Several months ago, I shared with you that I lost my beagle boy.     Losing Alvin, left us with one remaining dog, Murray. I told you about a few of his quirks here.

Well, for as long as Murray has been a part of our lives, he has always had another dog in the house to be his playmate.   So, when Alvin was gone – Murray became pretty depressed.   He started clinging to me more than usual.   He was eating more than usual.   He reacted differently when we came home from a trip to the store.   Basically, he just wasn’t himself.   I think he didn’t A) know how to be an “only” dog, and B) was really lonely.

So, I did some searching on petfinder.com to see if I could find him a playmate.   I really wanted another beagle, because their temperament seems to do well with children, they’re dog-gone cute, and relatively small.

I came across several dogs in our area – one in particular stood out.   A petite little girl that was in the same shelter that was once Murray’s home.   We made plans to go look at her. We took the boys with us to make sure she would behave with children.   We also took Murray to make sure she was not aggressive toward other dogs.   She passed both tests with flying colors and voila – we came home with a new dog.

Macie at home in my lap.

Since then she moved right in and made herself at home.   For the first couple of days, all she did was sleep.   She didn’t seem to be feeling well.   After a quick trip to the vet we found out she had Kennel Cough.   Once she had some meds, she perked up into a lively little spitfire.   Now she only stops for a brief snuggle before finding something to get into.

Macie snuggled on the couch.

Murray and Macie snuggled together in the sunlight.

I had forgotten that one habit that many beagles enjoy is digging.   Luckily, the place she is most fond of digging is in a barrel.   I figure if she’s gotta dig, that’s a great place because at least it has a bottom and she doesn’t tear up the yard.

Macie caught in the act.

"It wasn't me, Ma!"

I try to scold her, and she tries to tell me that she didn’t do it.

"Murray, did it! It wasn't me!"

But with a face like this, she gets away with just about anything.

Last week, I took the boys out to get cowboy hats and a pair of boots.

Hubby wanted to know why the boys “needed” them.

I told him that all Texas boys need a pair of boots and a cowboy hat.

There’s just something about a cowboy that makes you smile.

And once those hats settled on these cute little heads, I nearly went weak at the knees.

Because there’s just something about a cowboy.

A couple of weeks ago, I looked out my back window and saw this guy.   I was fascinated and creeped out all at the same time.   So, I opened the window and removed the screen so I could zoom in and get these shots.

He reminded me of the old Kermit song, “It ain’t easy being green.”

Last weekend, the boys and I headed out to the local park for the annual “Pecan Festival.”   I realized once we got home that I didn’t actually see any pecans.   (They are harvested around Thanksgiving.)   Hmmm.   Maybe the city planners need to reschedule the festival so that city residents might actually see some pecans.   It would also be much more pleasant to traipse around the park in 60-70 degree weather, as opposed to the 90 degree weather we had Saturday.   Oh well…

Anyway, we went for the rides, and the bounce houses, and the booths that have giveaways – and of course, the food.   There is just something about “fair food” that is wonderful.   Even though it probably ranks among “Worst Possible Food FOR You”, it tastes wonderful.     And, I think there is some sort of unwritten law that states “fair food” when possible, must be on a stick.

My boys LOVE food on a stick.

Several months ago, actually 6 months, 1 week, and 5 days (but who’s counting),   my husband started on a project in our back yard.     Since the day he started, the yard has been in a state of disrepair and frankly it looks awful.   I know it won’t stay like this forever.   In fact, now that the weather is cooling off construction will likely resume on the landscaping   in the near future.

All summer, I’ve longed for something to look nice in our yard.   Even though I didn’t pray for it, God heard my heart.   He sent an invader from the neighbor’s yard – a creeping vine with beautiful blue flowers.

Thank you, God for sending me an answered prayer.

Life has been busy in the TexasT house.   We wrapped up “summer school” had a little break, and now we are a week into the new school year.   My class size has doubled now that Tigger is also “officially” a student.   So far, this year has required much more energy, but it has also been a lot more fun.   We’re reading more – which is always a good thing.

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Hubby and I have been asked to lead in several different ministries at church.   We’re both helping to lead the Small Group Leaders, along with some other things.   And, as I volunteer with Kid Ridge (Children’s church) I’m sure we’ll have an exciting time this weekend as it is the official promotion for all of the kids.   I know they’ll be excited to finally be moving up to the next grade level.

We’ve had many conversations with kids over the summer.   So many want to know why we are waiting so long to do the promotion.   I’ve had to tell them “I have NO idea!”   Let’s just say, I’m hoping I can influence the leadership to do the promotion earlier next year.

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I can hardly believe Granny has been gone over a year.     I’ve surprised myself at how much I still cry because I miss her so.

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A few nights ago the boys helped me to make dinner. It wasn’t anything spectacular, just their favorite meal – pasta with meatballs, garlic bread, & salad.

Once the meatballs were finished cooking, I took the baking sheet out of the oven. As I start to transfer the meatballs to a paper towel lined plate. Woody, trying to help, asked me if I needed the batons.

After a few confused moments, some gesturing of how the “batons” worked, we finally figured out he meant to say “tongs.”    

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The same day, Tigger came in from outside and announced that he was leaking.

After a few laughs, we knew he meant “sweating.”

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Shortly after the death of director John Hughes, I was flipping channels and came across one of my all-time favorite teen-flicks “Sixteen Candles.”

I realized after watching, that the 16-year-old girl in me is still waiting for Jake.

Sure I’ve been happily married for years, but still.   What a dream it would be if Jake would show up with his hands in his pockets of his Levis while he leans against the side of his cool red Porsche.   He says all the right things, does all the right things.   But then again, it was a scripted movie – not real life.   I’m sure Jake wasn’t perfect in the management of his marriage, career and children.

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I’ve been catching up on reading blog posts in my Google Reader.   I think SOMEONE is trying to tell me something. First, I came across this article. Then, I read this post by Kristen. And of course, the links left in the comments here, and here .

As I read all of these, I felt very convicted.   And I’m trying really hard to be a “Yes Mom”, but good-NESS, it is HARD!

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My children are geniuses:

From the 7-year-old: “What’s that game you play with a hockey puck and two sticks?”

From the 5-year-old after eating pork tenderloin for dinner: “Mom, that chicken we h ad for dinner tasted a lot like pig.”

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In very exciting news, my baby – my FIRST baby, Alvin, celebrated his 12th birthday yesterday.   He is such a wonderful and cuddly dog.   He really is love with fur wrapped around him.   In honor of his birthday I made him one of his favorite things – mashed potatoes.

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I’m loving reading “Hero Tales” to the boys.   It is part of our Sonlight curriculum.   We tried to do it last year, but we just were not ready for it.   But, WOW! This year they are loving it and so am I!   Just this week we’ve learned about Martin Luther and William Tyndale.   I’ve heard these names for years and I had a vague idea of their importance in history.   But now, I actually KNOW why they are important figures in history, and even more wonderful than that, is that the boys now know who these people are AND why they are important.   Learning all around and loving it!

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AWANAs!!!   I’m not sure who is more excited about AWANAs starting again this weekend: the boys, me or Hubby.   Let’s all say a praise of thanksgiving for AWANA!!! Yippee!

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Hubby has made a couple of new friends.   They are really nice guys.   Kinda geeky, but really sweet.   Both of them are single.     And I’m pretty sure both of them would be happy to settle down if they could find Ms. Right.     But, the point in telling you this, is that a couple of months ago, one of the first times when they were over, I asked if they wanted to stay for Sunday dinner.   They both said “Yes!” pretty enthusiastically.   Then I remembered, “duh!” they are bachelors, and they probably don’t enjoy cooking for one.   So, we now have dinner guests almost every Sunday.   Some weeks, I’ll make something yummy, and some week’s I’m too tuckered out and we order pizza, but either way I think they enjoy sharing a dinner with the family.   I know our family enjoys their company.

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Lastly…     OH HENRY!

Several years ago, we had a friend who would make one of the most amazing desserts ever, and occasionally she would bring it to our small group meeting.   Well, we no longer travel in the same circles and I’ve been craving Sheryl’s yummy dessert.   I remembered that she called it an “Oh, Henry” bar – kinda like the old candy bar.   So I did some searching and found the recipe.   Oh, my merciful heavens.   It is absolutely wonderful.   I made a batch for the family – I think we polished of the 9 X 13 inch pan in about 12 minutes.   I made another batch for a church function and received rave reviews.

If you’d like to have one of the yummiest, easiest desserts ever – try this:

1 c. Karo syrup
1 c. sugar
1 c. peanut butter (crunchy or creamy)

7 c. Rice Krispies
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips

Over low heat, mix syrup and sugar. Bring to a slow boil and make sure sugar is dissolved.   Then carefully add peanut butter.   Mix well.

Add Rice Krispies and gently toss until all of the cereal is coated. Put in 9 x 13 inch greased pan and pat in firmly.

Melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips together at very low heat (or in microwave), stirring until smooth. Spread on bars immediately.

I placed the pan in the freezer for about 10-20 minutes after putting the chocolate mixture on top just to help them firm up more quickly.   Be careful if you leave them in too long, they’ll be very hard to cut into pieces.

Believe me, you’ll be saying “Oh! Henry!” after your first bite.

There are all sorts of quotes about making plans.

“The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry.” – Robert Burns

“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” – Woody Allen

“Where there is no vision (plan), the people perish,” – Proverbs 29:18

Now that I think about it, I am quite good at making plans.   It’s the following through on the action that seems to cause difficulty.   However, the plan I’ve created with this spreadsheet really does seem to work for me.   I’m not sure if it is because the work is broken down into manageable parts, or if it’s just the simple act of seeing it in writing – whatever it is – this is working for me.

Bible Study/Devotions:

I’ve been reading a great devotional called Patterns based on the fruit of the Spirit.   I have been reading a chapter a day, but I’m finding I need to study it more thoroughly.   I guess after I make it all the way through I’ll go back and linger on the chapters that require deeper study or more thought.   I might even try to get the whole family involved in this study – it’s really that good.

Must Do:

I’ve picked up a project that I dropped last year – scanning old family photos.   It has been fun to look through the pictures again.   I’m hoping I can get through a good portion of them this week.   I’ll send some to my Aunt, and I guess I’ll be looking for archival photo storage solutions for the remainder.

If you’re interested in looking at some of the scanned photos, feel free to look here.   The first 200 or so photos were scanned last year.   The last 150 or so were added over the past couple of days.

Zone:

This is working so well.   We had guests for dinner last week, and I loved that I didn’t have to rush around trying to clean the house for six hours before they arrived.

Train Them Up:

Another thing that is working well.   Putting the lesson plans on the weekly spreadsheet is helping us to stay on target.   LOVE THIS!   We’re getting so much done and we feel so productive at the end of the day! Yay!

I have a giant tub of big books that my mother gave me a couple of years ago.   I’ve had them stored in the closet because they are sort of awkward to hold and there is no way the boys could manage them without causing damage to the books.   I’m really wanting to get some closet space back so my goal is to read through all of them at least once before we return the books to my mother the next time we see her.   (Don’t worry, Dad.   They won’t be cluttering up the house. She told me she’s giving them to a friend.)

Meal Planning:

You may notice some menu items repeated from last week.   Last week we ended up having tons of leftovers, which is not a bad thing.   It’s just that leftovers always seem to throw me for a loop – either I plan for them and we end up not having them, or I don’t plan for them and we end up with a refrigerator full of them.

That sums up the plan for this week.   While we may not complete everything on the plan at least it gives us a direction to steer toward.   It also offers a sense of accomplishment when we can tell that some things were completed.   And I’m all for accomplishment!

We’ve been working on school stuff.   Some days are more fun than others.   But the days that Tigger works on his handwriting are quickly becoming my favorite.

Wanna know why?   I bet you can figure it out by looking at the images below.

It cracks me up to watch the acrobatics his tongue goes through.   No wonder he’s been sleeping so well!

Well, hi there.

I can’t believe my last post was nearly three weeks ago. On one hand it seems like yesterday, and on the other it seems like a lifetime ago. Funny how getting older changes your perception on time.

Wish I had a good excuse for not posting, but really it’s just the new “b-word”. Busy. It’s a word I’m really beginning to dislike. The word itself doesn’t deserve the blame, but it seems that someone needs to be the scapegoat. Why not blame the word, that way no one’s feelings get hurt.

We’ve been staying busy doing some fun summertime activities like lots of swimming and Vacation Bible School. I’ve been spending wasting time on FaceBook. But we have also been doing our school activities, too. Woody is on a 5-day school schedule, while Tigger is on a 3-day school schedule. We’re doing some general grade level workbooks over the summer to help figure out what areas the boy’s need help on. The books have been really helpful in showing which areas my children excel and which areas my children need to work on. As it turns out, both do great at Math, and both need to work on their Writing. Woody needs to work on composition and handwriting, while Tigger is just working on handwriting. I should probably go look in my homeschool closet because I’m sure I have tons of writing helps stored in there somewhere. Just a matter of locating the box I put them in!

In other news…
Many moons ago, I came across a meme that was essentially a Monday morning motivation/goal setting type thing. It listed goals for the week, the menu for the week, the devotion for the week, etc. I’ve re-worked the idea of the meme into a weekly spreadsheet because it really works for me. I’ve used it a couple of weeks now and there is something that makes my brain work when I see it in writing, even though I’m the one who is doing the writing! The results are proof! My house looks better. My kids’ schedule is better. We’re sticking to a menu plan and working on a family Bible verse. I like that I can look at the list and know what I need to do for the day. And the best reward is looking at the list at the end of the day and realizing I actually accomplished something.

Here’s a screen shot of the plan for this week:

As you can tell, we have another busy week planned. I really am hoping I can make some more time to sit down and write a blog post or two. I find that I am really missing this outlet. While FaceBook is fun, it just isn’t the same as my little home here on the web.

I’ll see you soon!