4th Quarter - Whatever It Takes

We're in the home stretch of completetion of baby's second year on planet earth. On Sunday Rosa Jane turned 21 months which leads us to the fourth quarter of the year.

We got our four fingers raised over our heads and we're chanting "Whatever it Takes."

Sure it's a throwback to our days of small town football, but it applies here, too.

Meanwhile, here's a kiss from Miss Rosa Jane straight to you!





The Kiss from Rosa Jane from obkb2000 and Vimeo.

Love Thy Neighbor As Yourself

Thursday our neighbor whom I barely knew knocked on my door with a problem. She beseeched me to keep her 13 year old daughter for the weekend as her other "plans" fell through and she had to leave town on "business."

I said, "sure." Anything to help a person in distress.

Friday brought drama and lies began to unravel. A sad girl who needed her mom, but her mom wasn't listening and didn't want to help. What's a well intentioned stranger to do?

Today, I get guilty flowers and an apology from the neighbor and avoided eye contact. I get the impression that I'm no longer able to have a relationship with the daughter, though it has not be said outright.

I am sad for the neighbor's kid, but I guess the only thing that I can do is pray and try to be available?

It's truly heartbreaking that stupid people get to be parents, too. It's the kids that suffer the most.

My Sister Loves Me Very Much

The Pixie is coming to visit the Peanut et al in July. We can't wait!!!

This is What I Get

After an hour of playing at the jumping palace, Rosa Jane threw herself on the ground just plain exhausted. She screamed all the way home. Of course I felt terrible, but there was really nothing I could to do to soothe her.

Except for that brief moment when I sang "The babies on the bus go wah, wah, wah" softly and she started to sing along. Especially to the following verse, "The mommas on the bus go shh, shh, shh."

She loves that part.

She blew bubbles in the bathtub for the first time last night. I can't wait to get her back into the swimming pool to try out her new skillz.

girlfriends

our friend kate has grown a couple of inches since the last time we saw her. it's amazing how fast these kids grow. we had fun at the pool today playing motor boat, motor boat go so slow. motor boat go so fast. motor boat, motor boat step on the gas!!

click on the picture to see more.

last night's sunset

A thunderstorm rolled into town about 6 o'clock and after the downpour left a real nice sunset with rainbow for us all to enjoy. It was a nice ending to a good day.

I finally feel like myself again.

The peanut continues to amaze me with her retention for remembering things. We drive by the city pool on our way home and she always says, "hi, pool!" or "bye, pool!" whichever the coming or going may be. On our kitchen table we have these Texas Bluebonnet coasters. This morning over breakfast, the peanut says, "Texis! Moomonnets!" Which everyone in these parts understands for Texas Bluebonnets. We taught her what those were some two months ago and haven't said anything to her since about them.

Our thoughts are with the Thompson family outside of Liberty. Their 2.5 year old recently choked on a grape and passed on from this life. My own woes have been put in their place beside this tragic news.

And on a note of cherish the ones you're with, happy friday, y'all!

reese and mo'reese (maurice)

Just because it's funny to have a dog whose name is so similar to dad's.
I have a funny video of mo'reese lickering up reese, but it's on my momma's camera.

Mighty Frightening!

Friday we left hot Austin for even hotter Richland. We arrived around 8, just before the scariest thunderstorm hit, or at least what felt like the scariest storm from the inners of a doublewide trailer. We couldn't believe Rosa Jane slept through the entire storm. Seriously folks, it sounded like bolts of lightening were striking all around us. I remembered that guy from Caddy Shack who was struck by lightening some 99 times. What a character!

The power came back on about 12 hours later. Just before we truly melted in place.

Last time we were in Richland at Easter there was no hot water. This time there was no AC or ice cream. Hmm, one can only wonder what will be missing next time. The good news is we all got a little exercise on the new paddle boat. Too bad steering is such an issue.

The highlight of the trip? When Hank jumped into the tank thinking me and the kids were setting sail from him forever. In all his life he has proven to not be a water dog, but this time he swam like an otter and kept trying to get aboard the boat. No, thanks, Hank. No wet dogs on board. He was gasping and gurgling. Brett, Rosa Jane and I were laughing like crazy. Don was just plain annoyed from the shoreline.

We've entered a new era of chatting with Rosa Jane. I can no longer understand what she is saying as she seems to make up her own language.

Happy 4th Birthday, Stupid Dog

Okay, so I mostly love this dog and have for a good 4 years now. But last night when he woke me up to go outside at 4am and only have me find cold poop on the carpet next to the door (he never has that kind of accident, sure we'll come home to find the trash strewn across the living room or as the case was yesterday 1/2 box of Fruit Leathers devoured), I wasn't so happy with him. Not to mention he took forever outside because there is some varmit that hides out under our front porch at night. You've seen that obsessed look Hanky gets. Well, it was no different at 4 a.m.

So Happy Stinking Birthday, dog. May you live to see another one despite your attraction to foods that may kill you --raisins and chocolate.

Sorry the party has been cancelled. The dog is grounded until further notice.

Hot Fun in the Country

What have you been doing? We've been outside playing in the water sprinkler and dining with friends out at the boat dock. Good times, but dang if the 100 degree weather isn't already here!

Stay cool, y'all!