I'm back!

below: Aron hunting eggs in our yard, right: Aron and Emma Grace at our church egg hunt


Rudy holding new cousin Tate, Me with Mom and Tia Paula before the Opry, Aron and I on Easter Sunday

Hello! So, I got out of the blogging groove for about 2 weeks, but I have a plethera (love that word!) of reasons why I have neglected to post.


My mother and aunt came in for Easter for almost an entire week and in preparation for their visit, we did lots of landscaping and spring cleaning projects. That is when it all went wrong.....

1. While cleaning the upstairs bathroom, I noticed that the floor was damp and that the linoleum tiles were loose around the base of the toilet....not good. This led to call number one to the home warranty company.

2. The next day, I was out in the yard working on the flower beds. I went into the utility room to find a hammer (for steaking down weed blocker) and heard water running. Funny. I didn't remember installing a water feature in the utility room. Hmm....OH! It's the hot water heater. And it is overflowing from the top. Hmm...pretty sure it is not supposed to do that. Call number two. Thank GOD for home warranties.

3. Due to the above issues, I had no hot water. I had to BOIL water on the stove to do dishes. You can imagine how this slowed me down in my Spring Cleaning efforts. As I am sure you can imagine how pretty I looked and smelled having worked in the yard, cleaning house and no shower. (we did get a new water heater on Tuesday afternoon and I got a shower during naptime. Heaven!)

4. My aunt flew in Tuesday evening from San Antonio. Mom was to fly in the same evening from Dallas. Anyone see the news last week about the weather and almost all flights out of DFW being cancelled? Drama.

5. Mom got here Wed. She took our room, my Tia took the guestroom and Rudy and I took the air mattress. That being said, we had a wonderful time, but hostess duties and mommy duties and Easter Bunny duties took over my life.

OK. Does this explain my absense? (ANGEL!) To make it up to you, I am posting fun pictures of all our good times. Aron was spoiled rotten by Mammaw and Tia Paula. Easter went on for days at our house! What a blessing to share this joyful holiday with family! We even had a special visit from Rudy's cousin Gloria whom I had not seen since about 1999?!?! Her new baby, Tate a.k.a. Tater is sitting in Rudy's lap in that center picture. Cutie pie!

We had a great time on Saturday night with our ladies night out to the Grande Ole Opry. (Flea- I thought of you when Loretta Lynn started in on 'How Great Thou Art!)

Enjoy these photos while I sit on my porch enjoying watching my boy play, listening to the birds sing and taking in the result of all my hard work in the yard.

Cha-Cha-Cha!

This was Aron a few nights ago. He had decided to go into my closet and come out wearing some of my shoes. He loves the groans and eye-rolling this evokes from Daddy and my chuckling and snapping photos doesn't discourage him either. He pranced around the living room and into the kitchen like some crazy version of James Brown doing a flamenco dance!

Children are really a blessing and a gift from above. And sometimes they are just flat out entertaining!

Snow much fun!

I am slowly coming to terms with the fact that we live in a colder climate than we ever have before. Now, it's not the midwest or the north, by a long shot, but I got used to the 80 degree weather in March in Texas and then we moved to Vegas where it came as early as February and I'd be working on my tan by now! Warm weather makes me happy. I know it will get here soon enough and I'll be fanning myself and looking for shade at the park with Aron....
But SNOW? IN MARCH? Oh, allright! If we must. At least we got a good 3 or 4 inches here at the house! We had a blast pelting eachother with snowballs and building a snowman that I forgot to photograph, who was about 4 feet tall this time! Aron's favorite stunt was to run and fall down face first in the snow. He had Rudy and I cracking up the whole time.
We made the most of it out there for over an hour and even took time to throw a few snowballs in the creek as you can see from the short video I took with my camera. Kids + snow = fun!

FBF4

Having been battling the flu all week and watching the hints of spring fade away as we expect snow again tonight, I decided to flashback to a happier time! A springtime back in 1998 when Rudy and I were planning our wedding. We had engagement photos taken on a beautiful spring day in Austin at the Zilker Botanical Gardens. We were so young and happy. And neither of us had the flu! (And look! Rudy with hair!)

(Psst!)

Did you hear that?

(Psst!)

That! Did you hear it?

It's springtime and it's sneaking around, teasing me! Today it left these gorgeous and oh-so-fragrant daffodils in my yard!

I didn't know that daffodils smelled so good, did you? They are heavenly! Now, normally I would not go plucking the very first spring flowers from their happy little home next to the creek, but since we are expected to have a thunderstorms with high winds late tonight, I decided to go ahead and save them from being beaten and torn by the elements.

Besides, they look so sunny in my kitchen and fresh cut flowers make me feel so fancy!

FBF3

My Boys

I heard adults say it while I was growing up and I would guess that the phrase is repeated millions of times everyday: "they grow up so fast". Here are Rudy and Aron (around 8 months old) during a hike on Mt. Charleston in Nevada. We used to love to go up to the Mountains and escape the heat in the Valley. I wish we could drive 45 minutes to escape the cold these days!

I have said it before and I don't mean to brag. Aron is SUCH a good traveler. He likes to GO! We are actually in Louisville right now, tagging along on Daddy's business trip. I don't hesitate for a second to pack him up and put him in the car for the 3 hour drive. I wonder what this means about who my baby will be. Is God shaping him for a career invoving travel? Maybe he will experience multiple moves in his life (as he has already). Maybe a missionary? I am content to have him as my little boy, but prayerful and excited about who he is to become for God!

OH, and wasn't he such a cute baby?!?!?!?!?!?

Snow Day Fun

Aron and Jackson

Morgan and Keegan, too

My bigger, but not much better, snowman!

It really cracks me up what kind of weather leads to a snow-day around here. I just know people up in Montana are rolling their eyes at us! But, I guess the canceling school is more about the ice on the roads than the 1/8 inch of snow on the ground that is almost melted now at 11:15am. That being said, the snow-day brought Aron and I lots of friends to play with and we had a blast out in the yard. Aron chased Morgan and Keegan around with snowballs and Jackson followed me around asking "why?" in regards to everything I did. When I asked, "Do you guys want to make a snowman?" I thought their positive replies and enthusiasm meant they'd help. I thought wrong. I rolled those snowballs all by my lonesome and only had company toward the end, when most of the work had been done. It takes a long time to make a basketball sized ball of snow when there isn't much on the ground to begin with. But, I persevered. I'll say it was for the kids, but I secretly just wanted to out-do my last one.

A great film!

So we finally joined the "club" and started doing Netflix. It is really easy and they send the movies super quick! So far, I am loving it.
The other day, Amazing Grace had arrived in my mailbox. I had heard a few things about it and seen the DVD and soundtrack for sale at Lifeway, so I added it to my queqe. Rudy and I watched it last night and it was, for lack of a better word, amazing. I think it really spoke to me because of the bible study we are in right now. Learning about doing what God has planned through your life for His glory, and learning how to heed that call really opened my eyes to what William Wilberforce went through in his life and career. And I learned a few things about world history and how God works in every age and time.
If you are looking for a good movie, here it is! (Plus, you'll learn where the song Amazing Grace came from!)

FBF2

Welcome to the 2nd edition of Los Leals Flashback Friday! These shots have me fighting back little tears. Happy ones at the memories of our family vacation to the beaches of Mexico almost 2 years ago, and sad ones at the sight of my little baby boy who is a baby no more. He was right at 18 months old when we took this trip. Aron was and is an amazing traveler. He was always happy to go wherever we took him. So we said, "Vamanos!" to Mexico. I can still hear him asking to go to the beach, "Da Bee, Mama? Da Bee?"

I love the first one with his toothy grin. He had really figured out what "cheese" meant. And the second one will always be dear to me. Look at that little neck. Those tiny shoulders. That gorgeous tan skin of his! And that hair we never thought he'd have. Ok....Kleenex! I need Kleenex!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, if it has to be cold.....

Top to Bottom: the view from my front door this morning, Aron snacking on snow, my pathetic attempt at a snowman

You know, coming back from Texas this week was hard. Of course, it's home and we have family there and all that. But this time, it was the WEATHER that had me looking at my boarding pass and wondering if we really had to leave. It was sunny and 75 degrees in San Antonio. There were cyclamen and snapdragons blooming in the pots along the downtown streets and above the river. It was like May!
Well, we are not so lucky here in Tennessee. It is cold. Of course, I think anything below 60 is cold, so I'm not likely to be happy until May. Last night we had a cold front that came in, dragging an icy mess with it. But this morning: snow! It isn't much, but it is pretty and if it has to be cold, it is nice to have the white stuff for entertainment.
All Aron wanted to do was eat it. I told him he needed to quit eating the snow. He said, "But I'm hungry." I attempted to make a little snow man for him. And by little, I mean miniscule. He might be 10 inches tall. I placed my coffee mug next to him for scale. I think he's pretty cute, despite being horizontally challenged.
Hope that whatever your weather is, you are making the best of it. We're sure gonna try!

Star Trip 08

Here's Aron enjoying what Westin refers to as the "Heavenly Bed"!

Casey, Aron and I ....and the "light saver" Casey bought him.

Rudy and I at the big party!

Jason's deli's annual meeting and awards dinner is referred to as the Star Trip. I haven't been able to attend one since Aron was born, so it was a real treat for me to go along this year! The festivities were held in downtown San Antonio and it was a great time.

We were able to spend a little time down on the riverwalk and enjoyed gorgeous 75 degree weather and real Mexican food! (Sigh) One of Aron's favorite parts of traveling is the hotel room. He is so funny about it. He walks in and looks around. When we checked into our room on Friday he emphatically announced, " (Gasp) we have a new hotel!" Well, I like the Westin, too, son, but don't get used to it!

My dear friend Casey helped us out big-time by keeping Aron for us while we attended the scheduled events. Aron had a blast with her in the evenings, riding the riverboats, going out to dinner and somehow conning her into buying toys and trinkets! He told me just yesterday, " Mommy, I weely miss Casey." I bet, buddy! But it really is so wonderful to have him bond with someone I love and trust!

I Voted. Did you?

Today was the day to vote in the Primary Election here in Tennessee. I wasn't sure how I would swing getting to the polls with Rudy working all day. Then my beautiful and thoughtful friend Kelley called! We met at the poll and I sat in her van with the kids while she voted, then she sat with them while I voted! Thanks, Kelley! You rock! HEY, lets start a movement for November called "Mom the Vote" and get more moms to the polls! If your state has a Primary, please find out when it is and vote!

FBF1

Welcome to my first Flashback Friday! I figured I'd go waaaaaaaayyyyyy back. Well, about 12 years, anyway. I don't have the guts or the money for therapy to go all the way back to High School or anything.

Well, here we are. A young Rudy and Lori at the very beginning. I believe this picture was taken in the late summer/early fall of 1996. Remember those mall photo booths? Not like the digital ones they have now. You had to sit there and wait for it to print and dry. This brings back so many memories of Austin! Rudy is wearing his Spaghetti Wearhouse Oxford and I am wearing the long-sleved denim shirt that was part of my Canyon Cafe uniform. Ah, the full-service restaurant days.

It was young love. I wasn't even 21 in this picture! We had just started dating that July and would be engaged by November. We had no idea what the future held for us. It's been a long, bumpy road between then and now, but we are happier and wiser for it all. I am so blessed to have been partnered with such a wonderful person. God has brought us to a good place and I cannot imagine life any other way!

Read. This. Book.

Oh, wow. Wow, wow, wow! I just finished this book. If you haven't read it, get it! I would let you borrow it, but I am taking it to my mom next week for her to read. So many friends have told me to read it and when I told them I had finally bought it several of them gasped and told me again I would love it. They were right. It is amazing and so well written. I would recommend it to anyone anywhere. Francine Rivers has a beautiful gift and I was really moved this story!

Stow Away

Just look at him! Look at those lips! I wish you could hear the deep breathing that went along with this. So peaceful. So sweet. SO on my PILLOW! Aron has a habbit of sneaking downstairs and into our bed in the wee hours. This really doesn't bother me. He is warm and a very quiet sleeper. (he has yet to inherit Daddy's snoring) What bothers me is that he takes over my pillow. My special-memory-foam-neck-support-makes-me-sleep-like-a-baby pillow! You might think that I should be able to reclaim my pillow from this 33lb boy in his striped footie pj's, but he is surprisingly strong and persistent and it is futile to move him over. He comes right back like a super magnetic boomerang! I usually just hang on to that last hour or so of sleep and then get up for coffee. I look back at him and my frustration over the theft of my pillow melts away. I remember the times before Aron, the ache for a child and the hole in my heart that God has seen fit to fill with this little person. I'd give him the whole bed and sleep on the floor if he asked.

31 Questions, an interview with me.

I know, you are so excited! I stole this idea from my new-never-met-her-blog acquaintance dyln. She said to do just that and I am easily influenced, so here you are: 31 tid-bits about me you should or shouldn't know about. I found this easier and more fun than doing menu-plan Monday. (sorry Rachael...maybe next Monday)

1. If your doctor told you TODAY that you were pregnant, what would you say?
Hallelujah!

2. When was the last time you flew in a plane? Our trip home for Christmas. Getting back on one next Wednesday...

3. What did the last text message you sent say?"are you in class?" (to my sister who is a teacher)

4. What features do you find most attractive in the opposite sex? consideration, wisdom, manners

5. What is a goal you would like to accomplish in the near future? I really want to exercise more, but the gym is too expensive and it is toooooooo cold outside!

6. Shoe size? 10

7. Been to Mexico? I'd be there still if I could. We honeymooned in Playa del Carmen and went back with Aron almost 2 years ago. I love the Yucatan!

8. When is the last time you had a massage? A couple of months ago. A sweet friend gave me a gift certificate after watching her son for a morning. I figure I got the better end of that deal, but if anyone else would like me to watch their child in exchange for a spa treatment, call me. I am SURE we can work something out!

9. What was the last TV show you watched? From beginning to end? Does Diego count?

10. What are your plans for the weekend? Rudy is traveling to Louisville on Friday for work and I think Aron and I are going to tag along for fun. We'll do some exploring and maybe a little shopping while daddy works. Then we'll head home on Saturday afternoon. Sunday is church and we'll probably make some yummy things in the kitchen and watch the big game.

11. If your significant other asked you to marry them TODAY what would you say? "Again?" (we've already been married twice!)

12. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
Some plastic bags I need to recycle, a tote full of emergency kiddo stuff (pull-ups, first-aid kit, etc) and my Enterprise roadside kit.

13. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? I was lying in bed tickling Aron. I slept in with a head-cold and he came down and climbed in bet with me.

14. If you could marry any celebrity today who would it be? Sorry, I am already taken.

15. Have you ever been to a strip club? Not sure this is the time or place to talk about such things!

16. What is the best ice cream flavor? Mmmmm, Blue Bell's Peaches and Homemade Vanilla.

17. What is the last sporting event you watched? I watched the end of the Greenbay-NY game and was so sad for Brett....Yep, I am a football fan, but still a girl!

18. Ever go camping? It has been a while. We actually took Aron that last summer in Vegas. He had a blast in the tent and it made for some beautiful memories. Can't wait to do more as he gets older.

19. Last phone call? I just got off the phone with Casey. Can't wait to see her next week!

20. Are you allergic to anything? Apparently everything that blooms in Tennessee....

21. What is one thing you have learned about life recently? That my life is not my own, and for that I am so grateful!

22. What do you do at work? Well, today I had a meeting with Aron about why we tell mommy before we pee in our pants, put him in the bathtub while I cleaned the carpet, mopped the kitchen floors and did the dishes, started a load of laundry, prepared lunch and took out some time to share it all with the world!

23. What is your mom's name? Peggy (and it isn't short for anything)

24. Ever cried for no reason? Well, sort of, I was pregnant....and I guess that was the cause, if not the reason.

25. Can you do the Crank Dat dance? The what-what?

26. What is your favorite color to wear? Black. It is slenderizing and elegant whether it is a t-shirt, sweater, pant, dress. I love it!

27. What is the longest plane ride you have ever been on? Oh, gosh! We lived in Japan back in the 80's (military dad) and when we moved we flew from TX to CA to AK to Japan. That last leg was a doozie, especially to a kid in the 2nd grade!

28. What is the longest road trip you have ever taken? The drive from Nevada to TN when we moved! Whatever the mileage was, double it, cause my son was 2 at the time!

29. What are your turn-offs? complaining, inflexibility....potty training

30. What was your last alcoholic beverage? A glass of wine

31. What are you craving right now? a Tylenol sinus and a fountain diet coke (just keeping it honest)

I just DON'T get it.

At least that is what Aron says. We were cruising through Home Depot yesterday morning and Aron said, "Mommy, you just don't get it." I tried not to spit my coffee out and asked, "What?" He said it again, giggling this time. It was a game from then on. He must have said it 30 times and I varried my responses: "I don't?", "Yes I do!", "Don't get what?" , "Nope. I sure don't".
I was very amused and kept wondering where he got this phrase from.
On the way home, I GOT IT! The Veggietales Silly Songs CD was in the player and right at the end of "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" Mr. Lunt tells Larry the Cucumber, "You just DON'T get it." Everybody now: "And we've never been to Boston in the Fall!".

Lets think...we were made to do THAT, too!

When I heard about this film, I just about stood and applauded. Which would have been silly as I was folding laundry on the couch, alone. But the point is, I think it is a great thing and cannot wait to see it!
Now, hear me out: I believe that God created us. His perfect design has purpose and it works. Now, of course there are times that things go wrong and I am so thankful that God has placed my life in an era when medical help is everywhere. But, I believe that pregnancy and birth were part of his plan for us as women. A normal, healthy pregnancy is not a "condition" or a "disease" to be treated. It is a beautiful, natural process that we go through.
I think we have all heard the idea of a 'second opinion' when it comes to almost any health issue. But, if you have ever had a baby, you might find that there are very few varying opinions out there. It is our job to educate ourselves on any health issue we face. So I encourage anyone out there who is having a child or considering it to check this out. I sure wish I had done a little more educating before my experience.

www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com

If you want even more info check out this book: The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer

My new sink!

Out with the old....

...and IN with the NEW!
I tell you what, nothing gets this girl excited like updated kitchen fixtures! Our old sink started to leak last week, and as you can imagine by looking at the first picture, I was all too eager to tell it "bye-bye"! ( No one should have to live with a 6 inch sink anyway!) We bought the sink and fauctet at Home Depot and actuall installed it ourselves! Which was so gratifying and really not that difficult. BUT, when you put in a deeper sink, you have to account for that with the plumbing below....hmmm....problem. Rudy has been busy with the opening of the new deli and working more hours than I want to talk about. SO, we have a new handyman. His name is Brian and he is awesome. I would be happy to refer any of my TN friends to him any time. Brian saved the day and now my new sink not only looks great, it WORKS great, too!

Girl-time....well, almost!

Casey, Aron and I

Aron being coy with Steph

Decisions, decisions!

At the end of our Texas tour, Aron and I spent the weekend with Casey in Houston. We hadn't seen Casey in over a year and it was wonderful to spend time with her! My friend Stephanie joined us for lots of hanging out, girl-talk and shopping. Aron fit right in!

He was able to do all kinds of little boy things like try on shoes, eat at La Madeline, help mommy find a dress. He shopped for jewelry and purses with Stephanie while I tried dresses on.

Too bad we didn't have time for make-overs and pedicures!

Oh, Boy X3

Now that my sister (and soon my mother, as well) is in East Texas, visiting both sides of the family will be a breeze! Rudy's family lives just an hour away in Bryan!

Here is Aron with his cousin Sammy (center) and second cousin Fidel (left). Their birthdays are (left to right) 11/15, 12/28, and 11/17. 2004 was the year of the boy for Rudy's side of the family!

A little Christmas in Texas!

We flew home to Texas on Christmas Eve and drove to my sister's. She and her husband live "out in the country". Seriously. The closest Wal-mart is 30 minutes away! I am not sure how they survive, but apparently they do, and they enjoy it, too! We really had a fantastic time riding horses and exploring their acreage. Everybody should have a Christmas like this!

TJ lets Aron "help" lead Rooster

Uncle TJ helps Aron up onto Rooster

Happy in the saddle

Yes, even I rode! Roscoe was the sweetest horse...maybe sometime I'll tell you about how I fell off. Maybe not.

A little Christmas in Tennessee

Opening gifts at home

Santa brought a bike!

Oh, happy day!

That Santa is so accomodating! Did you know he will come early to work around your travel plans? He was able to fit us in during Aron's nap on the 23rd! Thanks, big guy!

He's SO three!

I should stop blogging and write a book just about the things Aron says. Of course, I think I'd only have to make about 10 copies: 5 for me, 3 for my family and maybe 2 more for me. But that is not the point. He is just saying the funniest stuff right now! Case in point:

I took him to his 3-yr check up with his pediatrician, Dr. White the other day. He was an absolute angel while the doctor was in the room. He answered her questions, was articulate and sweet and flirty, to boot. (big sigh of relief from me) He leaned his head to the side while she checked his ears, let her look in his mouth and see his teeth. I was floored. And proud. And floored! Normally, he is exerting his newfound stubbornness and pushing every button I was made with.

He even took his flu mist like a champ and didn't let so much as a tear drop when they pricked his finger for an iron test!

She praised him and was so sweet to him and told him she'd see him next year when he was four.

Dr. White left the room and I got down on the floor with him to help him with his shoes. I told him, "You did such a great job, bud." He smiled and looked off into space. Then he said, "Mommy, I'm so three."

Yes he is.

Christmas Cards

My friend Rachael posted a picture of how she displays her cards and asked others to share how they do it, too. She's so much fun, that Rachael! So, here's mine. It's not so original, but I love how I can see them as I pass from one room to the other and I must go in and out of the kitchen about 999 times each day! If you haven't mailed me a Christmas card yet, get to it! I have plenty of room for more!

Also, let me close by quoting my funny friend Rachael: "And if you don't have a blog, then join the cool kids and get one!"

Mammaw. Better than Santa!

Here's Aron* and Mammaw. (my mother)

Mammaw brings presents! (like a v-smile pocket gaming system)

We go fun places when Mammaw is here...like Opryland!

And Aron likes to show off for Mammaw. (*like refsuing to look at Daddy when he is trying to take our picture, causing Mommy to have to tickle him to even get a smile)

Mom was here for a week, which meant lots of laughs, treats and special things. It all added up to a great visit full of new memories!

Red-handed...or Green finger'd!

Look at him go!

See the fingers in his mouth?

Is there a hot-line for addictions like this? You can litterally see the tracks in the incing bowl where he has scooped it out over and over!

Ah, the Sugar Buzz!

I honestly lost count of how many times we told Aron to stop eating the icing with his fingers! Our buddies Morgan and Keegen were over last week and we baked dozens of sugar and gingerbread cut-outs. Aron was not as into icing the cookies as he was his tongue! Rudy had to take him off his stool in the kitchen and into the other room to talk to him about the tummy ache he was headed for, but it was a futile fight. He climbed back up and started over again. The icing seemed to control him! So we all sighed, slapped icing on the rest of the cookies and hurried to the car to go and look at Christmas lights to keep Aron from becoming a diabetic in one sitting! SHEESH!

A little something silly!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1140223155