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for a loving husband who is also a great father.for three healthy, happy boys.for supportive parents.and grandparents.for siblings.and in-laws.for aunts, uncles, cousins.for time with family.for family that i would choose as friends.and friends that feel like family.for security.and safety.for home.for community.for neighbors.for education.for faith.and beliefs that bring peace and guidance.for good health.for insurance.for financial freedom.for hope in the future.for prayer.for holidays.for pie.for football.and for so much more…

Thanksgiving, from the Smiths!  Headed to Austin this afternoon.

I talked Derek into helping me take pictures of the boys last night for the Christmas card.  He was not thrilled with the idea.  He wasn’t feeling good (in bed today!).

I am not a good photographer.  I don’t know a thing about light or angles or my camera, for that matter.  But I try.  And it didn’t need to be perfect…it’s just for the Christmas card!

Towards the end Derek was getting a little impatient, Jacob had the glazed over eyes, Samuel was crying and Caleb looked at me and said, "I think we’re done, Mom."  OK, guys…we’re done.

And I didn’t get ONE…not ONE where they are all smiling, or that wasn’t blurry. 

I guess we’ll try again later.

Here’s a sampling:

But here’s one I love:

Had another fabulous Gourmet Club Dinner on Thursday Night.  It was a Fall Feast.  16 women…3 hours of stimulating conversation and delicious food being put in front of you.  It’s SO fun for me.

Our hostesses!

I decided I needed to dedicate today to just having fun with Caleb and Samuel (a novel concept, right?!).  Usually it seems that housework, errands, and projects can seem to steal our time.  But not today!

We went to a great park in Frisco and took C’s bike.  They have trails back in a wooded area and we took a stroll.  Then played at the park.  Then headed to the library (because according to Caleb, the hundreds of books we own are "boring").  And then went to Sonic (his choice) for lunch.

It was great to spend time with both boys and just enjoy them and the beautiful weather.  Samuel missed his morning nap, but you’d never know it.  The only sign would be less smiles per hour maybe.  But he’s the easiest baby EVER.

Lots of pics to share…

And I was sitting on the ground trying to catch his face on the swing…and caught this.

I love that picture!

Here are some tidbits of life around here lately (pretty boring, really)…

1. Had a fun night with my good friends, Dana and Shelley, Friday night.  After the waitress kicked us out (well, not really, but we could tell she was getting anxious for us to leave) of the restaurant, we found some chairs in Barnes & Noble and sat there to talk until, well…they kicked us out!

2. I thought I was suffering from allergies on Friday night, but woke up on Saturday morning and felt HORRIBLE.  I was spent all weekend in bed…headache, congestion, achies, and fever.  Yikes…fever…it’s been a long time since I had one of those.  No fun.

3.  I’m better now.

4.  Had a good meeting with the Asst Principal and Counselor at Jacob’s school on Monday.  I’m feeling better about that situation…for now.

5.  I’m working on Christmas cards…trying to get the creative juices flowing today.  But I have to laugh at myself because each year it seems to be a different version of the same general design.  For those of you who think I’m at all creative, just compare last year’s card with this year’s. I throw in a few curve balls to throw people off, but really it’s just the same old card.  🙂

6.  Samuel has discovered the stairs.  I’m in trouble.

7.  Samuel loves to wave at people.  I just love that chubby-handed backwards wave.

8.  Jacob is playing Eine Kleine Nachtmusik for Christmas…and it’s fun to listen to everyday.

9.  Caleb is loving his new preschool.  And all of the parents are telling me how they hear about Caleb all the time (from their kids)…holding him back was the best decision.  He’s thriving!

10.  I’ve got nothing else!

Aqua DOTS laced with Chemicals

Click the story for the link.  Lovely.  Needless to say I threw OURS out this morning. 

I think we are going to get re-prints of the Toys R Us catalog this year…EVERYTHING Made in China is being recalled…what will be left???

SWEATERS.  My kids will only get SWEATERS from Santa this year.

I just got a package!  You’d think it was Christmas morning with how giddy I am.  I ordered these two things for myself:

So the baby is napping, Caleb is having some quiet time, and I’m reading and listening.  And I’m just thrilled with the little party I’m having! 🙂

Derek has been working from home at least 2 days a week recently.  That’s what happens when your boss is in California. 

He even puts the kids to work.

comes at you fast sometimes.

I’ve got my two youngest kids sick with hand, foot, and mouth disease (lovely!).  Fever, ulcers in the mouth, miserable…  And Caleb threw up in the parking lot at the doctor’s office.  In a wipe box.  It’s all I had available.

And Jacob’s having trouble in school.  And he’s way too smart and too good to be having trouble in school.  It creates angst in me.  And I cannot rest until it is resolved…which may be never, but that doesn’t seem like an option right now.  I research, and make phone calls.  I talk to teachers (present and former).  I talk to my mom…3 times a day, because she’s his Nana and she’s an educator.  And I meet with friends who have had similar experiences.  And I’m reading about education philosophies, and even about home schooling.  And I pray.  And read.  And read and pray.  He’s my child.  And you do whatever it takes to make things RIGHT when it’s your child.

And Derek’s going out of town tomorrow. 

Parenting is hard.  But it’s the best job I’ve ever had.