Menu

I'm about to go to the grocery store (sigh), so I guess I better plan my week.

Monday- Leftovers

Tuesday-Tacos

Wednesday-Baked Potatoes

Thursday-Silly Supper

Friday- ???

A Baird Family Christmas Tree

We put our tree up on Friday night. I hope the boys stay this excited about it as they grow older, or at least fake it for dear old mom. They love going through the ornament box and finding the ones they've made to hang on the tree. When they tree was up, the pics were taken, and it was time for bed, Rylan said, "Can we leave it (the tree) up?" We had to promise him it would still be there in the morning. Love these moments!

My big boy, Bryce... 4th grade, 9 years old, 130 pounds, 5 ft 2 inches tall... I predict he'll be taller than me by 6th grade. (2 years)

My middle son, Jayden, full of a dry sense of humor at 6 years old. He looks just like my dad and brother. We often have to be careful not to spit out our food at the dinner table because of the funny things he unexpectedly says. He keeps us on our toes and makes us laugh constantly.

My "baby", Rylan tells me he'll always snuggle with me, even when he gets big. I hope it's true. People are constantly telling him how cute he is, and he is starting to use it to his advantage.

All three, posing in front of the finished tree.

They thought they'd pose as a Christmas tree. Their idea..

Our finished tree all lit up!

Rylan gets to put the angel on top!

The boys with their favorite s'mores sports ornaments.

Busy boys

Jayden said this was the first step and last step.

Rylan and Mommy "fluffing" the tree.

Just catching a "moment."

More "fluffing!"

The boys doing an "excited face" while waiting for Mommy and Daddy to figure out how to fit the huge tree in the small living room.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2009

Time for Pie... Bryce's goal is to make some weird face and ruin my pics... ahhh!!!

With my mommy in the kitchen

The boys recruited Grandma and Big Mark to play Wii. Rylan told Dad, "I'm not going to show you the shortcuts because I wanna win!" Nice!

Our Thanksgiving Table

This is the first time my parents have come to visit us for Thanksgiving. We had a great time. We picked them up in Shreveport and ate lunch at the Boardwalk and walked around a little, taking pictures, and browsing some stores. It was a beautiful day. On Thanksgiving, we got the turkey in the oven, and I took them on a little drive through our small "hicktown" (dubbed by my brother who visited us last year for Thanksgiving.) Then, we prepared the rest of the food, watched the obligatory football games, ate our "feast", and watched Christmas Vacation while eating our dessert. It was a great day. The pics are not in any particular order (too lazy.)

My boys in their "height line" at the Boardwalk.

Me and my "turkey" :)

The grandparents and grandsons

Tammy with Mom and Dad

Posing on the Boardwalk

Dan showing off his gym before Mom and Dad left town

The tree is up and we are working on decking the rest of the halls... stay posted!

It's how you live....

Every once in a while a song REALLY speaks to me.. I actually found this while looking for a different one to share. Listen to the words... love it!

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

No menu this week... tonight we had a quick "silly supper" (eggs and toast) after a basketball game, and I don't cook on Thanksgiving Week!!!!! (Except for the big meal on Thursday, of course!) One more day of work to go, then getting some me time tomorrow afternoon for hair and shopping. Then, I'm picking my parents up at the airport on Wednesday morning. They've never come for Thanksgiving, so we are all really excited! This week, I just thought I'd share some of the pics I've been taking. Thanksgiving Blessings to all of your families!

Playing in the leaves in our front yard.

In the fall, we love having bonfires in our backyard and roasting hotdogs and marshmallows.

Brothers getting along... Kodak Moment... playing Connect Four!

Fun with Words

go here and have fun with it... I'm thinking of all kinds of cool ideas to do with this.... cards, gifts, etc.

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

I've often wished I could write poetry with ease, but I'm just not gifted that way. I did find this poem to give my dad today for his birthday. Happy Birthday Dad... I love you.
Life Lessons

You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word.

Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart.

Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be
The woman I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away.

I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
So here's to you, dear father,
From your forever grateful kid.

By Joanna Fuchs
Thoughts about my dad, today, on his 56th Birthday... a father should never have to bury his only son, but my dad had to do that this year. I've never seen my dad weep like I did in those days. But, the caring my dad had for my brother was not expressed only in those days after Mark was gone. I can honestly say that my brother knew the deep love my parents had for him while he was living. I know this because I had so many conversations with my brother over the past several years. One thing that always came out in our conversations was how he knew how much my parents cared for him. Mark undoubtedly knew that Dad loved him unconditionally. That is all a father can give to his children... There were many hard days, but Mark always knew of the undying love from his father. What a beautiful earthly example of our relationship with our heavenly father. Arms open wide, forgiving us of our sins, wiping the slate clean, and helping us in a new walk. Of course, the end was not what any of us wanted, but I hope that my Dad is at peace that he did do all that was humanly possible to show his love to my brother. And, they have many, many wonderful times together, memories shared by father and son. Life is so precious, and the line between life and death is sometimes so much closer than we realize. Thank you, Dad, for being there... for all of us. Happy Birthday.

A Moment

I use this blog for many purposes... I plan and organize my meals, I post family photos, I write about my job, and blab about all kinds of stuff. Tonight I want to journal a feeling I do not want to forget. We were walking into church this morning, late as usual, but I just took a breath for just a moment as we were walking through the parking lot, and noticed the three little boys, all three squeaky clean, full of life, full of hope, and I just felt an overwhelming sense that I am living the life of my dreams. Listen, it has not always been perfect, and I don't feel it necessary to share some of the ups and downs we have experienced in our marriage, but today, right now and for the past several years, actually it is sooo good. I am so thankful that God gave me the courage to make the choices I have needed to, and that I am with the man I am with, and that I have the three beautiful, active, crazy sons that I do.

a picture at our backyard bonfire tonight

What's for dinner?

Planning my week:

Sunday: Hotdogs around the bonfire

Monday:

Breakfast: Pumpkin Muffins... recipe here! I just made them and tried one (and a half). They are to die for. I didn't do the icing this time.

Dinner: Porcupine Meatballs

Tuesday: Tomato Basil Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Wednesday: Tator Tot Casserole

Thursday: Pork Fried Rice

Friday: ???

And a pic -

On Education...

In 2008 we moved from one of the largest cities in Texas to one of the smallest, and it is a completely different world. Some good things, some bad... but that's how life is, right? Today was a good thing. The whole community came together at the high school. We had a lovely Veteran's program with the band, kids singing and speaking, a military guest speaker, a flag parade, and much, much more. Do you know that in the past I have worked in a district that barely made mention of this important day? Tonight, even my kindergartener and pre-k-er talled about veterans and their importance. I'm impressed with our l'il 'ol town. Days like today are a very important part of educating! I was proud to be a part of it!

I'm so glad Bryce's class got picked to perform. And, that I got to be there. Working in a different school district last year, I missed all this kind of stuff.

This couple was precious all decked out in their Red, White, and Blue.

Bryce and other students told about different wars and got to wear costumes.

Flag parade... all different shapes and sizes of USA flags paraded by proud Elementary students.

We are eating, even though I haven't been posting much...

Confession... when we first got married, we ate every meal in front of the tv, unless we were at a restaurant.. eating around the table seemed too formal for our just-out-of college lifestyle. That was our pre-kid stage... Then, about 3 years later, our first son came along, and nothing really changed. Well, EVERYTHING changed, but the not eating around the table didn't change. Things were crazy... Dan working full time, going to school, and coaching on the side. Me trying to hold it all together as a new mom and working full time. My normal routine was to put Bryce in the highchair while I did the dishes and then I would eat standing up or later after he was in bed. Fast forward three years and I have three children, ages 5, not yet 2, and a baby. I was now married to a full-time coach/teacher but he was now working on his emergency teaching certificate, and we were commuting 30 miles each to work, in different directions. At this point, I was still in survival mode... just trying to get my little boys fed was a challenge, clean, and in bed before 9 was a success. Dan was never home and things were insane! Just thinking about those days makes me crazy.. Good memories, but I definitely feel like I "smell the roses" a lot more now. We are still busy, but we are eating around the table about 3-4 times a week. To some that may not sound like enough, but for a coach's family and a full-time working mom, I'm pretty proud of that! The boys have started to expect eating around the dining room table for dinner, and my husband, who never really cared one way or the other if we ate around the table (from a family of 12, I don't think they had a table big enough!) enjoys it, too.

I am so glad that we started eating most dinners around the table together... so many good things happen there. We pray together. We share our "Bests and Worsts." Also, very important to a mom of three sons, we teach manners to our sons. So, to my mom, thanks for instilling these values, you were right!

This week...

Monday-Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

Tuesday-Cheeseburger "Pie"

Wednesday-Silly Supper (What we call it when we do breakfast for dinner)

Thursday-Hamburgers

Friday-????

Current Projects...

This is a bad picture... but it is an ugly brass swing arm lamp. Who would buy this? Me!

And, I sprayed it with this... and, as soon as I find or make the lampshade, I'll show you the finished product!

Also, in the works.... (in my mind, only)... I am looking for the perfect steal of a table... round, coffee table to put in the kids' tv room. I'm going to paint the top with chalkboard paint. They will love it!!!! I can't remember where I saw this done... was it HGTV or while surfing blogs... if it was you, thanks! I'm also currently on the prowl for a nightstand for Bryce's room but have yet to be inspired.