Sisters, sorority sisters, that's made Delta Zeta made us!

Today, sixteen years later....thanks to Facebook....Laurie, Wendy, and I met for lunch ! What a blast! It was so good to visit and try to "catch up!" Wendy was my very closest friend from 9th grade on....and I met Laurie when all three of us pledged Delta Zeta back in the fall of 1984 at UTA! Wendy and Laurie were "Little Sisters" to Sigma Phi Epsilon and Wendy's big brother (who I constantly told her...you need to introduce me to him...) was MIKE! Needless to say, she finally did introduce me to him and well, the rest is 20+ years in marriage history! Laurie was once married to a Sig Ep, too, and we often got together...way back then! Mike will never forget being down in Houston visiting Mike, Laurie, and Kelsey, (Bryce wasn't even born yet)...we went out to Papasitos for dinner...Mike goes to the bar (um...you're surprised right???) and witnesses one of the greatest moments in World Series History....Kirk Gibson's homerun against the A's!

Wendy and Laurie...thanks for being persistent! I had such a great time catching up today! You both look amazing....and are as fun to be around as you were then! God has blessed me abundantly with great friends! I look forward to doing again soon!

How Sweet it is....

...to be in COLT COUNTRY!!

Arlington vs. Trinity

8pm 11/29

Let's go Colts!

Thanksgiving

Thanks for…

Kimmy Ann - her empathy, support, determination, sarcasm, cleanliness, strength, vulnerability, passion for teaching, love for her friends and her boys.

Tod – his clearheadedness, “old soul”, focus on school, goal-setting, comfortableness in his own skin, love for his mom and care for his brothers.

Craig – his compassion, faith, sense of humor, servants heart, adaptability and care for younger siblings and friends.

Cole – his energy, joie de vivre, love for sports, never-met-a-stranger attitude and joyful spirit.

Reed – his smile-y disposition, love for learning, snuggleness, devotion to his brothers and great hugs.

Mom & Dad – their faith, balance, music, guidance, inspiration and example.

Siblings – their joy, sarcasm, family values, friendship, support and memories.

Friends – David, Stan, and Jeff. Three men that are shining examples of Christian living. Men that set the bar so high that I will spend my entire life trying to reach it. And will be happy to even get close. Their love for family, community and God is truly inspiring to me. I love you guys.

I am thankful for Kim’s family and the fun we have. I am thankful for my job, that I enjoy it and am able to grow in it, for our family’s health, for having nephews, nieces and Lauren (next best thing to a daughter), for UCLA weekends, for coaching soccer and baseball and basketball, for 20 years of marriage, for my sons teachers and how they help develop our boys, for a God that gave His Son for us, for the Eucharist, for quiet nights reading a book after everyone is asleep, for a life that is truly blessed. I am thankful that we take the time to appreciate what really matters in our lives. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

PERFECT!

GPA 4.0

That is correct! Tod finised his first quarter of college with straight A's! I'm so excited I can hardly type!!

Tod, tears are rolling down my cheeks as I post this! I can not begin to effectively express in words how proud your Dad and I are!

What an incredible start!

Dental school or medical school...here he comes!

Our little Indian!

Our little Indian, Cole

Xavier, Cole, and Andreas

Finally, mom could attend an event!!

Mrs. Wunderlick's First Grade!

Cole and Mrs. Wunderlick

Today the first grade at Mary Immaculate Catholic School celebrated the First Thanksgiving. One class dressed as Pilgrims and two of the first grade classes came as Indians! Finally I was able to attend an event at my children's school! I got to paint the faces of 1B which was a blast! After we got the kiddos ready we headed to the cafeteria for a Thanksgiving Feast with the Pilgrims! We all had a great time!

Toots!

Photo by: Aunt Krissy

Our nephew, Colin, or as we affectionately call him "Toots!"

He is such a sweet little angel in this picture! We are begging my brother, Brad, and his wife, Dawn, to start a blog. Mainly because you could catch the FUNNIEST kid stories around! Like, Dawn getting up a 2am to some clatter in the kitchen...only to find Ethan (Colin's partner in crime and younger brother) literally standing on the bar tossing donuts to the dog! Yes, he climbed up the bar stools, got into the cabinet...and thought the dog needed a treat. It was topped the next night...climbed again the bar stools...and then proceeded to climb the cabinets (once open) to the ridiculous ones that are so high up that only an adult on a ladder could reach...to find the spices. He not only decorate the kitchen, but his hair and entire body with paprika!!!! At 3am of course! Everyday there is something funny going on at their house! They could win on America's Funniest Home Videos!

My Shining Star

I was scrolling through some pictures this morning and happened upon these two which struck a wave of emotion for me. These pictures are a year or so old and were taken at Cedar Creek Lake where we have spent many of days hanging out with our great friends the McCarvers. We haven't been down there since, and truly miss going...life just gets so busy and our weekends are filled with so many games, practices, etc. We hope and pray everyday that the lakehouse does not sell so we can make it down to hang out time and time again this coming spring and summer!

But the real reason for the emotion was the grip that Reed has on Mike, and the gentle hand that Mike has on Reed. Just the picture of his hand (which, I must admit, I AM a "hand" girl) is such a reflection of who he is. He is the most gentle man I know. I love the father he is to the boys and I know there is no better. Having his hand, or hold, is such a safe place to be. He is patient, eager to listen, so incredibly quick witted, and has such a soft way of responding to stress or storms that should fall into his path along the way. He has such a tender way of sanding out the rough spots. His work ethic at work goes unmatched, as does his loyalty. I love the peace that he is.

And then, there is the second picture. A completely different wave of emotion! He still has that look that I fell in love with so many years ago. I could list and list the my favorite "looks!" Ball cap on backwards, the baby blue I-Teens sleeveless shirt, Sig-Ep flag football jersey days...etc!!

The difference now....twenty one years later....a few pounds, a few boys, maybe a few gray hairs, but mostly, a million more reasons to love you even more.

Ily

Boys? What boys?

A glimpse of Heaven for Mike!

Thanks, Sydney, for coming over to spend time with us!

Open Sesame!

This is a standard scene at our dinner table. Lasagna...come on...who does not like lasagna! Reed that's who! Just for the record, Reed does eat chicken nuggets, cereal, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pizza, and "noot nacks" (fruit snacks) ! We need prayers people!

Name That Tune

I post this as Mike, Tod, Mike's Dad, Dick, and Mike's brothers, Paul, John, and Steve sit at the UCLA vs. Washington football game. Yes, that is correct, they are in Washington. Their love for the Bruins stems from Mike's Dad's days at UCLA. (check that out...two possessive words in a row!) Mike's Dad rode Crew for the Bruins! I can pretty much say that ALL of them, wish they had chosen UCLA instead of UTA. They love their Bruins! Their blood runs blue and gold. Our children ALL have UCLA gear. They know the fight song, the stats, and what NFL or NBA players have come from UCLA. My point...their loyalty.

I, too, am loyal. Loyal to the team that I had the privilege of watching for a few seasons sitting near the 50 yard line at five and six years old! No, my parents were not wealthy season ticket holders but rather.....well, here is how the story goes....

My father loved sports...especially baseball, wrestling, and football (not in that order). He played all the mentioned sports in high school (where he earned the nick name that he so loves reminding us of..."As thousands cheer.") and went on to punt for Lafayette College. He was good. He even made it into a September 1956 (I think that year is right) issue of Sports Illustrated. Furthermore, he was invited to come "try-out" for an NFL team, but as dad told us back then playing for the NFL was nothing...not a big deal and no real money in it, etc....and he had already committed to serve in the Army. Well, years later takes us to living in Maryland...but dad worked in D.C. He wanted to go see the Redskin games but couldn't pay the season ticket price...so he tried out for the Washington Redskin marching band and made it! Yep, my dad played the tune you are listening to every time those SKINS scored...years and years ago. I searched my albums and failed to find the picture of my dad in his Redskin band uniform...thinking maybe my brother, Brad, has it...if so, scan it and email it to me, Brad, and I will post it. So cool that my fourth grade nephew, Alex, Brad's oldest son, now plays that very trumpet that my father marched with at RFK stadium. Alex, I sure hope you have practiced this tune! I have a feeling you'll be playing it often!

So, tonight, I will (like Mike and his siblings are doing now) pull for my Washington Redskins!

Where you are

I am so fortunate to absolutely love the people I work with. So many people go to work each day, do the job they do well, chat a little with the people they work with, and then return home. Few have actual relationships with the people they work with. Perhaps it is just me in my goofiness, but I have developed some of the closest friendships with people I work with over the past twenty years teaching. Many days, they are the reason I go to work! Today was really unique though. Everyday I spend my "take me away" hour, a.k.a. lunch, back in the baby room with Brittney, Jessica, Amy, Alyssa, Jesse, sometimes Michelle, and six adorable little ones. It is crowded, sometimes crazy, but altogether one of the best hours of my day.....especially today.

I came into the baby room today loaded with my yummy Olive Garden salad and a stack of papers to grade. After getting things situated, I looked across the room and sitting next to Brittney was her mom. Her mom had come to see Sydney, Brittney's 6 month old beautiful first born baby girl, and to sit and eat with Brittney. I caught myself just staring. The staring that kinda takes your breath away. You know, one of those "could be" embarrassing SNAP out of it stares...almost unaware that I was lost in thought. An overwhelming sense of jealously hit my heart...actually it was more like envy. How I wish my mom could show up to work just to visit me! And how much I miss just sitting and chatting with her! Uh, it was awful and wonderful at the same time. Only awful because it reminded me of what I don't have anymore, which prompted me to think about why I don't have it anymore...and let's just trust me on this one...it's not a short happy list! Thankfully the beauty of the time took the majority of my thoughts to the wonderful side. How beautiful it is and was to witness and be in the presence of a mother and daughter closeness. It took me down memory lane...what mom would have on (always jeans, a sweat shirt, and sneakers (footies not socks)) , what we would be eating if she came to eat with me (pb&j on jewish rye, ruffles, and a few green olives), and then remembering the times she and I would chat for hours (usually on the phone) about everything...and yes, just ask any of my siblings, I mean everything. I truly miss all of her.

More than ever I want to express how lucky you are if you still have your mom with you today. Hug them, love on them, listen, spend time with them, and God please, touch them often. The emptiness that remains when they are gone at times brings you to your knees.

Brittney, I thank you and your mom, for allowing me to be a part of your lunch today. You both brought back a flood of happy memories for me. And, you reminded me of what the reunion will be like when I join my mom in Heaven.

Mom, I know where you are. My heart is holding you everyday.
I love you,
Kimmy

Infestation

Last night I was sitting on the floor rubbing Lady’s belly. Kim was on the computer, Craig and Cole were playing baseball outside and Reed was playing with his cars. A nice, quiet, peaceful Friday evening at home. Then I looked down and noticed something on Lady’s belly. There were little black spots, um wait… those look like, yes, fleas! It went something like this:

“Hey Kim, come look at this.”

“AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! INFESTATION!!!”

And the whirlwind commenced. Lady and her kennel were in the garage before I could stand up. Kim was on her cell and the house phone simultaneously, calling anyone and everyone who might have pertinent information on flea removal. She called an emergency management meeting. (That’s Kim and me talking in the kitchen). A plan was formulated to commence at 0800 Saturday morning.

0800 – Remove all possible flea infested matter from the house and burn it. (I was able to get this revised to washing it and it actually started about 0700 because Kim couldn't sleep thinking about the fleas.)

0830 – Stage family for supply retrieval at Petsmart.

0900 – Purchase Advantix (flea medicine) and Zodiac Indoor Insect Spray at Petsmart, proceed to Pete & Mac’s for rendezvous with Michelle to administer initial Advantix treatment.

0945 – Return to base for thorough cleaning and house spraying.

1030 – Proceed to YMCA for final soccer game. (It was a tie, our first non-win of the season. I think I was distracted by the flea extraction operation.)

1200 – Proceed to Lowe’s for Sevin-5 dust for yard coverage. (Plus 15 minute recon mission in power tool section.)

1230 - Begin outdoor flea eradication.

1400 – Complete washing of infested matter.

1530 – Final cleaning of garage and kennel.

And thus it ended, less than 12 hours after the first signs of fleas the operation is complete. It’s success has yet to be determined, but be assured, we will not surrender. It was an intense day, full of highs and lows, advances and retreats, but as the dust settles in the backyard and the carpet dries, we feel we have fought the good fight.

As I looked out the front window this evening I found that we had another problem, in the oak tree. Does anyone know anything about getting rid of this infestation?

Mourning in America

I am a little disappointed this morning. I feel that my country and my city have each done something foolish. As you can tell by the banner above, we were supporting John McCain and I believe that electing Barack Obama as president is foolish. What I cannot understand is how a guy who promises to raise taxes on the wealthy received 50% of the vote for those making over $100,000; how a guy who sympathizes with the PLO receives 60% of the Jewish vote; how a guy who will “bankrupt” anyone who makes a coal-powered power plant wins Pennsylvania; how a guy who is pro-abortion wins ANY of the Catholic and evangelical Christian vote. I guess I don’t understand how people can disconnect their religious views from their voting. My faith has an impact on every aspect of my life. (Sometimes just making me feel guilty when I know I’ve done something wrong, but still… it has an impact). What I watch on TV, how I spend my time, the friends I have, how I spend my money, where I volunteer, all of this is impacted by my faith. I believe in the sanctity of life. Period. I believe marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman. Period. I can’t put that aside because of a charismatic “Hope” and “Change” mantra. Guess it’s time to buy a gun and pray, (I live in the middle of the country, so I “cling to guns and religion”).

My city, Irving, has passed beer/wine sales. I have lived in Irving for most of the last 30 years and am again, disappointed. The fabric of life in Irving has changed considerably in that time, most would say for the worse. The schools are not as good, the property values have not increased at expected levels, there are run down apartments and overcrowded rent houses(only 33% of the homes in Irving are owner-occupied). Now, this issue comes up at just about every election and is usually defeated by about a 60/40 margin. This time, it passed by 768 votes despite being oppposed by the mayor and city council. I contend that Irving has enough trouble without adding this to the mix. What positive affect will this have in Irving? Will there be less empty beer cans and bottles in the streets? Will there be less people sleeping on park benches? Will there be less drunk drivers? Or drunk walkers? Will there be less loitering around convenience stores? Hmmmm. I think not. It is probable that these things get worse, but they certainly won’t get better. Is that quality of life issue worth 1 cent per dollar on beer/wine sales? Not to me, and anyone who knows me knows that I do like to drink! I guess I was hoping some of the “old” Irving was still around, I think it has slipped away. Bummer.

I told Kim we would move if Irving passed the beer/wine sales. I’m still thinking about that one, but it’s not off the table. Craig is ready to move to Australia, maybe we’ll go there...

Friends

One of my most favorite stories from the Bible is about Samuel. If you are not familiar (and want to bear with the teacher in me) with the story it began with Elkannah, Penninah, and Hannah. Penninah and Hannah were wives of Elkannah (yes, two, sinful Bible times). Penninah and Elkannah had children, but God had not blessed Elkannah and Hannah with children. Hannah wanted nothing more than to be blessed with a son, and after suffering from Penninah’s unkind words regarding her inability to conceive she stole away to the Temple to go and pray. There she kneeled in prayer, sobbing, to God with her hurts, burdens, praises, and wants. Noticing that a woman was in the Temple, seemingly muttering words not understandable, Eli, the high priest, approaches Hannah and attempts to at first kick her “drunk” little self out of the Temple. Upon realizing she was not drunk, just sorrowfully humbling herself before God (which during those times was unheard of from a woman in the Temple alone), he tells her to go and that “God will answer her prayers.” God infact did, as Samuel, which means “asked of God” arrived nine months later. Hannah promised God that if she was so blessed to be given a son, she would return him to the Temple to learn to serve God. So at a very young age, Hannah and Elkannah take Samuel to the Temple and leave him there with Eli where he begins his work for the Lord. While there, Samuel serves God with a servant’s heart…doing all the small but important “pittle-y” jobs. In comes my favorite part…while sleeping one night Samuel is awakened by someone calling him. Quickly and obediently he goes to Eli saying, “You called, what can I do for you?” Eli tells Samuel that he did not call for him. Well, this happens THREE other times. Until Eli realizes that it is GOD that is calling Samuel…and Eli hence tells Samuel, “Samuel, it is the Lord that is calling you…next time you hear the calling sit up and respond: God, it is I…I am here.”

I can not count the times that my Eli, a.k.a. my friends, have shook me into realizing that God was calling me, attempting to make me “see”, or moving me in some kind of way when I, like Samuel, was unable to know that it was God calling. I am so thankful that God has provided me with so many Eli’s…and perhaps the reason he has is because I so frequently step off His path…and I need many to push me back and straighten me out. For all of you that have touched my life, and my family’s lives, I thank you. More than ever this time of year reminds me of what is most important and what I am most thankful for. I have spent many posts expressing my love and thanks for Mike, my boys, and my family. God is so intelligent and knew exactly what I needed in them….and today I am being moved to thank all of my friends and our friends. Life would not be as full as it is… without you. Please know that you are being lifted up every night in our prayers of thanksgiving…. And in Amy Grant's words….”my life will always be richer, for the time I’ve spent here with you…”