into the 2000s and got an Iphone.  Before the Iphone I had a blackberry pearl.  It was fine.  The only reason I had a blackberry was because my work server couldn't sync with an Iphone.  However, about a year ago, my work finally got a new server; therefore, employees were free to actually have an Iphone that would get work e-mails.  The only reason I upgraded to an Iphone now is because my old phone was dying a slow death.  It wouldn't keep charges and would randomly lose my contacts.

On the work front, I am currently at work now.  More out of necessity for my mind set then anything else.  As you may know, we are leaving to go skiing at the end of the month.  Before I go out of town, I have to attend one deposition, I got co-workers to cover the other FOUR because I was out of town; however, I still have to prepare them and basically write out the questions.  I have to update discovery in a massive case.  I have to have a couple of client meetings.  I also have to respond to TWO motions for summary judgment.    Here is ONE of the bad boys:

 The actual motion is only 70 pages; however, there are over 900 pages of exhibits.  The other one is light compared to this one.  It is only 50 pages.  However, my original answer date for both responses was before I left on my trip.  However, based on a lot of legal crap that I am not at liberty to discuss it got moved until December 7th.  I still want a complete really good draft of my responses  before I go out of town.  Therefore, I have been working on Sundays to get it done.

And to top it all off, I still have other cases that have smaller due dates coming up.  Nothing major, but enough to take time away from finishing my responses during normal business hours.

Okay, I have wasted enough time on this post.  I will try to post sometime before our trip; however, don't be surprised if you don't hear from me until sometime in December.

I hope everyone has an awesome Thanksgiving.

Still Here

Yes, I am still here.  Work is beyond busy right now and throw in planning a trip and Thanksgiving and I have no time. I am not at death-con 9 like my good friend Ashley; however, I would say I am about at 7.5 with it only going up before the end of the month.

Hopefully, I can post about Halloween tomorrow, but I seriously doubt it.

Memories

Lately Patyon has been cracking me up.  I wanted to write down some of the funny things that she has been saying and doing so I won't forget.

First up....babies.   This story has a back story so please bear with me.  Ever since Payton was little one of her favorite things she would like me to tell her about was when she was a baby and when she was born.  The story I tell goes along the lines of in April mommy and daddy found out they would be having a baby.  In August we found out it would be a little girl.  Then how she grew in my tummy and how in December we went to the hospital and the doctor gave mommy and daddy the most beautiful little girl in the whole entire world.  As she got older she started to ask follow-up questions to my story.  Specifically, how she got out of my tummy.  I was not going to, and I don't know if I even could, tell her how babies are really born.  Therefore, I used the generic it was magical (which it was) and the doctor just knows how to get babies out of mommy's tummy.  I know, total cop out.

Flash forward to the present day, and Payton is obsessed with having a baby brother or sister.  She wants me to go to the doctor and order one.  The other day she wanted to play doctor where I was the doctor and she was the mommy.  She gave me her stuffed animal, the baby, and she was going to ask me (the doctor) if she could have a baby.  She walked up and said, "I would like a baby sister."  I said, "Okay."  As I started to hand her the new baby, she yelled, "No, Mommy.  You forgot to ask if I went to college."  Apparently, I may have mentioned to Payton that before she could have a baby, or get married, she has to go to college first.  I almost died because I totally forgot that I had told her that.


Next up.... the dentist.  As I have mentioned before every night before Payton goes to bed we all play night, night games.  They have evolved.  Right now we play, school, dentist, and zippies.  School is pretty self explanatory.  I am always the teacher and Derek and Payton are brother and sister and they are always new with made up names.  Dentist consist of me being the dentist and Payton and Derek bring in their kids.  Based on the kids age, I check their teeth and tell them to come back again.  Payton then gets a turn.  I asked her how old she was.  She said thirteen.  I said, "Oh, you are a teenager?"  She just giggled.  I then asked her if she had a boyfriend.  More giggling.  Derek then looked at me and said "Don't talk about that."  He was seriously freaked about the idea of Payton being a teenager into boys.

Phineas and Ferb.  I don't know if you have ever watched this show, but it is greatness.  I even love it.  The whole premise is based on two step-brothers, Phineas and Ferb, doing different things during the summer and their older sister Candance trying to bust them.  There is also Perry the platypus and an evil doctor.  Payton is currently obsessed with the show, and I don't mind watching it.  However, Candance, the teenage sister, is always on the phone to her friend Stacy or her boyfriend Jeremy. Therefore, Payton will get my phone and I hear her pretending to be Candance telling Stacy how she has to bust her brothers.  It is hilarious.  


I know that there are a ton more, but for some reason I am drawing a blank.  She has such an imagination and is always cracking me up. I know as soon as I post this I will think of other things.  However, I have to head out to Payton's big Halloween parade at her school.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween.

Pumpkin Patch and Birthdays

Well this weekend we finally made it to the pumpkin patch.  Unlike my dear friend Ashley, whose trip there was blazing hot, our weather was really chilly.  We went there on Saturday morning and it was 40 outside.  Burrrr.......  Payton was sporting a really cute pumpkin t-shirt, but since it was so cold, she was also sporting a Disney Cruise Line sweatshirt.   Of course her favorite part of the pumpkin patch was the fort with the slides.

Here are some of the pictures I managed to get her to take.

Of course looking at these pictures reminds me of the first time she went.  She was only ten months old!!!  Look at how little she was.

I also have to laugh because in both times the pictures I took with Payton I am looking directly into the sun.

I like to think I am winking at the camera.



What else.....oh, Derek and I already purchased each other birthday presents this year.  Our birthdays are only fourteen days apart.  We usually don't get each other anything because we are usually planning a trip.   This year we decided to break the tradition.  We both spent around $250.00 on each other.  They are even matching (sort-of).  We didn't plan it that way it just kind of happened.  So what are these awesome gifts?  They are car batteries!!!  Yep folks, don't be jealous.  Both our car batteries decided to die within a two week period.  I like to think the batteries were soul mates and couldn't live without each other.  It is better than thinking that the batteries had an evil plan of making us shell out a bunch of money within a two week period.  So how is that for romance?  In all seriousness, it kind of sucked. Not just the money part, but having to deal with it.  You know, the whole battery dies at the grocery store so you have to get a jump from a complete stranger and then waste your entire weekend afternoon at auto store.  Good times.


I am sure my next post will be the Halloween post.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday.

The S word and another Domestic Fail

I guess we should be happy that we have gone this long without Payton dropping a cuss word, but on Friday it happened.  I kind of felt bad for her because she was super tired because she didn't take a nap at school.  It was around 8:00 in the evening and I told Payton it was time for her medicine and off to bed.  She jumped down from the sofa and said Sh*t.  I was taken back because I wasn't sure what I heard.  I asked her what she said and she dropped it again.  Long story short, I told her that was not an appropriate word and she shouldn't say it.  She  started crying.  Derek came in and asked what she said.  I told him (mouthed it) and he tried to get her attention, which only resulted in more crying uncontrollably.  I felt so bad for her because she was so upset and I guess she thought she was in major trouble.  I just told her that it was okay.  That she didn't know it was not an appropriate word and now she knows.  However, I will say it is kind of funny to hear the S bomb from such a little girl.

In other news, I am finally feeling better.  The only bad thing left from my sickness is the "coke nose."  Because I was blowing my nose 24/7 (and yes, I use good tissue with lotion in it) my nose is completely chapped.  It is red and raw and looks oh so lovely.

We were supposed to meet our good friends Jaime and Mat this weekend for dinner, but our Saturday got out of whack and Payton didn't wake up from her nap until around 6:00 on Saturday night.  Given the lack of nap on Friday there was no way I was waking her up.  Sorry Jaime & Mat.

Speaking of naps, Payton's nap pattern has been totally out of whack.  I know that some kids by this time have grown out of naps, and I think Payton is starting to as well. She can go two or three days without a nap and is perfectly fine.  It also makes putting her down in the evening a snap.  She is out before the light it out.  However, once we get to about day three without a good nap then she is a terror to be around.  When I picked her up from my mom's on Friday we were home less than an hour and there were already three major melt downs.  I am talking about crying, tears, yelling, and telling me Mommy doesn't like her because Mommy couldn't do the exact thing she wanted to do at that exact time.    It was FUN....let me tell you.


Hmmmm...... what else.  Oh, I tried to be  Holly Homemaker this weekend and make this from Williams-Sonoma.

It is a gingerbread Halloween House.  Let me tell you it was awful.  You have to make the royal icing with the packets contained in the box.

In the end is is supposed to look like the picture above.  First of all my royal icing sucked.  I followed the directions.  I even slowly mixed the stuff for eight minutes on low.  Since the royal icing was not the right texture, it wouldn't stick on the gingerbread.  It was a awful.  Therefore, I just opened the packets of candy corn and let Payton go to town.  She was happy.  That was literally the most expensive candy corn I have ever purchased.  Also, I hate candy corn.  Just FYI.


This weekend was pretty relaxing.  I even managed to take a nap on Saturday and it felt wonderful  Tech beat TCU and the Cowboys won so Derek was happy.

I am now putting the final touches on our plans for the big ski trip at the end of November.

Stages of Sickness

Well, I couldn't avoid the sickness.  By Monday afternoon my throat was on fire.  It hurt to swallow.  I was really  feeling bad.  I went to the minute clinic Monday afternoon and was loaded up with antibiotics and steroids.  On Tuesday I still felt bad and left work after lunch to rest.  However, by Wednesday I was even worse and stayed home all together.  I did something that I haven't done since I had the flu back in 2002.  I stayed in bed all day.  It would have been glorious if not for the fact I felt like total crap.  Then last night about 3:00 a.m. something wonderful happened.  I woke up and I was able to breath through my nose.  I know something as little as that is something that we take for granted; however, when you have been denied that simple little pleasure it was wonderful to have it back.   Now I am still not a 100%, but I feel like I am at least getting better.  I have noticed a pattern every time I get this sickness which I referred to as simply the crud.  I call it that because it is always a sinus infection/ upper respiratory infection.  Therefore, I know you would like to know this, I will tell you how the crud effects me.

Day 1:  Inching throat, headache, and gums hurting.  (Sinus pressure)
Day 2:  Head about to explode because sinus stuff feels like a rock in my head.  Ears hurt.
Day 3:  The tomato day as I refer to it.  The sinus stuff is starting to give way a little; however, not enough.  I feel like I want to stick my head in a juicer to squeeze every thing out.  Eyes watering, nose dripping, head hurting and lack of sleep.  Fever off and on.
Day 4:  The gates have broken lose and I am now blowing my nose every two minutes, coughing, and sneezing.  However, I am actually starting to feel better because the crud is leaving my head.


I know you all really wanted me to break down my sickness, but I thought I would give you a little insight into my last few days.

The good news is that Payton is a 100% better, and Derek started his up swing right when I started going downhill.

In fact after gymnastics today, she went with my mom to get her nails and toes painted.  My mom said she could not talk her out of the orange color; however, she did get a ghost on her toe and a spider on her fingernail.

My mom said she also got a kick out of the messaging chair.

How can someone that cute be a carrier monkey for so many germs?  I try not to love on her too much when she is sick because I know I will get it, but I guess that is just part of being a mom.  When a sick little girl needs cuddles there is no way I am going to refuse.

Other than trying to get better not a lot has been going on at the Cargills.  We still haven't made it to the pumpkin patch.  Not sure when that is going to happen.  This weekend is Tech at TCU.  I think we may try to make it out there this Sunday.

Pinkalicious

This weekend was the big play at the Dallas Children's Theater.   Since the play was by North Park Mall, we stopped first to have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.

Once we arrived at the theater, there was a lot of PINK everywhere.  Of course they had this for all the parents to get a great photo of their child.

They also had items to purchase.  We purchased the gold crown and wand.  They also had intermission. I really don't think they play needed one.  It wasn't very long, but I guess they needed it so you could walk out and purchase Sprinkle Cupcakes.  We didn't venture out to the lobby to the cupcakes, so instead we took more pictures.

Derek was planning on going, but he started feeling under the weather on Wednesday.  I knew it was bad when he wanted to go to the doctor on Thursday.  Payton also went to the doctor on Friday because of the running nose and cough.  Her right ear was "red" so she is now on antibiotics.  So if anyone is keeping score, both Derek and Payton are now under the weather and taking antibiotics.  I am trying to use positive thinking to stay well, but this morning, and as I am typing this, my throat is starting to hurt.  I am currently sipping hot, honey tea in hopes that will make it go away.   Positive thoughts.

I am not really disappointed that Derek didn't make it.  Although any family time is great, this was really a female crowd.  There were only a handful of dads in the audience, and sometimes some Mommy/ Daughter bonding over Pinkalicious is just what is needed on a cold, rainy day that is too wet to go outside.

Payton really enjoyed the show.  I liked it as well.  It was really entertaining.  My only "complaint" is that you really didn't need an intermission.  The audience members are young, but you could have pushed through and gotten everyone out sooner.  I guess that is not really a complaint, but more of a recommendation.

Here is Payton modeling her gear from the show.

Yes, this was the best picture I could get.  Also, I was really pleased with the production and Payton loved it.  We will definitely try to make it out there to more shows.


Now I must go back to work and think positive, healthy thoughts that I don't get sick!!!!

Happy Columbus Day or Fair Day

Today is an official holiday for the state and federal government.  However, I do not work for the state or federal government therefore I am at work.  In the Dallas area this is also known as Fair Day.  The schools are closed so the kids can enjoy the Texas State Fair.   I can say that I have never been to the Texas State Fair, and I don't know if I really have a desire to go.  Maybe when Payton is older we will venture out there, but I can't really say it is something that I really want to do.

Let's see what else.......... This weekend Derek ventured down to Austin to participate in the Tough Mudder.  It is basically a twelve mile race through the mud and other military style obstacles.  He said it was fun; however, he has a massive bruise on his left upper arm.  It seriously looks as though he has been in a car wreck.  While Derek was in Austin, I headed to North Park Mall for some major shopping.  My mom purchased my birthday presents while we were there.  Two new pair of boots!!!!  I have been needing some new boots for awhile, and when Daon blogged about her new pair, I got motivated.

 The black boots have more of a suede finish to them on the top.

 
The brown ones are so pretty, I promise.  This picture is not doing them justice.


I also went by Ann Taylor Loft and found this amazing jacket.  I have decided that I need more color in my closet.  For some reason, I tend to stick with blacks and dark colors.  I have a black leather jacket, the gray wool coat  (my business coat) for really cold days, and a white suede jacket lined with fur that I got when we got married.  However, I saw this and thought I would go outside the box and give it a try.

It is a wool pea coat and it is so soft and warm.

I also stopped at Tiffany & Co. because........ why not?  No, I didn't purchase anything.  We haven't won the lottery, but I did find something that I loved.  So, Derek if you are reading this and we win the lottery and on our ten year anniversary if you want to purchase me this I would have no objections.

It is only $13,000.00.  Who needs to pay for things like a house or car or save for retirement when I could be sporting this?


Other than shopping, I also really enjoyed this weekend because of the weather.  I love the smell of a home the first time you turn the heater on in the winter.  I realize it is all the dust burning off, but still I love it.  The only major disappointment of this weekend was the Texas Rangers.  They were in first place from game four until the last game of the season.  What happened???  Don't they know that the Cowboys are awful and we need them to do well to keep our minds off that very fact?  The only good news is that we will get a refund on the play-off tickets.  Since Derek is a season ticket holder, he gets the first bite at play-off tickets.  However, you have to pay for every home game and you  pay assuming every series will go to seven games and there will be the maximum number of home games played for each series.  Although, I am highly upset in the Rangers, I can now put money towards the above ring.  At this rate, it will be more like our 20th anniversary.


Here is the funny of the day.  I totally forgot that Jackson got a set of fake mustaches for his birthday.

Happy Columbus Day or Fair Day or Monday.........................

Well, Hello Mr. Fireman......

This weekend we traveled to Amarillo for Jackson's fourth birthday party.  The party started off at the downtown fire station.  Let me just say this, firefighters are hot.  They are all in shape, obviously because of their job, and super friendly.  Yes, I know I am married, and very happy, but Hello, they were very nice on the eyes.  I am all for a party were the "host" of the party are nice looking and doesn't involve a bounce house.  Speaking of cute firefighters, check out the cutest one of all, Mr. Jackson himself.

Jackson was seriously the cutest thing I have ever seen.  And here are all the cousins.

Look at how tall Addison is.    

Speaking of cousins, Payton and Addison were stuck together like glue.  I kind of feel bad because I don't think that Granny and Pop got a lot of time to see Payton.  She was too busy running around with Addison and Jackson.

After the fire station we went back to Granny's house for ice cream and cake.    The one thing that we have started doing when we drive to Amarillo is to take off work on Friday and drive down.  We got there around five on Friday and let Payton go crazy with her cousins.  Payton was awesome on the drive.  She never fell asleep, but she did great.

We also have started leaving on Saturday night, and stopping half way to stay the night.  That way our entire Sunday is not spent on the road.  We arrived home Sunday around noon.  This is Payton on Saturday evening around 6:30 p.m. right when we passed the city limit sign leaving Amarillo.

Do you think girlfriend was tired?  She did nothing but play from the time we arrived to the time we left, and there were no naps.  Payton slept until we woke her up in Childress.  We needed to stop to eat.  We decided we didn't want fast food so we stopped at K-Bob's Steakhouse.   It was great for people watching.  There may be more places to eat in Childress, but I have a feeling this was the only steakhouse, and we were there on Saturday night "date night."  I seriously do not know how anyone can live in such a small town.  I mean you are two hours away from the "big" cities of Amarillo or Wichita Falls.


We had a great time, and I am so glad we got the chance to make it up there.  I am hoping that Jackson still has a love for firefighters so that we can have the party there again next year.

Time Keeps on Slipping Into the Future.....

First of all if anyone can name the band that has that as one of their songs, I will be really impressed. However, that song is exactly how I feel. Mainly, as I blogged about last time, how time keeps marching on and Payton is no longer a baby. I mean this December she will be four!! Four people. That means next year she will be five and kindergarten then high school then college. I also think I am more aware of time then other people because I work by the billable hour. I literally write my time in increments of fifteen minutes. You want fifteen minutes of my time then that will cost you $50.00. I often wonder if I can send a bill to the stupid people in life that waste my time. Like the grocery checker that is taking way too long. It took you fifteen minutes to check me out? Then you owe me $50.00. Then I could get rich by people wasting my time.


I have also decided that I need at least one more weekend (more time) in October. This weekend we are going to Amarillo for Jackson's fourth birthday party. Then I  purchased tickets to this:

Pinkalicious the Musical. It is coming to Dallas Children's Theater in October.  Derek is even planning on going.  We had to carefully plan when we are going because we could only go on the weekend, and if we did Sunday it couldn't interfere with a Cowboy's game.  Also, we couldn't go on the Saturday that Tech plays TCU.  Therefore, it was kind of tricky planning a time, but we finally committed to a date and time.  I think Payton is going to love it.  I told her she could wear all pink to the play.

We also have to plan a trip to the pumpkin patch. Derek is going to be out of town next weekend and I think he is also having to go out of town mid October during the work week for work.  Therefore, I have no clue when we are going to go the pumpkin patch.  Derek and I are both so busy at work it is impossible to take a day off mid week to try to go. Also, we are both (which I love) determined to go to the pumpkin patch as a family.  I would also like to do it sooner than later because that is where we purchase or pumpkins (duh) to decorate the porch for Halloween.  Like I said, I need more time (at least one more weekend) to fit in all the fun things I want to do.


I have made some progress on other things as well.  I have booked the location for Payton's birthday party.  I still don't have a theme yet.  It really is not my fault because she keeps changing her mind.  I have also purchased some birthday and Christmas presents.  Payton's Halloween costume arrived yesterday.  She picked this out because of the sparkly shoes.  Here is the picture we ordered it from:

When she pointed out this costume, I mentioned that if she wanted to be a ballerina then she could wear her recital costume.  I don't know what I was thinking (saving money, perhaps?) but I was told that she wanted to be a pink ballerina and have pink sparkling shoes.  Here is Payton modeling the costume.

I think the headband makes her look like a Vegas showgirl.  Not the look we are going for; however, maybe when we put her hair back in the ballerina bun do then she will look more like a pink ballerina then a flamingo showgirl.   


Speaking of time marching on..............I am feeling the pressure (from myself) regarding another kid.  Payton has been asking for a sister or brother.  She even has names picked out.  The other night she asked me if we can go to the doctor and get a baby.  Then she wanted to know how long it would take the baby to arrive once we ordered it from the doctor. I know you shouldn't base this life altering decision to have another child on a three year old, but I can see how our decision regarding the subject will impact her.  She said she wanted a sibling so she could have someone to play with and love.  Seriously, melted my heart. 

I still don't know what we are planning to do about another child.  I do feel like if we are going to have another one maybe we should start before time keeps marching along.  However, Derek and I are both unsure if we 100% want another child.  Sigh........ I mean honestly, we really don't know.  Also, I am not one of those people to just try and see what happens.  I have the strong opinion if you are not actively taking steps to prevent it then you are trying to have a baby.  Before we "try" I want to be a 100% positive we want another little one.  We really are struggling with the issue.


Okay......... back to work and to bill my life away.


P.S.  if I was charging my readers (hi four people) this blog post would have cost you $50.00 dollars each.  Hope it was worth your time and money to actually read.

Making a List

Lately, I have felt so behind on just stuff in general.  Part of it is work and another part is pure not wanting to do it.  The things that I have put off are not major things, but since I have let them set they are now piling up and  just thinking about getting started makes me tired. Therefore, I have decided to just make a list and check things off one by one.  The first thing on my list.  To actually download, organize, print, and make into pretty books/scrapbooks pictures of Payton from birth until now.  I took the first step and actually downloaded and organized into downloaded folders all the pictures of Payton in chronological order.  That was no easy task.  However, it was enjoyable because I found so many pictures that just made me laugh.  I also shed a few tears because she is really no longer a baby.

I mean, seriously, why do they have to grow up so fast?  I love the age Payton is right now, but looking at those pictures makes me seriously miss my baby.

The next thing on my list is to actually organize and furnish (cheaply for now) the junk room.  Over the Labor Day weekend I totally cleaned out our house.  It was wonderful, but the junk room became more of a junk room.  Furniture that we no longer use (just a desk and chair) and tons of pictures from law school, marriage, and the first few months of Payton are all in containers just laying on the floor.  Curtains that I need to hang (also on my to do list) hanging in the closet.  It really is a big fat mess.  Therefore, that is next on my list.

Other things on my list are just more personal.  Not really anything in particular, but more of just to enjoy everything.  Take Payton more places and enjoy the seasons.  I have already purchased Rapunzel tickets for the family from Casa Manana theater in  Fort Worth for February.  I have already pinned (yes, I know pintrest is a love/ hate for some) some fun fall things to do with Payton like painting tree leaves and fun fall crafts.  Although my crafts will never be as good or creative as the ones I am trying to do off pintrest, it is still fun.

I would love for all of us to camping as well.  I am not a camper, I am not a huge fan of nature, but I know that in a few years Payton will not want to spend all her time with us.  Therefore, I really want to take advantage of this time while Derek and I are still the coolest people to her.  I also want her to experience new things.  I don't know if I had some kind of epiphany, but I think looking back at all her pictures made me realize that this time is so precious.  I always knew it was, but I really want to focus on doing things with her that are not just her tagging along with me on weekends while I do my "to do" list of weekend chores.  Don't get me wrong, it is a part of life, but I want to try to really plan at least one thing every week (big or small) that is all about her and creating an experience that she will enjoy and hopefully remember.   I have no idea if that is making any sense, but I know what my goal is and I am going to try to check it off my list every week.


Speaking of Payton, have you ever noticed once you have a kid all the things you forgot about from your childhood is suddenly brought back in an instant.  For example, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, rolling down a grassy hill, eating that Popsicle that is in the long plastic tube and drinking all the Popsicle juice out once you are done with it.  Well, I had another flash back last night.  We have started reading some poems out of this at night.

I have totally forgotten about this book. It was one of my favorites in elementary school.  I think I bought it for Payton when she was first born.  I remember seeing it when I was shopping for baby books for Payton and buying it because I loved it so much.  She found it on her bookshelf the other day and we started reading some poems.  It totally brought me back to elementary school and checking this book out from the library.  I will say that I did remember the illustrations being a little different, but some of them are flat out weird and not appropriate for a toddler (they still scare me).  However, I try to skip those pages when I am reading to Payton.  Payton's favorite poems are Hot Dog for a Pet and Too Many Kids in this Tub.

HOT DOG
I have a hot dog for a pet,
The only kind my folks would let
Me get.
He does smell sort of bad
And yet,
He absolutely never gets
The sofa wet.
We have a butcher for a vet,
The strangest vet you ever met.
Guess we're the weirdest family yet,
To have a hot dog for a pet.

There's too many kids in this tub
There's too many elbows to scrub
I just washed a behind that I'm sure wasn't mine
There's too many kids in this tub.

I mean seriously, how can those not make you smile??? I hope everyone has an awesome weekend.