Pile On!

It doesn't get much better than this. Susie and I were curled up in my favorite resting spot. I think Luke got a little jealous because he decided to climb (this is his favorite activity) up on top of us to make sure that he is still mom's favorite. Of course, I didn't mind having everyone pile on!

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We All Scream for Ice Cream!

Sherry and Cecil love to go to estate sales on the weekends. Their newest find is a homemade ice cream machine. Last weekend, Luke reaped the benefits of Nana and Pops' new gadget. He is getting pretty good at using his spoon. It is good to have an incentive like ice cream to practice with.

And the Race Begins...

The first day of school for the 08/09 school year is Monday. Even though I worked off and on throughout the summer, I still feel like I just got beat up after coming home from work today. I am starting to get into my routine. I feel like it is groundhog day each morning.

5:30 Alarm goes off. I hit snooze for 15 minutes, never have been a morning person.

5:45 finally get up, start the shower

5:47 move to the kitchen, make coffee, put Luke's waffle in the toaster (if I put it in a ziploc while it is hot, it gets soggy) and put Luke's milk in the mic.

5:55 if Luke is up, change him, give him milk, put him in bed with daddy. He whines for 5 seconds, then realizes the Wiggles are on.

By 7 AM we are out the door and on our way to "school."

By 7:30 or 7:45 I am at work.

Work and feel like I am in a whirling tornado or revolving door, but also have a sense of accomplishment at being able to solve all of the complicated problems that come across my desk. Few people know that school counselors jobs are not cushy.

4:30 leave work wondering if the rest of the administration thinks I should be staying til 5 like them. But, then realize that I don't care because I start thinking about kissing Luke while he geeks out, smiles ear to ear, and says, "mama."

5pm arrive home, run in the door and grab Luke, ask Chip how his day went, and read the mail while sitting on the floor with Luke

5:30, Chip or I start dinner, eat, talk about our days (this is the good part)

6-7 Luke is usually dragging Susie, our boxer, around by the collar, playing fetch with her, or running around laughing his head off. (this is the really good part)

Hey, after writing this, I am realizing what a lucky lady I am. Crazy how getting dragged down by the mundane keeps you from seeing how beautiful your life really is. Guess this blogging is good therapy. :-)

Campbell Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Pedigree chart - Roots

Munchkins' Melodies

Luke has been taking Kindermusik classes at Munchkins' Melodies here in Bossier. This week was "bring a friend" week. So, my friend Karamie and her son Travis accompanied us to class. Luke's favorite thing to do is get all of the various props and instruments out and put them back. Against my discouragement, he tries to take everyone else's from them to put them back. Then, he lifts up the basket full of props and hands it to the teacher. Papaw said Luke is just kissing up. Ha! It really is so fun to see him learn new directions each week, improve his coordination, and most of all have fun.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

Chip's birthday was on Monday, August 4. We had Cecil and Sherry over for dinner and I made Chip a mound of sugar free chocolate cookies. These are on the diabetic menu, so I went crazy and made 4 batches and topped them with candles. He requested birthday hats and horns. Chip said he wanted these for Luke, but we all know they were really for daddy's pleasure.

Family in Illinois

Finally I am posting the rest of the pictures from our trip to Illinois in July. Grandma Hannaman and I made my favorite rhubarb pie. She is 91, so it is amazing that she can still make a pie. I got to help quite a bit. I think I can actually make it on my own now. I think she was more excited about making the pie than I was. It is a part of her independence that she still keeps. I felt like a kid again too. Grandma always made rhubarb pie for me on my birthday or whenever I requested it. It is a strange taste for some. But for me, the sweet and tangy taste combined with Grandma's flaky crust is the best.

Uncle Gary had a cook out at his house for our homecoming. Last year we had the same family picture taken under this tree. Hopefully this will be a tradition so we can see how much the kids have grown from year to year. Dad is handsome as ever, and fit as ever. He golfs every day and I am so glad that he can still do this considering his debilitating arthritis.

Proud Papaw and Luke.

Love you Grandma Janie

Aunt Susan and Bill came down to visit my cousin Kristin and her husband (Chip's friend), Dean. They played golf about every day in this terrible heat. I wish I could love a sport that much. We all went out to dinner at Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro at the Boardwalk. I let loose and even participated in some Karaoke afterward. Aunt Susan always seems to bring out the fun in me. She has a laugh that is contagious. While visiting at our house, you can see that Bill gravitated toward Luke, as he does all children. This little moment is one that would bring me to my knees if I let myself think about it too long. Luke is looking at a picture of "Grandma Janie." He just leaned down and kissed it and I was lucky enough to capture it on camera. I tell him about her on a regular basis, and can only hope that I can illustrate what a perfect example of a mother she was to me through my love for him. Surely he can feel her spirit as I can. On a lighter note, below these pictures you can see that Luke has taken to riding Susie like a "horsie." Susie, being the diva that she is, takes it with a scowl on her face. Deep inside though, I think she really likes the attention.

Backyard Pool Time

My friend Karamie and her little boy, Travis came over to play in our backyard. We have been trying to get the boys together for some time now, but you know how it is, busy busy. Karamie and I used to sit in our apartments in Dallas wondering if we would ever get married or have kids. She introduced me to Chip, found her own guy "back home" here in Bossier. Now, we both have boys the same age. Glad we finally had time to get the little guys together. After coming home from Gulf Shores, we just made our own little beach in the back yard. After Luke not feeling well in Alabama, it was so good to see him playing well with Travis. They really did have a ball together.