Interims

I love to visit other churches and rarely get a chance to.While visiting my family here in Texas, I have had the pleasure of being a part of two different churches.
Last weekend we went to Cowboy Church with my sister and brother in law and that was a new experience for us. It was great to see a group of people with a similar lifestyle and interest using that commonality to create a worship experience that attracts other people who do and love the same thing. They bring the horses and all and rope and ride together on Sundays and sometimes throughout the week.
And today we visited my Mom's church, First Baptist Church of Buffalo, Texas. They have an interim pastor, an interim youth pastor and an interim music director. Symptoms of a small town, I suppose.
The pastor gave a very impassioned message that reminded me of our church at home. He talked about outreach and the purpose of the church. That as church members our focus should be outward, not inward. The whole "It's not about you" message. Sound familiar, my TPCSH friends? I love that God is God no matter where I go and that he speaks to all of his people everywhere.
And you know I have to include a bit about the kid: The sweet children's ministry welcomed Aron into their group with wide-open arms. There were maybe 9 children there. I walked him back to the Sunday School room expecting that I would have to talk him into staying. But, he walked right in and he didn't even look back when I said, "Have fun, buddy!"
After service, Mom and I walked back to retrieve him. He was so excited to show me his papers and inform me that his teacher let him use the scissors. (I know he made a point of telling me this because I WON'T let him use the scissors, but I chose to ignore the comment) Then, as we left the building and braved the wind to find Mom's car he exclaimed, "..and Mommy, today in my class, no-one hit me!"

Thankful.

I have about 6 minutes left of this Thanksgiving Day to post this, not that anyone will read it by then, but I'll feel better having made it under the wire. What a busy day of cooking and visiting and eating and lounging....hope your's was good, too. Here's my list of things I am thankful for as I reflect back on this Thanksgiving:

1. My Husband...he's such a wonderful man and the best father I could ask for to Aron.
2. My son...he makes my insides smile.
3. My family, they make me feel at home.
4. The tiny baby growing in my sister's belly who will make me a biological aunt for the first time!
5. My best friend...whom I am watching experience something she has waited a long time for and who is sharing the joy of it with me.
6. Creation...something about being out here in the country, maybe the quiet, maybe the breezes, surely the sunsets are reminding me whose hand it was that made all of this.
7. My football team! They won and we rock! Hook 'Em!
8. Laughter. We shared so much of it today.
9. Community...what that truly means and that I have been blessed to have learned to be a part of one.
10. The love and grace, forgivness and peace, and the hope that Christ has given me, without which life would be unbearable.

Because I care....

...about the children. Please take the time to watch this. And pass it on.

It's the least we can do...for the children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6ylxWcwkUM

He's 4!

...and he's the joy of our lives!

Happy Birthday, big guy!

Love, Mommy & Daddy

Conversations from the Carseats

This is Aron with is friend Trinity. Also known as Max and Ruby. They are an absolute riot together. Trinity and Aron were both born in Las Vegas just two days apart. Isn't it funny how her mom and I were both having babies in Vegas, but didn't know eachother, then 3 years later God brings us together in Tennessee and we become instant friends? Anyway, these kids play great together, but butt heads like any two kids turning four tomorrow and this Monday would.

The funniest thing in the world is to get these two in the car together and just listen to the conversations going on in the backseat. As Trinity's grandmother says, they argue like an old married couple. Here's what I had the pleasure of hearing today on our way home from the library:

(the kids spotted some inflateable Christmas decor out the window)

Trinity: I'm gonna call that snowman Frosty.

Aron: Well, I'm gonna call him Mike!

after a minute or two....

Trinity: Aron, what do you want for Christmas, Aron?

Aron: I just want my Mommy and she just wants me.

(so, maybe I've been singing a little Mariah Carey around the house)

Trinity: Are you jokin' me?

Aron: Ugh!

Trinity: Whatever, Aron.

But they really do love eachother.

A thousand words...

4 year check up...and theology

Aron will turn 4 on November 17th and we have not been (or needed to be!) to his doctor since he turned 3! I scheduled his 4 year check up a few weeks early so that we could have it out of the way before we travel home to Texas later this month.
When I let him know a few days ago that he'd be going to the doctor and he was really excited about it. He wanted to know all about what they would do and if he'd get a toy. I told him we'd have to see.
So, today at 2pm we were there for our appointment and I have to say that I really do love his doctor. She is so patient and intenetional with him. She looks him right in the eyes and listens to everything he has to say. I sat there beaming with pride, completely aware of the ear-to-ear mom-grin I was wearing. I couldn't help it! He played tic-tac-toe with her on the paper sheet, spelled his name for her and told her he likes to eat broccoli! That's my boy!
Dr. White is really good about talking to kids about things like safety, stranger danger, and even about who it is OK and not OK to let see or touch certain things. I think this is wonderful and it has prompted some good questions from Aron.
After checking his eyes, ears, nose, etc. it was time to check what Doctor White referred to as "your private parts". Poor Aron looked so confused. We use correct anatomy terms in our house, but for the sake of clean blogging and those of you who might blush I'll refrain.
So here is the conversation I witnessed as I sat there:

Dr. White: OK, Aron. Now, I am going to check your private parts.
Aron: (blank face)
Dr. White: Now, It's only OK for me to check your private parts because who is here?
Aron: (pause.....and then his face lights up) GOD!
Dr. White: Yes, God is here, but who else?
Aron: Jesus!
Dr. White: Uh-huh, but who is here with us that makes it OK for you to pull your pants down? (pointing at me as I sit there trying not to laugh)
Aron: Mommy!

Whew! I wasn't sure if he was going to say, "The Holy Ghost" next or what!

Max and Ruby....

Ruby and Max.....

For those of you not familiar with the books by Rosemary Wells or the cartoon series based on them, meet Max and Ruby. Both the books and the show are a hoot! Max is a Dennis-the-Menace type character who is looked after by his big sister, Ruby. (I have often wondered where the parent bunnies are...)

When my friend Marcy suggested we dress our kids up as Max and Ruby this Halloween, I was all for it. Aron loves them and often walks around the house imitating Max.

We went shopping for the bunny basics: ears, tails, and paws. Then we found a dress for Trinity and I made a Dragon Shirt for Aron. I think they turned out pretty cute, don't you?

Yes, I did!

I went yesterday. Got my sticker and everything. Early voting rocks! Look up your county's voter registration info on-line and go do it!

Some people may not be decided yet, but for me it is less about the person and more about the issues. I don't care if he's cool or what color his tie is. I care about the values of the candidate. Their voting record and their morals.

There are some basic things that have to be black and white, in my opinion. Like life and death, for example.

I heard a speaker today say that "We live in a culture in which it is wrong to say that things are wrong. And that's wrong!" He's a pastor at a church in D.C. and I can only imagine how much he experiences this on a daily basis.

People don't like to say or hear that what someone else is doing is not OK. They think, "Well, that's not OK for me, but it is OK for them." Where in the world is this going to get us? Is this really what we want to teach our children? This grey, mushy, vague system of right and wrong?

Not me. I am not saying that there isn't room for grace and acceptance, because if there weren't, there would be no room for me. But, I am saying that I have to stand up for my beliefs. For the absolute truths that God has given us.

And that's why I voted.

Yep, I am back in the South!

When we moved to Tennessee I was excited to be back in "The South". There really is a big difference in the lifestyle on the West Coast and I really feel more at home here than I did in Vegas. Not that I didn't have a wonderful group of friends and a great church famliy there.

But, back to what I was saying. About the South. There are several things that let you know you are in "The South". Such as Sweet Tea. If you order iced tea in a restaurant here, you have to tell them if you want it unsweetened (and that's how I drink it) or you will get a beverage made of about 3/4 cups of tea and 1 cup of sugar! Also, people here know what grits are, God bless them. I just love grits. Another thing I notice here, and love, is that people put wreaths on their doors. And not just at Christmas time. There are wreaths for all seasons in Tennessee and I think it is just charming. And sweet. And, well, precious.

But the other day, I recieved in the mailbox what I am considering the ultimate proof, the undeniable evidence, the official certification that I am dwelling in The South. I pulled out an invitation to suscribe to THIS MAGAZINE:GARDEN & GUN
Really? There is such a publication, people. I am still contemplating my subscription. It'd be a fun conversation starter to have on the coffee table, no?

"isms" and the things kids say

My friend Lisa has a small quilt hanging in her house that her aunt made. On each square is a little saying or mis-speak that her daughter, Gabrial, would say when she was younger. I just loved this idea. When your little ones are learning to talk, there are so many funny things they will say, but eventually they grow out of them.

I have found myself saddened when Aron does this and I am determined not to forget the silly, funny and cute things he has said. They're his Aronisms! Like:

"Hooken Horns" - we're Texas fans and the phrase is "Hook 'Em", but it's too cute to correct.

"Monkey George" - AKA Curious George. Aron still calls him this and I find myself doing it, too.

"Tucky"- this is Kentucky. Rudy travels to Louisville alot and Aron says, "Daddy's in Tucky."

"Funball!"-or rather, fumble. We watch a little football in this house.

"Dot Com"- this is a new silly obsession of his. Anytime he hears about a web address he has to
fill me in. "Mommy, you can go to Toyota dot com!", he said the other day.

"Let's get this party started!"-my son actually yelled this while running through the sprinkler in our yard this Monday. (yes, I know it is October. We were watering the lawn and he got excited and it was one of those moments when we just decided to let him be a kid)

"Wass Begas"- or Las Vegas- he doesn't say this one anymore, but he used to start all kinds of conversations with the phrase, "Mommy, when I was a baby in Wass Begas..."

"Bee Cereal"- what he calls Honey Nut Cheerios. There's a bee on the box, so it makes sense to him.

"Eleventeen"-this number would be interjected randomly somewhere between 10 and 20 when counting. He just recently left this one behind.

"Ernie!"- Aron actually used to call himself Ernie. Like Ernie and Bert. This was a few years ago when we were still in Vegas. I would say, "What's your name?" and he would say "Ernie!" He actually argued with me if I tried to correct him. It was short-lived, but so funny!

I am sure there are many more funny, sweet, and silly things he'll say in the future. I can't wait!

A chorus

Last we attended First Wednesday at The People's Church in Franklin. It was a special night of worship and the praise team did a live recording for a worship album. Such fun to be a part of! I love worship services, where it's all praising and singing and tonight it went on for over an hour.
Most of the song were written by songwriters who attend our church, so many of them were new to us. One of them is resonating with me still, and the chorus goes like this:

I need no other argument

I need no other plea

It is enough that Jesus died

And that he died for me

Fall, Autumn, Indian Summer

Which ever name you use for it, I adore it. And now that God has moved us to Tennessee, we actually get to enjoy it. The colors, the smells, the baking....

Growing up in Texas we didn't really have Fall. It goes from Summer to Football Season to Cold. In Las Vegas it went from Hot to a Little Less Hot to Ok, This Is Better.

But we are just North enough now to see leaves change and feel a chill in the air and sleep with the windows open. Ahhh...

I am a little sad to see Summer go. I am protesting today by wearing a tanktop an flip-flops with my jeans, but I know I won't be able to do it for long. And I haven't drug the fall decorations from the attic just yet, either. I told myself I'd wait until October 1, so I guess I had better be ready tomorrow.

But it is all around us here. The air is cooler and there are corn mazes and pumpkin patches everywhere you turn.

We drove out to Arrington Vineyards on Sunday after church so that Rudy could buy a gift for one of his managers who was just promoted. They had the nicest Fall display out at the gate and luckily I had tossed my camera in the car.

Aron and I

My boys

Rudy and I....yes, ARON took this picture!

I want a puppy.

It has been a long time since I have been able to say that. After the passing of our last dog, Weasel, my heart couldn't bear the thought of inviting another dog into our lives. It was just too painful.

But lately, I've had the itch. We stopped by an adoption that was going on in Spring Hill and I wanted to take them all home. Then my friend Cissy and her family just got a new puppy and the itch turned into a poison ivy-like fever!

There is a lot to consider, and we don't take the idea of adopting a dog lightly. Adopting is what we will do, either from a shelter or a rescue. I used this random photo of puppies I found just for effect, but maybe a dog that is 1 or 2 years old would be better. I like muts, too. The uglier the better. But, I have to consider breed to a certain extent, since we have a child and the dog will be mostly indoors with us.

I have actually called on two postings from Craig's List (rescue/adoptions only....I am not going to BUY a dog when there are so many that are being given away), but both dogs were already gone. There are a ton more, but I am trying to be careful and take my time.

We have a big trip home to Texas planned around Thanksgiving, so I am considering waiting until after that trip to make the transition smoother for the dog. Maybe for Christmas? I wellcome your thoughts and suggestions.

Oh, boys!

Can't you just close your eyes and imagine the noise levels that went along with this photo?

On Sunday afternoon, we got home after an amazing day at church

and settled in for a lazy afternoon of watching football and relaxing. When we checked the TV schedule for that evening we noticed that the Sunday night game featured the Steelers and the Browns. Now, we have no ties to either team, but we immediately thought of our friends Tim and Cissy. They sometimes wear their Steeler's jersies to church. They are serious fans.

Rudy and I decided that we would call them up and invite them and their boys, Jackson and Sam, over to watch the game.

Aron adores their boys and they are so sweet and playful with him! Aron calls them "my guys". They even showed up with an extra jersey for him to wear!

The game was good. (the Steelers won) But watching these 3 boys wrestle and play and laugh was the best part of my weekend! God has blessed us with so many wonderful friends to share our life with and it makes my heart smile to see my little guy so happy with "his guys".

What I've Eaten

I borrowed this from Flea's blog. I thought it would be fun, since I consider myself a pretty adventurous eater and having lived overseas and all. But there were some things I had never heard of before! Let me know if you decide to try this, too. Maybe you can clue me in on a few of them!

Here are the Rules:
a. Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
b. Bold all the items you’ve eaten. (I made them red so you could see them)
c. Cross out or italicize any items that you would never consider eating



1. Venison -My BIL makes the best jerky, and deer chili and sausage are good...
2. Nettle tea - what?
3. Huevos rancheros -delicioso!
4. Steak tartare-I would, but haven't yet
5. Crocodile/alligator -yep, In NOLA once. Flea is right, it is more like pork than chicken
6. Black pudding-that doesn't sound appetizing
7. Cheese fondue -Love it!
8. Carp-I didn't think they were edible!
9. Borscht - haven't had the opportunity
10. baba ghanous- this is good stuff...try it next time you are having Mediterranean
11. Calamari - Fried or grilled with lots of fresh lemon...yummmmmmm
12. pho - Oh, yeah! This is Vietnamese soup and it is amazing
13. PB&J sandwich - well, duh! Although now I prefer Natural PB and Jelly from NC or TX
14. Aloo gobi - huh?
15. hot dog from a street cart - hope to try one in NYC or Chicago one day...for the experience
16. Epoisses - not sure but the word looks too much like Opossum
17. Black truffle-not yet
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes- well, my answer is yes if it has grapes, in addition to other fruit
19. Steamed pork buns- like buns or buns?
20. Pistachio ice cream - I din't care for it
21. Heirloom tomatoes - I love all tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries - we picked dew berries (black berries in TX) off the fence line as a kid.
23. Foie gras- no thanks!
24. Rice and beans - all kinds!
25. Brawn, or head cheese - that is just wrong!
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper - yeah, that's a Habanero and I'm not dumb!
27. Dulce de leche - yes
28. Oysters -" love, love, love them lightly breaded and fried, especially on a po boy. But raw? Why eat snot willingly?" I am stealing Flea's answer on this one
29. Baklava - yep, but I don't love it.
30. Bagna cauda - sounds like a graduation honor...like cum laude or something
31. Wasabi peas - spicy and crunchy snack!
32. Clam chowder - too stinky for me
33. Salted lassi - I don't like the sound of this one...
34. Sauerkraut - on bratwurst! MMMMMM!
35. Root beer float - yum-O!
36. Cognac with a fat cigar - a long time ago...I'll pass on the cigar next time
37. Clotted Cream Tea - I like my Tea sans clots
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O - is this like a jello-shot?
39. Gumbo - Yes, please!
40. Oxtail- want, too. I hear it is amazing
41. Curried goat - no.
42. Whole insect-No, only half. JUST KIDDING!
43. Phaal - no, but I want to try more Indian food. Tara, let's go!
44. Goat’s milk - no, but let me know when it's made into cheese!
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/€80/$120 or more - I'm too cheap, but if you're buyin'...
46. Fugu -NO! Isn't it possible to die from eating it? (pufferfish)
47. Chicken tikka masala- see number 43
48. Eel - yes, while having sushi. I will pass next time
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut - I don't do donuts anymore
50. Sea urchin- see 48
51. Prickly pear - Oh, prickly pear margaritas at Trudy's in Austin! Brings a tear to my eye...
52. Umeboshi - I know I had this when we were in Japan, but I am not big on pickled things
53. Abalone - Wikipedia calls this a "sea snail", so I won't be tryin' it!
54. Paneer- Wikipedia calls this "cheese", SO I WILL be tryin's it! Soon.
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal - Yes, but I don't want to talk about it.
56. Spaetzle - bless you.
57. Dirty gin martini - I thought I was hot-snot one time on a date with Rudy and ordered one of these at a jazz bar. I had no business drinking that and it about kicked me off my chair!
58. Beer - yep
59. Poutine - http://www.answers.com/topic/poutine, look at that! It is a heart attack! NO!
60. Carob chips - fake chocolate. Yucky
61. S’mores - Only when outside. Microwaving is cheating. Yes, I am a s'more purist.
62. Sweetbread -In Tejas they call this Pan Dulce. No, thanks. I have my own stomach lining!
63. Kaolin - Ok, I tried to search this, but I came up with clay. no.
64. Currywurst- that sounds awful
65. Durian- Seen it on TV. I am not big on stinky food.
66. Frogs’ legs - once, I was a kid and my Mom ordered them somewhere.
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears, and funnel cake -not sure what the ears are, but I like the rest!
68. Haggis - wishing I hadn't searched this one...ew!
69. Fried plantain - SO good!
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette- ugh
71. Gazpacho-yes, please
72. Caviar and blini - I'll stick with chicken eggs, thanks
73. Louche absinthe - no desire
74. Gjetost, or brunost- who?
75. Roadkill - come on!
76. Baijiu - no thanks
77. Hostess Fruit Pie - a long, long time ago.
78. Snail - OK, have you seen Elf? That part when he is picking the chewed gum from under the subway railing and chewing it. Well, do that instead! It's the same thing.
79. Lapsang souchong - Well, thank goodness for the internet. Now that I know what it is I might try it.
80. Bellini - yes!
81. Tom yum- no, but I'd try it
82. Eggs Benedict -mmmmm!
83. Pocky - Ate these as a kid in Japan. Look it up!
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant - What do tires have to do with this?
85. Kobe beef - Call me if you are cookin' up some and I'll head right over!
86. Hare - I don't think I could eat a bunny...unless I had to.
87. Goulash - sounds gooey
88. Flowers - Squash blossoms are so good!
89. Horse - mean!
90. Criollo chocolate -if I get the chance
91. Spam -never again
92. Soft shell crab - mmmmmmmmmm ...
93. Rose harissa- never heard of her
94. Catfish - there are much better fish...but I will eat it fried!
95. Mole poblano - sign me up
96. Bagel and lox - OK
97. Lobster Thermidor - I don't think that was his name
98. Polenta - yum!
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee - gotta get some! love coffee!
100. Snake - actually, yes. I had it in a soup in Japan. Not bad.

Could you repeat that?

Kids say the darndest things. And sometimes they are just too funny not to share with others. THIS is one of those times:

I took Aron to McDonald's with some friends today to have lunch and play. The Happy Meal toys right now are from Star Wars The Clone Wars. While the movie is a little too intense for kids his age, Aron does know what Star Wars is and loves anything that has anything to do with it. Today, his particular Happy Meal contained a bobble-head version of the character General Grievous. He had a hard time pronouncing that one and asked me repeatedly what his name was. Then he would repeat the name, to be sure he got it.

When we got home, he was playing with General Grievous and told me, "Mommy, I can't wait to show Daddy Genital Grievous."

Me: "What's he called, Aron?"

Aron: "Genital Grievous."

Me "Gen-errrr-al Grievous."

Aron: "Yeah, Genital Grievous."

I just chuckled and asked him to say it one more time. Then, I took his picture and knew I had blog material!

7 Things Meme

My blog-friend Flea has tagged me for a meme and this appeals to me today...much more than uploading the photos of the refusing-to-turn-red-tomatoes in my garden. Thanks Flea!
SO, here goes:

7 things I plan to do before I die (Ok, I am gonna say WANT to do, cause me and "PLAN" don't always go together)
1) learn to play the guitar
2) see Europe (at least Rome)
3) remodel my kitchen
4) learn to surf
5) drive across the US
6) teach
7) have another baby

7 things I can do
1) cook
2) speak spanish
3) change a tire
4) sing
5) host parties---love it!
6) make people laugh
7) paint (as in rooms)

7 things I cannot do
1) a pull up (not to save my life!)
2) flips - like those girls on the US Gymnastic Team...man, oh man!
3) pass up a good deal
4) Play piano
5) resist pinching Aron's buns when he is "neked"
6) ignore bad customer service
7) get my kid to eat a tomato

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex (changing this one to 'my spouse')
1) real faith in God
2) a finely tuned derriere (I'll second that, Flea!)
3) a sense of who he is and what he wants to accomplish
4) his great, child-like laugh
5) when he washes dishes
6) his concern and love for me
7) his concern and love for our son

7 things I say most often
1) Aron
2) Babe (said to spouse mentioned above)
3) Seriously? (thanks to my pal, Kelley)
4) Hello!
5) Put your shoes on, please.
6) Put your shoes on, please.
7) Put your shoes on right now!

7 celebrity crushes (just for fun, OK?!)
1) Orlando Bloom (I love Elizabethtown)
2) Mark Wahlberg (the ONLY time I don't mind a Boston accent)
3) Hugh Jackman (Wolverine.)
4) Brad Paisley (he sings scarcastic love songs...perfect for me!)
5) Harrison Ford (back in the Star Wars/Indy days---pre Calista)
6) Robert Duvall (especially his character in Lonesome Dove when he says, "Lori, Darlin")
7) Will Smith (he's such a good dad!)

7 people who need to do this
1) Kelley
2) Angel
3) Stephanie
4) Rachael
5) Julie (she's brand new to bloggin')
6) ?
7) ?

Shamless

So, I entered this contest on Flea's Blog and I need your votes and I am shameless enough to ask for them and provide the link to enable you to do so. She has this other blog called Formica Fields, where she posts the hilarious adventures of Fred and Bessie, her salt-and-pepper -haker-cows. Anywho, I entered a photo-naming contest, so click on the link and vote for me! Pretty Please.
"Sweetz formica-utie pie" is my entry, by the way. I thought it was a clever nod to the formica fields blog.

Overdue Anniversary Post

OK. Finally I feel caught up enough to sit and blog. So, without further adieu, please enjoy this Leal's 10th Anniversary themed photo fest:

Our engagement photo.

This was taken at the botanical gardens in Austin and I have posted it before in FBF4.

Here's my bridal portrait. I had a great time that day. It was like a full dress rehearsal for the wedding.

Here I am with my girls: (l to r) Sue, Stephanie, Me, my sister Cristi (back), Katie (front), and Cathy. Katie was a girl in the 2nd grade Sunday School I taught. I adored her and we needed a Jr. Bridesmaid to stand with Rudy's younger brother. It worked out great. My friends Sue and Jessica MADE her dress and that is a whole other story...one best told over margaritas.

The kiss! Sealin' the deal, baby!

Awwwwww.....

Had to include a honeymoon photo. We went to Playa del Carmen, Mexico and it was Rudy's first plane trip! We had a great time scuba diving, sight seeing and baking in the sun. I cannot believe it was 10 years ago! Hope you had as much fun seeing these as I did reminiscing today.