Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Celebrating the Best Husband EVER!

J and I are not perfect. We married way too young without the Grace of the sacrament. It was minister that made us legally wed. We wanted to make it right so we talked with a priest and had the marriage blessed. Where does that leave us 22 years later? Often confused about when to celebrate our day. Which day? We must use the legal date because that is what is legally recorded. Was our marriage only blessed after the date or does God Bless the entire thing???? I don't know. Often in Houston with the NEVER ENDING HEAT, I don't care if we celebrate at all. Both dates are in the hot months.
Then the other day I realized that the next day was the anniversary of the blessing. No gift planned for J. We did not have dinner plans.  I was not even sure if we should even bring it up after all these years. The next morning the doorbell rang with this beautiful delicious bouquet of chocolate covered strawberries.
God has blessed me with a wonderful man. Even when things don't make sense to me, he knows how to put them in their place. This form of celebrating was not huge it was simple. It was something that I love and something we could share with all the kiddos.
Theologically I don't know what date is the date! What I do know is that I got very lucky and I would do it again in a heart beat. I love you J.

Princess turns 9






Princess's birthday was a very simple day as it was 108 outside.  We did enjoy a cake and added one for Jumba because Pooker as around to sing with us.   Hopefully we can toast the kiddos at a dinner soon.  For now Happy b-day Princess.  We love you bunches and bunches.  She really is becoming a beautiful young woman with a very fast wit. 

Back to School pool party

Mr. Tobias decided that once again we needed to party at the pool.   He and J wanted us to go back to school in style.  The day before most people went back they planned a party.  8-21-11 We ate so well, as the two of them BBQed.  YUMMY!


















Sunday, August 28, 2011

August Gifts

Someone is always having a birthday in our house.  At least that is the way that if feels.  We live so far from family that the mail also provides opportunities to celebrate.  Grand parents and God parents often send birthday related gifts .

Everyone likes to gather around to check out the gifts as they are being opened. 

This batch was from Nanny and Gramps for Jumba and Princess.  Fun was had by all.

Nuns in the Neighborhood

Good news for all Catholics living in my area.
A Catholic high school is in the process of being built.  I don't know that it is a place that I would ever send my children but I do support it any way possible.  Anything that can help produce well formed solid educated Catholics is good for the community. 
 One of the really cool things about this new endeavor is that the sisters have been asked to run the school.  They showed up a few days back to start the many processes of opening a competitive high school.  They must create curriculum apply for approval and all kinds of fun things.  We were very happy to learn that the  sisters that are joining us are the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia from Nashville, Tenn. 
 The high school is a while off still.  It has been named and drawn but money is still being collected.

The sisters do not yet have an official convent in the area.  That all comes with the progress of the high school.  For now they are here and needed to rent a home that would work as their convent.  They found one in my neighborhood.  What does that mean?  Not much except that in the evenings we get to see these beautiful woman of God walking the neighborhood in their full habits. 

The part that I like the best is that they have created a small chapel in the home.  Our Lord is present physically just around the corner.  I love that!  We drive by their home several times a day, even though it isn't on the main drag.  We like to just say , "Hi!"  Welcome to neighborhood sisters.

Twilight Swim

Now the sun in going down and the pools are open a little after dark.  There is something that is a little different about swimming in a pool that is lit with lamps.  The temps are still so hot that it doesn't make sense to swim in the heat of the day.  I only hope that my life guards can hold out through these very very very hot days.






Nothing like a later night swim to beat the heat!

A surprise Dinner

It was the end of the summer session, Pooker gave us a call.  She said that it was L last night of his summer job.  Her class had been canceled and she wanted us to go with her to visit L.  Time with our college student is so rare that we jumped at the chance.  The drive to the restaurant provided for ample time for conversation.

He did a great job.  The food was all yummy but time with Pooker was special.  The school year always starts way too soon.  Next time I only hope to get a picture of Pooker as well.

Updated hot weather

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

OH MY GOODNESS


REALLY??????
As I pointed out a week ago the heat is just never ending.  I can't take much more of it.  (Not that I have other options.)  Maybe we will try to "bake" cookies in the car again this weekend.  We will start school on Monday.  If we get ready in time we are planning a little beach time for Friday. 



I have been told the God probably doesn't care about the little details like the heat.  I think he does.  Please let the heat wave end, let the high pressure system that has been sitting over the southern part of Texas for 6 months to finally move on, let us get some cooler temps and lots of rain.

CRAP AN UPDATE CAME IN -


Saturday, August 20, 2011

J's Cool cousin

This is J's beautiful cousin, Tricia and her boyfriend. 

J's cousins has just joined the Peace Corps.  She is headed to Panama and is preparing for an adventuresome two years.  She decided to share her stories with everyone in her new blog.  If you are in the homeschooling world you might enjoy the adventure so I thought I would share.  Tricia's New Blog:  Potties in Panama

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Too Much Heat

I can't even go out to swim.  It is just too dang hot.  I remember a few weeks back when the entire country was complaining.  At the time I was thinking, "it is about time they feel what we have been dealing with for two months already."  Fast forward to the middle of August and the rest of the country has had relief.  Not the Houston area.  Dallas is still hot but they have had a little rain on and off.  Is it wrong to ask for a hurricane to hit to change the forecast before we die of boredom? 
I am blessed to have great kids that seam to enjoy life no matter what.  I used to be that way.  This heat has driven it out of me.  I know complain, complain, complain is all I do.  I am sorry. 

I hope that these very very very high temps will break soon.  It is hard on everything when it doesn't even cool off after dark.  I keep praying for a miracle.  I want to move north so much.  J doesn't have the desire or push that I do to get to a cooler climate.  I hope he will at least follow me when I decide enough is enough.  Until then I will be hidden inside my air conditioned home. 
One more week of life guarding and then the local public schools start up, this will shut down the pools during the days and leave my kiddos out of work.  I hope that we can take the first week to play a little, maybe a museum or two.  The last week of the month we will start the school year.  It will be an intense year with lots of work. 

I am confidant that they are up to it.  With these temps I should look for a job myself to cover the cost of our electric bills.  Wow, I hope this doesn't last too much longer.  Well the next 7 days don't look promising . . .

No rain in the forecast and temps over 100, fun times.  I can't even begin to think about the "feels like" temp.  I know that this isn't the first heat wave and drought to hit this area.  I just hope and pray that it is my last summer in this extreme Texas heat.  I guess I should go buy a lotto ticket so I can make my dreams come true and buy a nice resort some where north (or to at least to be able to pay the electric).

Thank you dear heavenly Father, for all the blessing that you have given to me.  We are all so thankful that J has a job and makes enough money for me have time to dream of cooler places while keeping cool in the pool or in the air conditioning.  We thank you for the health of all our children.  We thank you for their love and their wonderful outlooks on life.  Please help me to be a better mother to them, to be a good teacher this school year and to be a loving wife that doesn't hold her weather woes against her husband. 

Your loving (but warm) servant,

Neen. 

PS if you could send some rain our way that would be wonderful!