Cocoa, Thanksgiving, Ben Roethlesberger, and being the Little Brother

This is Cocoa. He came to live with us on November 13, 2007. It was a bittersweet day at our house. In one of my previous posts, I included a picture of our new dogs.......KC and Love. Well.....on this day, KC (Kid Chaser) was lying in one of the Adirondack chairs on the back porch by the big tree. The only thing we can come up with is that when he had his head down on the chair, that his name tag got stuck between the slats in the chair and got twisted perpendicular to the slat. He panicked and tried to get off the chair---but, being a Shih Tzu, he had very short legs and could not reach the ground and eventually choked on the collar. It is all very sad and my stomach hurts retelling the story. I loved that dog......even though we had only had him two weeks at that time. He had been to the vet, the groomer, and everywhere else with us! Thank goodness that Jonathan was the one who found him....I would have freaked out.
That afternoon, J was taking Jill to the allergy Dr. in Waco for her weekly shot, and he called his friend Trent to see if there were any more Shih Tzus in the paper. There was one----in Speegleville---so J drove there and got it for me...for us. I did not know he was doing that---being the Budget Nazi he is---I thought he was done spending money on dogs he did not even want, much less the groomer and the vet. But he did.......and Cocoa has been a sweet addition to our family. He kind of lessened the hurt a little and gave all of us something new to focus on, not that KC is forgotten. His pics are still on my camera because I have not gotten them printed off yet. I will get around to it sometime.

This is a Thanksgiving shot. Notice that Lady is in charge here----telling the kids how she wanted them to write down the things they were thankful for----but not to include the usual answers----church, family, God, Jesus, grace, etc. Their answers were great! The bigger cousins helped the younger cousins with the spelling----they love each other!

Snow on Thanksgiving in Abilene-----how fun that was! The cousins had a good time pounding each other with snowballs---and trying to get the parents, too. J thinks we should use this as our Christmas card.....I dont know about that.
Thomas loves the Steelers. He even has a Roethlesberger jersey that he likes to wear everyday! Since his bday is coming up, we had a mini-cousin party while in Abilene. Thomas shares a bday with his cousin, Ben, and Uncle Jimmy's is the day before Thomas and Ben's. He loved this cake. I will post more pics of him and the cake soon.

Little Brother........G got mad and threw an airplane at Thomas last night, so T threw a block at G and hit him right on the eyebrow. This was some major drama with lots of dripping blood. HOWEVER, I did not faint (this makes my stomach hurt too---thinking about the blood)! Jonathan took him to the ER in Waco for some stitches and he was mostly fine this morning. We will have another claim on the AFLAC accident plan----the one we got mostly for Thomas----has been used for Grant three times and Jonathan twice. OH MY.......Thomas cried because he felt guilty......Boys will be Boys! I know someday this will all be funny....right, POPS!

Love to all..........and, in addition to praying for the Hortons, please pray for Linda Hill, a secretary at the High School in West, who beat breast cancer 5 years ago, and now has cancer in her back. She is such a sweet woman.

Treasure Life's Unexpected Blessings....An article by Lady (Jonathan's Mom)

*****The following is an article written by Betty Davis, Jonathan's mom, who lives in Abilene.
This is her second article that has appeared in the Sunday Abilene Reporter News. We are so proud of her!*****ENJOY..............

'I never got the things I dreamed of," mused my sister, "but I got things that I never would have dreamed of!"
Life does that sometimes -- gives unexpected blessings.
I dreamed of becoming a movie star -- singing, dancing and being famous. All I needed was my cousin's coat ensemble and a ride to Hollywood.
The coat, hat and hand muffs were discovered while snooping in the bathroom closet at my aunt's house.
Both the nubby coat material and the soft shiny lining were the most beautiful materials I had ever seen or felt. Cousins gave and got hand-me-downs; this was sure to be mine sometime, but when? And why hadn't I seen my cousin wear this?
I couldn't ask my mother. She would know about the snooping and skin me alive!
(These days, when kids get into things that don't belong to them, it's called curiosity. Those days, it was called none of your business. My mother didn't have much tolerance for my "curiosity.")
Sneaking unseen into the bathroom, then into the closet and shutting both doors behind me was no small feat, as the farm house had one bathroom and many visiting relatives at any given time. I would slip my hands into the muff and envision myself in that get-up, tapping my way to Hollywood and into the movies.
I never got the coat, never learned to tap, never made it to Hollywood.
I met my leading man and the dream changed. He had the cutest freckles, sandy blonde hair, a shy grin, and a driver's license. He asked me to be his co-star and I said yes.
In living "happily ever after," we have a lifetime of experiences: laugh-out-loud funny, sob-out-loud sorrow, plenty of busyness with sprinkles of boredom.
Along with a house full of kids, we raised a farm full of animals: cats (lots of cats), dogs, turtles, hamsters, fish, gerbils, rabbits, and one bird. A cat ate it.
We have five kids who turned out pretty good in spite of us. That number has doubled to 10; we can't remember which ones were the Original Five. They have kids of their own, and we enjoy the show. What goes around, comes around.
We are now older -- and wiser -- in their eyes. They don't say it, but we recognize the signs.
They think we need a pet.
They call one another to see how we're doing.
They say, "Thanks, guys, we love you," and, "Come see us."
They ask, "Can I get you something?" or my favorite, "What do you think?"
It's better than any screaming crowd of fans I ever heard.
The empty nest is cozy, and we enjoy peace and quiet until we are blessed by a visit from our kids, with their kids. We love, love, love it when they come, high-five when they go, then snuggle up (in our own chairs) and take a nap while we watch a movie.
If I had the chance to do it again, I wouldn't. Once was enough. But I wouldn't have missed it. The thing is, I like now! Each stage of life has challenges and pleasures: it's best to be in the present, living life one act at a time. If we always look back, we stumble into the future, and miss the sunrise today.
For everything there is a season.
There is much for which to be thankful and we are.
About that coat ensemble. Recently I admitted my covetous nature to my cousin and asked her whatever happened to it.
Did she save it for her own daughter? Her granddaughter? No?
She has no memory of such an outfit.

It will make you BUFF!

Tonight at dinner....all of us just relaxing, eating a lovely take out dinner from Jack and Diane's (the local bbq/beer joint that we would never eat in.......but love to take the food home!)........
Grant decides that he doesn't like brisket or sausage and says he would rather not eat it.....Thomas then says....."Grant...its protein...meat is protein...it will make you buff!"

3rd Annual November Church Trip

Trent, Amber, Steve, Lorie, Bruce, Paula, me, and Jonathan

This weekend was our fun trip (NO KIDS) with some of the other couples from church. The past 2 years we have gone to Dallas, so decided to change it up a little and go to San Antonio this time. We left early Saturday morning.....girls in one car, boys in the other......and stopped in Temple and had breakfast at the Bluebonnet Cafe. From there, the boys went to play golf somewhere in San Antonio (J cannot remember the name, but said it was beautiful) and the girls had some shopping to do. We stopped at the outlet mall in Round Rock first-----none of us had been there before......there were so many stores! I laughed at the Burberry Outlet prices....$465 for a coat......whatever......it would need to be cuter than that for me.

We all had some luck at the Ann Taylor store (one of my favorites!). I found a few things at American Eagle, too. All of the things I bought were even on sale! : )

We left there and went on to the outlet mall in San Marcos. Paula has XM radio in her car, so Lorie and I were singing and seeing who could guess the artist first of all of these songs that were on the radio from when we were in jr high and high school. We found some good things at this mall, too. However..........we were getting TIRED! What was wrong with us? No kids...shopping...and we were tired???!!!

We left there and went to the hotel in San Antonio. We got the rooms on priceline and thought we were staying at the Rivercenter Marriott, but were actually staying at the Marriott on Alamo Street......not too far from the riverwalk. We got there at the same time as the boys....we had some mixups finding the place.....but a fine citizen from San Antonio let us turn in front of him on our street.....even with Amber freaking out about asking him, so Paula did........you really had to be there for that one. Amber does not talk to strangers. period.

We got to the hotel-----all on different floors because some of President Bush's dignitary people had just left and they were not done cleaning up yet---and had about 35 minutes to get ready for dinner. We did not know where we were going, but knew we wanted to be on the Riverwalk.

We walked around and around (Paula.......I hope your knee is better after the little fall down the steps) and finally meandered into the Pesca. It was a seafood place and was good. I figured out that I do not like cold smoked salmon as my appetizer-----GAG-------the texture almost killed me, but I did try it at least. The menu did not mention it was cold smoked. I guess I should have asked! Our waiter was.............as Jonathan says.......BUSY! He tried.......but there were eight of us. Jonathan and I split a steak and crabcakes. After Bruce traded steaks with me (mine was toooooooo pink) we were good to go! THANKS Bruce. I think everyone liked their food for the most part. Lorie and Amber both had blackened swordfish.......One of the funniest things for me was seeing Paula pull salad dressing out of her purse---she is allergic to gluten---and has her own little snacks stashed at various places. Bless her heart.

It was COLD in there, so the girls went outside to warm up and let the boys pay for dinner.

We then went to Starbucks, had a coffee, and went back to the hotel for bed.

Jonathan and I actually slept until around 8:15 or so........then we were off at 10:00 to eat at a place called Blanco that Lorie's aunt recommended. After driving around in the barrio, we did find it, and it was delicious. I highly recommend it!

For the drive home, Jonathan, Bruce, Paula and myself were in one car-----leaving Trent, Amber, Lorie, and Steve in the other. (Thier kids were all in Hewitt, so they were going there)

I had to take a sweater back to American Eagle and J wanted to stop at the Johnston and Murphy store.......so we did......and found some other stores that we missed the first time!

Paula bought some hand cream at the Crabtree and Evelyn store and it was in a paper sack....when we stopped to use the bathroom, we were gathering up the trash and empty water bottles....she handed me the sack and I threw it away! Neither of us thought a thing about it until we pulled up to our house and Paula started laughing........it was then that she remembered what was in the bag! I AM SO SORRY ABOUT THAT! (BTW...Bruce and Paula are Trent's parents)

We got home and the kids were outside with Ms Cooky playing with the animals. They missed us a little they said. Cooky is lots of fun though.........

Now we are back to life.........back to blogging........and working.

love to all........

Pics I have needed to post

Above is a picture of Grant and his friend Copeland. Grant decided on Halloween that he needed to have a party with his "peeps". Copeland is the only other kid that I know is home, so I called her mom to see if she could come over for the party. She and G had a good time with Ms. Cooky until G fell asleep on the couch! Nothing like inviting someone over to play and falling asleep.
Sorry Copeland........G will do better next time.

This is a Halloween pic of G and Ransom (brother of Copeland, above). Dont they look great!!??

This is a bad pic.....you can hardly see Jill......her choir group sang at the Richland Mall for Santa's arrival Friday night. One of the parents who was closer than me is supposed to email me some better pictures.......It was WAY crowded!

The Thomas picture....my dad, Thomas.......and my son, Thomas..........at Jills concert.

This is a pic that I love. This is seven of the grandkids (Farrah's son was not here : ( for this one) at the bday party for my dad. From left to right: Grant, Jill, Brooklyn, Boston, Beau, Thomas, and Branson. Arent they cute?

Time Saver

Yesterday while at Wal-Mart (Lorie's FAVE store), I discovered something wonderful in the frozen food section. It has probably been around forever, but I just found it and am so excited about it--------it is called "Seasoning Blend" and is onions, celery, red and green bell pepper, and parsley flakes ALREADY CHOPPED UP! I think it was like $1.29 or something.......if it keeps me from having to chop all that up.......its worth it!

Has this been around forever or is it new to yall, too?

American Girl Boutique and Bistro Opening.......

Jill and I got up early on Saturday morning to head to the Galleria in Dallas for the opening of the American Girl Boutique and Bistro. I thought it opened at 10:00 (it opened at 9:00), so we left in plenty of time to stop and get a Coke, too. We put the address into the GPS (because you all know I am directionally impaired) and were on our way. We pulled up and there was already a line----from the front door around the side of the building all the way to the back of the building.
There were security people, line dividers, police directing traffic in and out of the parking lot---all for this Grand Opening that Jill has been waiting for for almost a year. Jill, Emily (her AG doll), and I walked up and got in line. We waited for about 45 minutes before we could even get in. They had already reached the 500 person maximum and were only letting people in as others came out. We were thankful that it was not too cold and that the wind was not blowing!
We visited with the people in front of us while waiting-----one mom and daughter had spent the night at the Westin the night before to be sure they made it, others left home early that morning to make the trip. There were a few dads and brothers in line, but not many. The 3 little girls behind us thought they were going fishing (that is what their mom told them), but their mom really was bringing them to the AG opening. WHAT FUN!
We made it in the door and Jill was amazed......so was I really........at all the people in there first of all......second at all the stuff in there! It is a 2 story store---it stands outside the Galleria---with the majority of the stuff downstairs and the Bistro upstairs. I tried to make reservations last week for us to eat in the Bistro, but it was all booked up already! (The upside of that is that we got to have lunch with The Braggs) There was a story about it in the Dallas Morning News today about it. www.dallasnews.com/extra
Sorry there are no pics. I forgot my camera. I have pics on my phone, but dont know how to load them from there. I never have claimed to be technological! Those of you who have girls should really check it out!

Pictures of Pictures........

I am not sure if this will work or not........or if it is legal or not........but these are pictures of pictures that we had made of our family. Our last professional pictures were taken in March of 2001!!!!! I know....what a terrible mom I am.....Grant keeps asking which one he is in. Sorry Grant.....you werent born yet! So, now, after asking for these for Mothers Day for two years in a row........Brigham Mayfield took these for us at Tonkawa Falls in Crawford. It was HOT, but beautiful! Hope you can tell what the pics look like. (What I really needed for these is Shelley's scanner!) Hope you can see them and that they are not fuzzy---? We will see!

Here is Thomas with his painted pumpkin. I think he named it Mr. Colorfulpants.
Grant did not give his pumpkin a name, nor did he care about it a whole lot!

Jill and her doll, Emily, with her pumpkin. She liked doing it and now thinks we should make the pumpkins into Pilgrims.
The kids in their new pjs with the dogs---KC (Kid Chaser) and Love.
Our three little trick or treaters----Thomas the Gatekeeper, Grant the Pilot, and Jill the ER Doctor. We had trunk-or-treat at our church so that took a lot of time, we did "traditional" trick or treating down a block, went to the library (they gave out books!), had a devo at church with a Fellowship Meal afterwards, baths and bedtime! All of the candy is still in the bags in the car.....we'll see if they even ask about it! The good thing about teaching was that I could take 90% of the candy to school and let my students eat it.......now I don't know what I will do with it!I may take it by there anyway..........Happy November.........bring on the pumpkin pie!