little map dots

my family is so scattered out right now I feel like I need a little control room with a map on the wall to plot out the whereabouts of everyone throughout the day. I am the "control center"(this is a job i've been given because of my love for the phone-dad thinks it's a way of paying him back for all those exorbitant phone bills-he can just call me and know that I know what is going on with each one of us at any given time. i do owe him that)-and let me tell you-it's stressful trying to keep up with everyone! For my sanity-I'd prefer that everyone sat inside their house with a helmet on. seriously. This worrying is no good! I can't wait till we are all under one roof. Those were truly the days! anyways-had to show you all my little Sophia! She is delectable! I love all the kids I keep-but Sophie makes me want a baby. BAD. She's just still in that snuggly stage that is sooo heavenly!

mortification

you know the people that come puttering up to the stop light or the ones that putter around the parking lot? their cars sound like off the track trains? yes, i always get embarassed for those people simply because I know they are embarassed that their cars are making such heinous noises. well now I'm the one in the puttering car drivers seat. it is mortifying. i pull up to a stop light and people just stare and look awkwardly over at me.( i recognize this because I do it also) So-will my car ever be the same? i knew it should have been completely totaled out. who knows-they swear nothing is wrong with it...it should be "just like new" ha. that's a laugh. When I told Haley that...her response was, "well, did they drive it?" Now that should give you some indication of the heinousness of this noise. And if that doesn't do it-today Mark Kate told me to make my car quit "shaking." ugh. the volvo never gave me these kind of problems. at least when it was out of whack-it had the decency not to start at all. mortifying. I can't wait to take it to Memphis and have someone reputable look at it. Until then-if you are in Austin-no, your car is not the one making noise-look beside you...it's mine. rattle rattle.

perhaps I need the scout?

destined to be friends...

Like I needed another reason to love Anna Joy. Is she not just the cutest? My face looked like this too-but it's much cuter on her than it was on me. UNFAIR!! I'm just glad I found someone who loves icing like I do!! Oh the joys of a job where you eat icing and sprinkles for lunch then retire to the couch for a daily fix of curious george!!

sorry sorry sorry

for the lack of updates lately. my life seems(IS) a bit crazy at the moment. so sorry not only for the lack of blog updates-but for the lack of phone calls as well. I've become Dallas incommunicado status! I do apologize...and I am super pumped that I am only 3 weeks away from a much needed month and a half off! that will be major catch up time-and jammer time for those of you in the 901. but what has been up? well-school keeps me busy as do my kiddos...and by that I mean all my favorite little friends. MK and I go on location to most of the Austin playscapes every Wednesday. We've pretty much plotted out who has the best slide,monkey bars, swings, and chicken nuggets. All of which are very important parts of daily life. Some life lessons we learned this week...we are grateful for ANY toy that may come in our Happy Meal. No, I am not the nanny nor will I be the mother or grandmother who goes to the counter and pitches a fit because my son or daughter did not get the toy they wanted. It is a McDonalds toy for crying out loud. If you feel as though you have to use your clout to talk condescendingly to the people who work there, then I suggest or rather insist that you haul your kid to Ruth Chris and then pitch a fit FOR THEM when their steak is not cooked half medium rare/half well done(just like you brattily taught them to order). PEOPLE. For crying out loud. There is much more to get upset about in this world than not getting the specific bug toy that you want. After all-these things keep kids entertained for about 5 minutes. And the fit you are pitching will lead to a lifetime of unhappiness for them. This coming from a girl who completely skipped over Happy Meals. Forget those. Bring on the Double quarter pounder with cheese combo. And biggie size it. But if you insist on getting the kid the measly happy meal-then teach them to be happy with the measly toy. You all know the moms i'm referring to. It is MADDENING! Even MK was appalled at the fit that this certain mother was embarassingly(for her and everyone watching her) pitching the other day in McDonalds. Mk was just happy to have the nuggets for crying out loud. the toy was a 5 minute afterthought. Sorry for the rant-but that just really fired me up. People are teaching their kids bratty behavior and that if they complain enough, are threatening enough, and rude enough that eventually they will get what their hearts desire. I in NO way blame brattiness on kids. Adults make them that way and I'm determined no kid I nanny or mother will be so ungrateful. Any kid I auntie you ask?Well, My favorite little sweets, Wheaton-...he can have whatever he wants. he deserves it. he's the best. and if we have to go to mcdonalds at the Roma Termini to get the toy he wants...i'll be on the next plane.