Independence Day Recap......

I sure hope everyone had a great 4th holiday filled with fun, food, family, and FREEDOM!!! We had a great time with Logan's parents, my parents, and Logan's godparents (Brian and Debbie Davenport) at Lake LBJ. We spent Friday and Saturday in and out of the water, but not in the boat (because it was RIDICULOUSLY crowded this year). Lake Travis was down, the heat/humidity were CRAZY, and EVERYONE wanted to be out on the boat. So we'll just wait it out until a weekday or next weekend.... we can have a nice section of lake practically to ourselves so the guys can barefoot. We had a great time floating on this HUGE float that can hold around 10 people.... They had it tethered between the dock and the boatlift. Some of us got on it, and the wake was so crazy from the lake traffic we would slide off at times!!! It was great fun, nonetheless. Weiss enjoyed jumping off the dock to B-Paw (my dad) and Logan. We got some great video of that.

Something new this year was a great neighborhood block party. The neighbors down at the lake have always been pretty close, and they decided to combine festivities this year. Everyone cooked their own meat, but we combined the other things. It was a SMORGASBORD!!! There was even a salsa contest and washer contest--which I am proud to say, my hubby and father-in-law won! One of the families had several members in a family band, and they provided the music, which was really fun! Weiss enjoyed popping small fireworks this year; as a matter of fact, we had to go back to the stand two days in a row to stock back up! I had just as much fun as he did lighting and popping them!

The Homeyers came out last night to sit on the deck with all of us and watch the Kingsland, Horseshoe Bay, and neighbors' fireworks shows. Dickey and Cinda have the perfect spot on the lake to have a great view of the show without having to get out in the boat. However, that's the best part for me: watching the boats go up the lake to the fork in the Colorado and Llano. The boats all watch the fireworks parked together, and some boats are so close in the water you can walk boat to boat! It's fun when they all leave because the wake gets SO HUGE and the water white caps. Little boats really have a hard time. The water sloshes up over the seawalls, which are about 3 feet, and could knock you down if you were standing at the edge. However, we were looking down on all of this from the deck, which is on the second floor. A great ending to a fun weekend!

ANYWAY.... Today, Mom and Dad left, and Logan, Weiss and I took a Sunday afternoon nap! Mom and Dad also brought down my September birthday present early so I could use it: a new bike with a child's seat! (I'll do the trailer when we have more than one kiddo, but for now, I though the seat would let me maneuver more easily.) I was super excited! I really wanted one to change up my marathon training and for cardio, so we took it for a spin tonight and rode about 4 miles! Logan even got out his bike and aired up the tires. My old bike from middle school will be going to the library thrift store. My booty is a bit sore getting used to the seat, but I'll soon get used to it.... I really felt the burn with a heavy toddler behind me! It's so nice to do more miles and move more quickly in the heat so there's a nice breeze drying my sweat! Weiss kept saying, "This is fun!" He had a precious sea turtle helmet on, which he is quickly outgrowing!

Speaking of "outgrowing" things, this weekend, Dad and Logan took down the baby bed rail to Weiss's bed and put up the toddler rail! It was a bittersweet moment for me to see him one step closer to being a "big boy...." However, it will mean easier sleep for me, because he can come knock on the door to our room (which he already does when I am doing homework) and get out of bed on his own. I won't have to worry about listening for his voice saying, "Mommy! Daddy! I want out of bed, please!"

Tomorrow, Weiss begins two weeks of swimming lessons. I hope he does well; they have moved him up to the older kids' class (3 and 4) because he already has taken lessons in San Antonio and jumps to us from the side of the pool/deck. I sure hope they let me stay in the water with him, or else he may not like it.... I'll keep everyone posted.....

7 Random Things About Me.....

Okay, Aimee! I am finally getting around to doing this.... I have been wanting to, but I have been sooooo lazy on blogging lately..... Here are seven random facts, in no particular order... (You all probably know some of them already....)

1. I REALLY love working in the yard. I find it extremely therapeutic.... Stress relief, calorie burn...all of that! (And it's great exercise, to boot!) This is something that is new for me and has happened over the past few years. I love learning about plants and taking care of them; they are like my babies! I've also gotten brave and we now have several citrus trees; they will live their lives in large pots because of the climate here.... We have a lime, Meyer lemon, lemondrop (a mandarin orange/lemon hybrid), a grapefruit, and manadrin orange trees! And we do get fruit from them! (They smell divine when they are blooming.....) I have really enjoyed this year because I can really work and get dirty while Weiss plays outside. He's also at that wonderful age where I can slip in a quick shower after I am all sweaty from working!

2. I want Weiss to have the most memorable childhood possible. (Of course, you have to learn boundaries and discipline at the same time.....) I know most parents feel this way, and I'm not alone in feeling this, however. We try to take a "field trip" at least once a week to do something out of the ordinary, and I try to do little things around the house to make him feel special. (I try to do a craft project or two each week so he'll learn and have fun....) We also take a weekly library trip, which he really enjoys. I am a cleaning fanatic, but it looks like I run a home daycare because of all of the "kid things" in our living area!!!! I love entertaining him, because I can be a kid again, too!

3. I love Chick-Fil-A. And Target. And Nordstrom. (Usually when I go to the "big city," I hit up all three.... hahaha) And for Weiss, my new favorite is Baby GAP.

4. I love my hubby. Even though we can drive each other crazy at times, he is my balance. The salt to my pepper. The yin to my yang. I love watching him be a daddy---it really pulls him out of his "shell...." (For example, he would NEVER want to eat at a kid's buffet line, go to a theme park, or surround himself with a bevy of children normally, but for Weiss, he'd do anything! I love that!) I am thankful that although we have slight differences, we see the BIG issues the same: spiritual issues, issues related to how we raise our kiddo, et cetera.

5. Building on #4, Logan and I live a bit differently than most. We cook most of our meals, and try to eat as hormone-, pesticide-, and artificial additive-free as we can. (Granted, when you eat out, that is another issue in itself. However, everything in moderation! We have to socialize..) This has been a gradual transition for me, but I am really into it now. It is a bit more expensive and time-consuming, but it tastes better and is healthier. I am thankful for a husband who has made me wacky, too!

6. I LOVE to read. I'm not just talking about just a book here and there. I'm talking a RIDICULOUS amount. I don't really like fiction (unless I've had several recommendations beforehand), but I tend to read nonfiction, historical, spiritual, and health-related books. I wish I could be a professional book reviewer and actually make MONEY off of my all-consuming hobby.....

7. If I could do anything, I would love to adopt internationally. Yes, I know the shpiel about adopting domestically, and that's wonderful and all, but with international orphans, one's life literally hangs on the brink. Adoption may be the very thing separating that child from life or death. I pray everyday that one day we will adopt one of our children internationally. After all, we are all orphans in Christ, and He has so graciously loved us and become our Father (James 1:27).

Busy Week....

Hello, Everyone!

Sorry for the "blogging delay," but we've had some summer fun.... Last Monday and Tuesday were VBS here at Marble Falls FBC, and I was volunteering. Mr. Weiss came along to play, even though he was too little for the classes (aww.... he would have loved them!) I worked with the Pre-K group.... I had a great time, but I was thankful to return home to my own little man! (It's like those "mom swaps" on TV---they're fun at first, but everyone is crying for their own mom at the end.... That's how I feel about Weiss! I wanted him back by noontime!)

Monday afternoon, Cinda kept Weiss and I made a trip in to Austin to get Weiss a train table with several Thomas the Train accessories. I then went to Whole Foods for groceries and then came home to set up the table. When Logan walked in with Weiss (he went to pick him up), Weiss screamed and said, "Thank you, Mommy--Thank you Daddy!" He kept saying this over and OVER.... So precious! He had the biggest meltdown EVER when it was time for his bath.... He LOVES his new train set and has played with it constantly from the day I got it.... It was money well-spent, I might say!

Tuesday, Weiss and I drove to Hamilton to meet Mom and Dad...We ate some good Mexican food (Mom--can you remember the name of the restaurant?) and I drove in to Dallas to spend some R&R time! I met up with Cinda, and I went to the pool while she and Kay McDaniel went to market (Terry and I stayed at the pool)....

I got a bit of sun, too! (Actually, WAY too much!) As I have gotten "older," I have wisened up. I used to worship the sun, staying brown year 'round, thanks to the tanning bed. I was addicted like a smoker is to cigarettes. Bad, I know......

After I had Weiss, there was no time for that. (And I noticed sun spots appearing on my body....AGHHH!) Now, the only tan I get comes from a can. I am diligent about wearing sunscreen on my face, neck, and back of my hands. And yes, I am a bit obsessive about spray-tans; sometimes, I look like an Oompa-Loompa. However, I was a bit late on the sunscreen last week. I am paying for it now....

The McDaniels and Cinda and I ate some great, great food. We went to Charlie Palmer's and Abacus.... We stayed at the Joule, which was INCREDIBLE.... The pool is awesome... It is on the tenth floor, and hangs out over the sidewalk.... That was pretty crazy.... It was solid glass overlooking the street!! (I've included a picture of the outside of the hotel... The pool is the glowing blue to the top right....) Thank you, awesome Mom-In-Law! (I am thinking about booking a night for Logan and I sometime in the fall.... He would love it....)

Anyway, I left Saturday morning to get Weiss in Merkel. I stayed with Mom and Dad, and we ran into Abilene for the afternoon. Weiss had seemed to have grown the short time I was gone! I left Sunday morning to meet Logan and Dickey in Big Spring.... They moved Logan's grandad (Pawpaw/Delbert) to the Veteran's Hospital, which has a hospice floor. They are trying to get Delbert in down here in Marble Falls, but there is a waiting list for the nursing homes they want him in.....

Anyway, he is not doing well at all, but he was having a good day on Sunday; he knew all of our names, and even remembered little Weiss. Weiss was an AWESOME sport, too.... He even sat on Delbert's lap in the wheelchair and let him love all over him. (Thank you, Weiss!) I couldn't have been a prouder mommy! Logan and I then stopped by the cemetery to see Meagan's grave. (For those of you who don't know, Meagan is Logan's sister who was two years older--they lost her to cancer at age 17.) We then got on the road and made it back to Marble Falls.

Weiss and I have just taken it easy this week (he's played with his train table) and I've been cleaning up around the house. I wrap up my career counseling class final this week and won't have another class until late August. It is nice. I am taking a break! See you soon!

The New Jib Jab...

Okay. I've loved this site since early college (when I was a political science major....). Here's the newest Jib Jab. And I think it is pretty much what the Obama supporters think.... Take a look....... (NOTE: You will probably have to scroll down to the bottom of the web page first and turn off my background music to hear.....)

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

More Recent Random Pics....

Here is a recent photo of the three of us, a picture of Weiss and precious Sydney White, a picture from Wildseed Farms, a picture swimming in his kiddie pool at Mia and Grappa's, and some pictures from Longhorn Caverns last weekend.....

Some Pictures...

I admit: I get really lazy with pictures. Since I am on Logan's computer, here are some of the latest--from last night, actually. We have been eating dinner on our back patio (with the help of six tiki torches with anti-mosquito oil).... Logan had a little inflatable pool at the end of his little playscape's slide, and Weiss was running around sans clothing and playing in the water. He stopped for some quick pics...

Weiss Antics.....

Weiss is sure growing. I am always amazed at what he says, and there are things I am noticing him pick up from other places. At this stage in life, that's good, because the only "other places" are at both grandparents' homes, the church nursery, and other church activities. However, (I know this won't quite be the case as he gets older....)

Anyway, here are some funny things he's said the past week. (I really should type them as they occur, because I forget so many of the cute things...)

--He constantly calls himself "Puppy Dog." (Remember a previous blog post?) He is always saying things like, "Puppy Dog wants to ____," or "Puppy Dog likes ______." However, if you call him Puppy Dog, there are times when he will correct you. "Me no Puppy Dog; my name's Weiss!!!" I love to provoke this....I'll do things like, "Is your name Jim Bob?" "Hey Santa Claus, would you bring me that toy?" I love it because he will say, "Me no Jim Bob/Santa Claus, my name's Weiss!!!" And if I'm lucky, sometimes he'll say his full name: Weiss Height Tanley. TRANSLATION: Weiss Hyatt Stanley

--I've found a great line of hot dogs for kids at Whole Foods... The meat is from organic, grass-fed, hormone-free beef. It's also free of nitrites and nitrates, so children and even those who are pregnant--some of my friends out there, not me at this time--can eat them. (I remember I could have robbed a bank for a loaded chili dog when I was with child!) And Weiss LOVES them.... I have to cut him off at two hot dogs (minus the buns--we usually do a pita or Ezekiel bread if he wants it) because he could eat them all day! So the other day, he finished his second hot dog over watching "Barney" during lunch.
He pitter-patted up to me: "More hot dog?"
"No honey, you've already had two hot dogs."
He replied, "Three hot dogs???"
(I couldn't stop laughing at how early children learn manipulation.)

--Weiss is capable of potty training (and he's almost two and a half), but he doesn't like to go sit on the toilet when asked. Sometimes I will put him on the potty right after he wakes up and his diaper is dry, but if his diaper is really wet from the previous night, I just skip that step. (I do know that "potty training" ME is an important part of the process (getting me to be consistent), and we're working on that, too. But he's not too interested at this point...) ANYWAY--if it is his idea, he will go #1 and #2 on the potty. Sometimes, he even tells me to change his diaper. For example, this morning, he came in the room and had removed his PJ pants and diaper. He had a fresh diaper in his hand and powder. He said, "Mama, change my pants?" I had to laugh!!!

--Like most kiddos, he has a fascination with water. He always wants to wash his hands and make a mess with soap. However, he goes to the sink so much, I have had to go so far as to put a childproof doorknob turner on the door....

There are other antics, but I will have to think for a minute....