The Parade Passes By

I had the pleasure of taking my almost two year old granddaughter, Finley, to the Chuys Parade today.  It  was a great time.  Just Finley and I went as the boys were hunting and Luci met a friend in San Marcus with baby Carter.  We were able to get up close at the front of the parade and Finley loved it.  Kirk and I have been to this parade many times as our girls were in it for many years when they cheered for Cheer Station.  It is a great parade, but there is nothing as wonderful as seeing it through your grandchild's eyes.  She loved the big balloons and called them "Bloons."   She also was very independent and wanted to stand next to this other little girl she met.  There is a wonderful time in the parade when every float stops and the kids all run out and fill up the trucks with toys they have brought for children less fortunate as themselves.  Well, Bella had bought a "Candy Land" game but forgot it and this sweet mom gave Finley one of her daughters toys, so Finley would have a toy to give.  It was a moment that brought a big smile to my face.  Here are the parade pics from today:

Miss Independent- she did not want to stay in her stroller

The Giant Shrimp "Bloon"

Santa of course!

Waiting for the next float.

Zilker Blessings

What a great weekend!  Austin is an awesome place to live with children and grandchildren.  We went to the "jewel of the city," Zilker Park.  We played on the hill, hiked on the trails, played on the playground, and rode the train.  We all had a great time.  Carter was the awesome baby he is and napped the whole time in the car while Jeremy read his book.  Zilker park is special to Kirk and myself as we met there 31 years ago.  We were both students at UT and his dorm and my dorm had a "mixer" at Barton Springs at Zilker Park.  It was love at first sight for me- you know jean cut offs were the "in thing" in 1979 and Kirk looked so good.  He tells me that after our first date, he realized I was the best thing that ever happened in his life and well you know the rest is history and they lived happily ever after. 

We met on the hill across the water.

The Zilker Zepher Train- Finley Loved It.

Beautiful Finley at Beautiful Zilker on a Beautiful Day

Finley playing with mom and Bella

Exploring with Uncle Connor

Thanksgiving Treasures

Thanksgiving was an awesome time at the Smith house in Austin.  Kirk and I had all our children home and couldn't be happier.  My parents came from Dallas and my sister's family came from there as well.  All in all we had 17 people including a toddler, an infant and one on the way.  We also had three dogs.  It is the one time of year we all get together and enjoy family, food, and football ( although it was not a good day for the Cowboys or Longhorns).  Everyone cooks:  Travis fried the turkey,  I did the ham and dressing,  Brooke did the apple pie, Luci did the green bean casserole and caramel pecan pie, Ellen and Gabe made the potatoes and rice, and Abbey made the salad.  Momses and Papa did the dishes with Kirk.  Anya ( my niece) entertained Finley. Connor and Michael ( my nephew) played video games.  Connor also helped me out anytime I asked him.  Jeremy entertained his children and Connor.   It is the one time of year we all work together as a family.  I am so thankful for this beautiful family God has blessed me with.  Here are some treasures from the day:

My brother in law Gabe loving on the dogs.

Finley playing with her daddy.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Two tables this year.  Kirk and I sat here as well.

The Keeper of the Memories

For years I have been into scrap booking. That is a hobby  where you take all your pictures and create these beautiful books for your family to enjoy for years to come. I have friends that scrapbook, cousins that scrapbook, and a sister and niece who scrap book.  I have found the task of scrap booking daunting at times given my limited creativity and lack of patience in finishing a project. Although over the last year it has started to come together for me.  I have started to attend scrap book weekends with my  friend Dana.  This is a weekend where you scrap book the entire weekend at a bed and breakfast setting.  There are tables set out for you with cropping tools available.  They also have a cook that comes in and prepares your food.  There is also a large screen TV to watch "chick flicks" on and you can "crop" all night.  What else could a busy school administrator, grandmother, and mom need to unwind and relax.  Most importantly I get to catch up with my friend Dana.  We have been friends for 26 years now. She has four children as well and is my "travel agent."  Even though she is a smart engineer, she is excellent at planning trips and Kirk and I have been to Hawaii, Alaska, and many cruises with her and her family.  I also have met some really nice ladies that I scrap with.  I have given this gift to myself twice a year and appreciate the love and support from Kirk in running the home front.  My boss is pretty nice too about letting me have a day off every now and then.  What I am finding out is, I enjoy this time to renew and refresh so much.  I really also enjoy making things for people and am finding that I am pretty creative and able to put a memory book together that my family will enjoy for years to come.  Well, if not I enjoyed making it!  I love the creative memories slogan " you are the keeper of your family memories."

Here is the scrapbook room at the "Creative Cottage" in McKinney, Texas

This is my friend Dana cropping away and new friend Tryna in the background.

Thank God for Sunday Mornings

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

This has always been my favorite verse as I heard it each Sunday at the closing of the service as part of the blessing. What does this really mean.  In times of turmoil in my life it means God would always be there with peace to help me through and He was and is always there.  In quieter times in life, it means to me I should listen to His peace to be closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  So this morning as I was sitting with my granddaughter, watching her eat breakfast and Sesame Street, I was thinking about that peace which passes all understanding and so happy to be in the middle of it.  In my busy daily life, I know I do not take the time to sit and listen to that peace.  I know when I do, life seems so much richer, fuller, and joyful and I am more centered.  Oh, we will begin our Sunday with Church, exercise, grocery store, cooking, laundry, and preparing for the week in an hour or so.  But for right now I am just going to enjoy the Peace of God!  

Kirk and Connor finding Peace in their own ways this Sunday morning

Finley eating her cereal as she does when at Bella's house!

Bella's Blessings Halloween

This one is for Finley- she like seeing herself in these little Animotos!  Check it out.  They are easy to do and lots of fun!


Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Holiday Madness!

Well its that time again when all six kids, grandkids, and extended family have to figure out how we can all be together over the holidays.  There is no doubt- everyone wants to see everybody, but how to do it all as your kids get older and have their own lives and commitments is the question with no easy answers.  I am finding as I get older, I feel such anxiety over this.  Just ask my kids... I am fearful if I don't plan it - it will not happen.  As my mother and father's generation begins to pass on to heaven- it is something I think about often.  So instead of driving my kids crazy- I am going to try to relax and let this go.  I know in the end it will all work out and everyone will get together when they can.  There is just so much more to focus on this year.  Brooke graduates December 4th, Finley's 2nd birthday is being celebrated December 11th,and Brooke's baby shower is December 18th.  Wow- We have a busy December without even counting the holidays.  So my wish for all  you my friends is to enjoy each day you have with your family.  Today, Brooke and I went to Olive Garden and had a great time talking about her baby coming in March and I talked about my two other grandbabies.  Take the time to visit with your kids - it is the greatest gift you can give them.  I think I'll go call my mom and dad!

Here are some pictures of my parents and myself.




My mom and me at Luci's baby shower in May 2010.  Many people say we look  like each other.



This is a recent picture in October 2010 of my parents and myself.  I was just beginning the low carb diet then.