I made it

So I got on an airplane today.

and took a flight to Houston.

I'm not sure which Houston airport I was in, but it's the one that is remodeling their "train" system. I walked to the opposite end of terminal A, went outside & got on a shuttle bus to terminal B.

Houston of course, makes me think of my college roommate Marji- one of my very favorite people- she lives here and Holly the marathon bird- one of my very favorite bloggers... I would just love to sit & visit with them both. I wish I had more time.

The whole time I was thinking- I can't believe I sent Hailey & Chloe off on an airplane in July to come out here!? I'm so glad they didn't fly through Houston. I mean- I was just a little lost. I stopped & asked someone how to get to terminal B-- he replied but had a thick accent & I didn't get a word of it. So- I headed on & followed the signs. Funny, that was only one of two accents I heard today. My luck to ask the one guy with an accent? It was cool though. It reminds me of my mother's side of the family- she is from Oklahoma- if you didn't know.

It took me a while to find my gate, eat a quick lunch (I was starving) & hop on the connecting flight to Megan's town. I wish she lived closer. I'm not complaining- I'm so glad they are happy where they are & Tony has a great job, etc. I'm just sayin'- it will be hard to leave them.

I opted for lunch at McDonald's- I was in a major hurry & let's face it- I had never heard of most of the food options & wanted to play it safe. One thing about mickey d's... you know exactly what you're gonna get. It's all the same- almost.

Did you know that in Texas a Big & Tasty Burger is called an All American Burger?
Also, in Texas at McDonald's you can order Sweet Tea!
I've NEver seen Sweet Tea on a menu before that I can remember. There is no sweet tea out west folks.
Brian says that in Chile they have avocado on all the hamburgers- crazy huh!?


So, I'm here.
Trent sent me an email tonight:
MOM MISS MISS MISS YOU TRENT PS I AM SAD
He called & was laughing within minutes, then begging for the new transformer movie which came out today & is PG-13 & not only violent but full of sexual innuendo... no thank you! He insists that he would not watch the "body parts" ? I'm not sure where he got that or what that is supposed to mean? I told him weeks ago- he is relentless in the begging department, remember our cell phone issues?- not to be mad at me, be mad at the movie makers for taking an innocent kid subject & ruining it with inappropriate themes for kids. It makes me so mad, seriously.

then I said- go ask your dad.
In fact... you can talk to your dad about it all night.
Sorry babe, I hope you get some sleep.

July 3rd

We have the most fun for the fourth of July here in our town.

The celebration starts on the third with a children's parade, concert in the park & fireworks. It's my favorite two days of the year!

We take a traditional meal of-

Albertson's fried chicken (my favorite),

shrimp pasta salad,

watermelon &

cupcakes, of course...

WE only eat this meal once a year- so it means a lot to the kids? I don't know why, but we never eat this salad or fried chicken except for on the 3rd. The kids were so excited about the salad.. who knew?

This year - second year in a row-- we had my sister Johnna & her family with us from WA state!

we wish this would become a tradition, it was so fun to have them here.

Next year-

Jack will most likely be gone on a mission, so this was his last year at the park for a while... someday I hope we are all here together again. It would mean the world to me. But, for now- I'm just happy my children are all doing so well, wherever they are!

Trent is currently obsessed with Transformers.

The cartoon & ya- I broke down & let him watch the first Transformer movie.

It's rated PG 13... so as family arrived at our house before the festivities he would announce- "I'm watching a violent movie!!" with excitement. He will NOT be watching the second one currently in theatres- pretty much ever, if I have my way, which I won't.

So- he came along to the park with Optimus Prime in hand- fun- not & the movie with my laptop. This was the second year he hasn't gotten lost & the first year he has not been difficult, so apparently "violent movies" are good for something.

Brittany & Marcus were with us!

They will be married in less than a week- amazing.

Marcus has been with us for the fourth of July for years & it is just more special when he is here. It just feels right.

The band this year, The BEAch ToYs were fantastic!

I will admit I was a little worried when I saw their name...

but seriously the were GREAT!!

-We loved them-

They even look like the beach boys-

It was so fun to be together.

I sure love these girls.

They have been an absolute joy this summer.

They helped me to get ready for company & with dinner, and with Trent- they are awesome.

They are leaving soon for a week with Megan in Arkansas...

I don't know what I will do without them!??

Miraculously the Beach Toys turn into the Monkeys part way through the show, really great stuff here. They really sounded like them & hey- look like them too!

We sat near great friends at the park & here is Cassidy enjoying a cupcake-

I think she is my biggest cupcake fan here.

We even talked to Joy- from Joy's of Home- yep, she only lives a block from me... wow knowing a cool blogger like her is better than knowing a celebrity!
do you read her? she is amazing!

These pictures are especially for Megan & the missionary.

Jack & one of his best friends Zach.

They are going to be college roommates soon.

Cool beans man.

Soon after the Monkeys preformed--

they morphed into

The Beattles
Their best band yet!

Trent found a little friend who wandered over to see what he was watching.

Is she darling or what?

He offered her one of his head phones... so cute.

At least he's nice, I mean- for someone who watches violence??

The fireworks & patriotic music was oh so wonderful....

I have been trying for hours to upload video with this post - with no success.

Maybe later I will try it again?

It was a great day!

MOre on the fourth to come.

more than meets the eye

In my efforts to create a more purpose filled life I have started to simplify. I'm not really good at simplifying- in fact I am realizing simplifying is halting my ability to think or get things done. Being really busy is the way I have rolled for a long time. It's habit now- it's hard to undo. When I'm busy I get more done. Now that I am having days where I don't need to be anywhere... I am getting nothing done. I realized yesterday it's partly because I'm adjusting to my less busy schedule. For instance on the busiest day for me this week I got the most done around my home- on the least busiest day- nothing significant. Does anybody else work like this?After school (early out) I decided to have some just trent & me time. We went to our local Walmart- ya you heard it here- we went to walmart. My son in law after doing an internship there all summer- just got a job working at walmart corporate headquarters after he graduates. So I am now a walmart kind of gal (laughing out loud- I crack myself up.- I love you tony :) Taking Trent to walmart for fun? This is progress people! Taking him to the store when he was little was tear induced torture & instant humiliation for me. Being a seasoned mother by the time trent came along this was very, very difficult. I thought I knew what I was doing?? hear in lies the problem... I have/had so much to learn. Anyhow- He has come such a long way! He was delightful- we had a great time & I realized that I know way too much about transformers- seriously.

For instance- this is optimus prime- aka: "prime" at our house. He is the leader of the autobots. They fight the evil decepticons. We have loads of autobots (I'm much to embarrassed to say how many) at our house & NO decipticons- they are evil people.Transformers are pretty much everywhere at walmart. Look here a cool optimus prime pinata- wow.A- HA- this is what he was looking for- a three pack bumble bee. Bumble bee is an autobot & his vehicle form is a Chevy camaro dudes. He is way cool & more importantly the neighbor kid already has it. The three pack is on our list for Christmas or our list for when Trent's 60 sticker chore sticker chart is full. Last week - the chore/homework chart filled to capacity (after a month) & ya- we searched town for the $40 prime he had been working for- ouch. Is anyone else out there amazed that they sell out so quickly they are hard to find!? Honestly? Still it's well worth a lesson in responsibility & delayed gratification (something very difficult to teach to ADHD kids- trust me.)There is also a new Transformers game out there- those Hasbro marketing geniuses are always thinking. Aren't we lucky? I came around the corner to see this... the Ultimate Bumble bee. Unfortunately for me I went immediately into sticker shock & loudly exclaimed "$84.99- Holy Crap- this is ridiculous!" which brought on some laughter by passers by- & snickers from the nearby walmart employee. Seriously we are not buying this- luckily Trent didn't even want it. Holy moly people- what in the heck? (why do I have a problem with this expensive toy, yet feel no anxiety buying an American Girl doll? Am I sexist? A toy snob? Or do I just not get boys?)

My goal here today was to find an Optimus Prime Halloween costume- but they were sold out. Of course this was the only item sold out...

So off to Target where - they only had sizes 4-8. Bummer dude. But look at this little section of items!? Leaving the store without an autobot... almost brought on some serious anxiety. Again with that delayed gratification lesson- ouch. We did purchase a $3 transformer puzzle. we are supposed to get 6" of snow this weekend - so the puzzle= life saver for us all.

On the way out we stopped for a chocolate chip pretzel & root beer. This was so much fun! Trent I am so proud of you- you are such a great boy! Thanks for sharing a fun date with me.

Does anyone know how to make an optimus prime costume?- I may have to get online to see if they even sell them in a larger size. This is going to be a fun Halloween!

*can you believe we are supposed to get 6" or more of snow?

Our leaves haven't even turned colors all the way yet!