tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19731312661457647742012-02-13T21:50:40.386-06:00Simple Life. Simple Love. Simple Faith. Abundant Blessings.Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.comBlogger20101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-31727868010184197962012-02-13T21:50:00.001-06:002012-02-13T21:50:40.425-06:00

I have been absent. I'll admit it. But let me tell you, three children is no joke. We were driving the other day and Andrew said, "You know how people talk about that whole being outnumbered thing? They're completely right." I just nodded in agreement. The third child doesn't just knock you for a loop. She knocks you for a loop, drags you around the ring and ends it all with the biggest haymaker

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-70108012929246009982012-02-11T16:00:00.000-06:002012-02-11T15:59:45.184-06:00

"This is Rio and Blue like the Bird from Rio and this is Maryland where Josiah lives and this... And this... And this... And this...wow this is beautiful... And this..."I thought we were painting but we're actually doing more story telling than painting!English class lessons about run-on sentences are going to be rough :-)

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-59163381044652456112012-02-09T01:58:00.001-06:002012-02-09T01:58:43.612-06:00

So I saw my GI last week and she prescribed a new Med that's "in the same family as the one that made you sick, but this one can't possibly make you sick like the last one." Well, I have news for you, Doc. It CAN possibly make me as sick as the last one. Maybe even a little More sick, if that's within the realm of gastrointestinal possibility. I took the meds at 10:30, was wide awake and doubled

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-81659647955425785212012-02-07T13:43:00.000-06:002012-02-07T13:43:47.113-06:00

I am not one to shy away from controversial topics, but have had quite a time wrapping my head around this whole HHS Contraceptive Mandate Brouhaha. More center-stage in the news was the Komen Spectacle of 2012. (From now on, we will refer to any massive flip-flop as "pulling a Komen.") Sheesh - was that a crazy week or what? Komen announces Planned Parenthood will no longer be eligible for

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-49887437391764276922012-02-05T07:42:00.001-06:002012-02-05T12:10:53.175-06:00

Lucy's first sleepover was last night. I miss her stinky morning breath :-( Molly's first sleepy words this morning when she found Claire and I in the play room... "Where's Woocy?" Minutes later she dropped this gem: A: You're a very special girl and I love you Mo: (still rubbing her eyes sleepy) mumbles "I wuv you too" A: Do you know why you're so special? Mo: Because I ate a bug. I was

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-22216312208586497242012-01-31T19:34:00.001-06:002012-01-31T19:34:59.657-06:00

Tonight we upgraded from a 13w bulb which was hidden behind a TX-sun-faded, oversized light cover to a brinks motion detector with two 100w bulbs! For those of you that new the math done, that's another 187 watts of light. Needless to say, if you come NEAR our driveway you're lit up like a Christmas tree. Wonder what that'll cost addtl per month? Hmmmmmm.....

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-66549806555533108952012-01-31T19:06:00.001-06:002012-01-31T19:06:33.718-06:00

Thank you grandma Cooke (and maybe Santa too) for this beautiful huge hammock. It was such a thoughtful Christmas present. Its on the back deck now and the girls are already loving it, asking if they can "pwetty pwease sweep outside tonight". Lucy also invited the song, "chicka chicka boom boom, wiiiill there be enough room" as Molly climbs in and around the hammock. Its probably found a home

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-27145519194849884472012-01-29T18:56:00.001-06:002012-01-29T19:01:49.385-06:00

We went for a walk tonight and the owner drove up and was very excited to have found his dog "Dougie". So, um, we learned somethings: 1. When we get a dog, it'll likely be a chocolate lab. Which is good b/c for years we have discussed breeds and couldn't narrow down the list! 2. We do not have to pay vet or kennel bills in the next couple weeks. 3. The girls are more loving and gracious to

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-75335731860697173012012-01-29T18:31:00.001-06:002012-01-29T18:31:33.329-06:00

Molly Poppers discovers that carrying the backpack full of stuff is no joke!

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-91718933452359244802012-01-29T14:21:00.001-06:002012-01-29T14:24:07.346-06:00

I was going to blog our newest furniture cruiser as just the quick webcam-snapped picture below.  But when I saw that face captured and recalled the associated laughing/screaming/babbling that accompanied it in my head, I was taken back to 1995. Yes. You guessed it.  And, I'm glad she's got that type of fight in her. With Molly as her older sister and with the addition of Roger (for now)

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-737437490941848732012-01-29T08:28:00.001-06:002012-01-29T08:28:30.638-06:00

On Fri 27 Jan 2012, a lady from our property owners blog posted that there was a young chocolate lab that had been found on the busiest street in our neighborhood. She posted a picture and I, from work, emailed her right away without much more information than that and said, "If the owners do not show up, here is my contact information. I live in the neighborhood and would consider adopting the

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-53675709000197633512012-01-28T19:22:00.002-06:002012-01-28T19:23:21.079-06:00

Lucy & I took new puppy to the vet today to see if he had a chip. He doesn't! (yay!) So, we're kind of at the mercy of the internet to see if anyone claims him. Laura is researching now how much trouble we could actually be in if we do not abide by all state/local/federal regulations with regards to finding a dog and simply adopting it! In parallel, we're trying out new names for the dog to see

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-45464590575767401662012-01-27T20:33:00.001-06:002012-01-27T20:33:23.044-06:00

Just a quick pick of the boys. Hanging out in the living room. Amazed Laura is letting him walk on this carpet. She barely lets ME walk on this carpet! Brooks' first night at our house. Here's praying for lots more! COME ON ST FRANCIS OF ASSISSI!

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-90700124262313123372012-01-23T11:22:00.001-06:002012-01-23T11:22:30.340-06:00

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-76056471179263911622012-01-23T10:07:00.001-06:002012-01-23T10:07:37.304-06:00

Many ask why the Catholic faith is not based on sola scriptura - that is, the Bible alone. For Catholics, there is more to it than that. When we consider the Bible alone, it's a wonderful place to start...Here's a great source to understand a little more.  My Great-Grandma Maggie kept journals during her married life. They're a wonderful look into the history of our family. They were a

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-66372802417398047292012-01-22T20:01:00.000-06:002012-01-22T20:01:36.488-06:00

So here's something incredibly personal that I'd like to share with you. While I was Molly-proofing (kind of like baby chimp-proofing) a few weeks ago, I took a picture of our "new" pantry. The old one (see below) was nothing to write home about, as it is incredibly deep and just plain stupid. It's also Molly-height, while means she shops there regularly. And if there are snacks, Molly will bust

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-90084378660540530812012-01-20T10:43:00.002-06:002012-01-20T10:43:54.404-06:00

That will come later. But first, let me tell you a couple of things I've learned about Roman Shades. Just a few "dos and don'ts" with some sage wisdom peppered in. DO plan on several days of tears.  DO attempt this yourself. It's not as bad as it looks.   DO NOT plan on making your living and dining room your first attempt at Roman shades. I suggest the laundry room, garage or attic.

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-43998681813523592112012-01-20T09:40:00.001-06:002012-01-20T09:51:39.803-06:00

Imagine that you are a woman who had an abortion ten years ago. You've suffered the consequences of your actions, you've grieved the life of the child you can't touch and you bear the scars of that abortion in a multitude of ways. Heck, you're even a pro-life advocate, and this year you'll be at the March for Life in Washington D.C. Good work, mama! The pro-life community is behind you, and we

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-25648099044131537662012-01-15T11:48:00.001-06:002012-01-15T11:48:27.714-06:00

Our hearts are in Baltimore today,Hon!

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-63841459621259559722012-01-14T12:25:00.001-06:002012-01-14T12:25:47.561-06:00

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-87921714733455596892012-01-12T12:16:00.001-06:002012-01-12T12:16:21.444-06:00

As it was with Lucy, then Molly... it is really really really hard to leave the house in the morning when as I'm sipping my coffee in the kitchen, I look down and see this! Sigh. Girls, I only leave the house M-F so that we can have food and shelter. I promise. My heart is @ home!!!!!!!!!!!!!   This crawling-cutie coupled with Mo's sleep mumbling "You go to work?" sad inquiry (while unbuttoning

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-4201742866167452492012-01-11T20:16:00.001-06:002012-01-11T20:17:02.277-06:00

I'm not sure if we ever linked this GREAT audio of Lucy from Oct 2011 singing the Jungle Book song the "Bear Necessities of Life". In Oct Lucy and Molly saw Jungle Book (the old cartoon one that we grew up on from the 80's 90's) and I think rented the soundtrack too from the library the same week. Needless to say there was a LOT of Moogly, Blue, Sher Khan? and other characters running around the

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-19221738296618669762012-01-10T20:55:00.001-06:002012-01-10T20:55:37.035-06:00

Lucy has been working SO hard on her school work!  She's working on her second book of Explode the Code primers and doing great! Lucy concentrates very hard when she works and loves the quiet time that she has with me while we work through her books.  We're also reading The Boxcar Children, which Lucy is LOVING. She's so cute.  Molly and Claire spend most of their time

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-75535424649187420262012-01-09T21:41:00.001-06:002012-01-09T21:41:49.270-06:00

I'm also going to go ahead and download a fantastic version of reveille to rouse you from sleep every morning at 0600. RIIIIIIGHT. Mrs. Cooke knows better! She's all bark and no bite and I'll tell you what, its a good thing she didn't. We had some thunderstorms and woke up to 2 additional little girls in our bed! I'm a sucker and they were 'scared' and they looked so "OMG" cute in a dazed

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-14795093515624579882012-01-08T21:56:00.001-06:002012-01-08T21:56:28.378-06:00

Well, we've learned our lesson yet again. By choosing convenience over reverence,  the Family C has once again bumbled Sunday Mass. Let me back up. We moved over the summer and while we stay connected to our parish through Mass and our lay ministries,  we wanted somewhere a little closer for the usual Sunday mass. Easy Peasy!  They're all the same, right? Isn't that what Catholics say? "I love my

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-27065801192213824272012-01-07T21:16:00.003-06:002012-01-08T17:56:29.438-06:00

It was for cinnamon rolls. It rose. Booyah. And by the way, dear husband, on behalf of every civilian (read: EVERYONE who reads this blog) P&B reader and myself, thanks so much for using military time on the blog. As if my inane rants aren't enough for everyone to figure out, you go ahead and use the 24-hour clock to add to the chaos. Thanks. Can I call you Captain from now on? In fact, maybe

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-63850781251336600382012-01-07T19:57:00.001-06:002012-01-07T19:57:06.028-06:00

Laura. SO dedicated to baking that when an attempt at half-sizing some sunday-morning-muffins wasn't rising at room temp, she decided to steamy bath may do the trick! Here's hoping because we're thinking we're going to try a 0700 mass tomorrow and Daddy's gonna need some sweet baked goods to get us through THAT possibility! :-)

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-23267224442846746612012-01-06T15:49:00.001-06:002012-01-06T15:49:49.722-06:00

Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-23815849122926096512012-01-06T14:46:00.002-06:002012-01-06T14:58:45.451-06:00

Blogger has redesigned it's entire user interface. (Like I've ever had a reason to type "use interface." I'm not even sure that what I'm referring to as an "interface" is actually an interface. Let's continue, shall we?) So, yeah. Now I can't blog in IE because the formatting is such that I can't see the doggone blogger buttons. So I had to download Google Chrome. Well played, Google, well played

Laura Cookehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354544650041230727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-58563735885580297812012-01-05T14:58:00.001-06:002012-01-05T14:58:57.785-06:00

So a few people have asked me to blog about how I feel about cloth diapers, now that we've been at it since July or so. (August? I can't really remember the exact date.) We did the math and it would appear that we broke even and the diapers began paying for themselves about 2 months in. Our initial investment of $200 has really served us well, and for someone on a budget, saving up to invest in a

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-11616512881899301972012-01-02T20:15:00.010-06:002012-01-02T20:20:42.197-06:00

And it's a good thing. This nation only cares about the state of "Iowa" once every four-to-eight years and for the duration of about two (2) months. LOL. Who the heck lives in IOWA anyways!? Iowinians?! Exactly, right??? Get outta there people. If I DID live in Iowa? I'd vote for someone who: 1. Reduces (my) taxes; 2. Flip flops less than Romney (rolling and scootching 24/7 is okay and

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-72228766535352373312012-01-02T14:54:00.000-06:002012-01-02T14:54:37.976-06:00

We were driving home from the New Year's party the other night and I was beyond loopy. I was singing Miley Cyrus' Party In The USA, only my version was "Party in the K-I-A." It was out of control. So it wasn't terribly surprising when I said, "So Andrew, do you have any New Year's reso...propsitions?" Andrew kindly replied, "I'm not even going to answer that question, you dork." And that was

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-13386586693953512392012-01-02T12:00:00.000-06:002012-01-02T12:01:14.996-06:00

Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-76847910657299154882012-01-01T21:29:00.000-06:002012-01-01T21:32:58.155-06:00

Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-27836807880049189532012-01-01T21:28:00.000-06:002012-01-01T21:31:56.789-06:00

Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-12867953732332406622012-01-01T21:27:00.000-06:002012-01-01T21:30:01.117-06:00

Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-32522419373189494722012-01-01T21:26:00.000-06:002012-01-01T21:29:11.939-06:00

Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-61540394398109014112012-01-01T21:25:00.000-06:002012-01-01T21:27:14.666-06:00

Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-61184034104217129892012-01-01T21:24:00.001-06:002012-01-01T21:28:34.503-06:00

Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-33694434869584479212012-01-01T21:24:00.000-06:002012-01-01T21:25:55.606-06:00

Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-72371793132491130092012-01-01T20:58:00.001-06:002012-01-01T20:58:40.720-06:00

How cute is she??

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-57626653607604694512012-01-01T08:04:00.001-06:002012-01-01T08:04:33.965-06:00

We had a fun night with some of our closest friends in Texas. The music left something to be desired but didn't stop anyone from cutting a rug! Laura and I won the unofficial youngest-couple-in-attendance award. We all OD'd on eclairs and cream puffs. Yes, we have a Christmas morning blog post in the works but the computer froze on me and I lost a huge photolog an haven't been able to reenergize

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-41831294949905402212011-12-31T17:01:00.001-06:002011-12-31T17:01:33.821-06:00

Lots of cheap real estate on Weatherford lake this year if you're interested! Don't buy a boat, there's more beachfront than waterfront real estate this year! Here's hoping it fills back it! Our lake is down too but not nearly this devastatingly.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-58066492382433064112011-12-31T16:54:00.001-06:002011-12-31T16:54:57.925-06:00

I do not know much about the cactus on our property. Admittedly, it's a good thing they can survive Laura & I's lack-of-gardening-skills. I do know that if my cactus reaches THIS size, I will not be able to enter my driveway and it'll need to go one way or another! Found this beauty outside Azle Western Wear which is a CUTE little cowboy/girl shop. Probably owned by the two middle-aged people

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-76582645554463649352011-12-31T16:51:00.002-06:002011-12-31T16:55:59.646-06:00

In the vast desert that is north Fort Worth. This image brought to you carefully, slowly and responsibly  (hehehehehe) on my motorcycle ride on 31 Dec 2011. This was taken on E Lake Rd of Weatherford Lake just south of junction w/ FM730.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-49044162389813911092011-12-31T16:46:00.001-06:002011-12-31T16:46:39.172-06:00

Found this gem on FM730 near (north) of junction w/ 1886. So awesome. Don't make 'em like they used to...

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-65656802759209848482011-12-31T16:44:00.001-06:002011-12-31T16:44:01.451-06:00

and HUGE wrought iron lizard fouhd on Eagle Mtn Rd off 10 Mile Bridge Rd. Whoa baby. This picture and the other crazy ones about to come up to the blog brough to you from today's motorcycle outing on a BEAUTIFUL 70-degree SUPER sunny day in Texas on the last day of 2011. God bless TX...  

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-29874373386337071282011-12-31T12:24:00.001-06:002011-12-31T12:24:14.634-06:00

So cute. My little Claire Bear. So much fun w/ my baby this week! LOVE,DAD.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-49417908484721321042011-12-28T20:51:00.001-06:002011-12-28T20:51:50.750-06:00

Today I went to a nurse-in at Target. Google "Target Nurse-In" to bring yourself up to speed. Hurry. This post will continue in 30 seconds. 30...  29...  Just kidding. You have to scroll down, silly.   So I went as a show of solidarity. Anyone who talks to me on a semi-regular basis knows that I'm not opposed to formula if a mama needs it. Lucy had it for a few months, Claire has had the odd

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-35666875534751690782011-12-28T20:31:00.000-06:002011-12-28T20:31:01.960-06:00

I just typed a big (and rather funny) post and the entire thing deleted itself. Wordpress, here I come. Gahhhhhhh.....you've GOT to be kidding me.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-50135267945180994302011-12-24T22:34:00.001-06:002011-12-24T22:34:51.294-06:00

So tonight was Christmas Eve Mass. Let me paint you a picture.   Sometime in the past three days, Angie and I decided that we would all go to Mass together. Yes, our two familes (7 children in total) would fight through 2500 people and sit together at the 4pm Mass. Last year we went to the 4pm Mass. I was 6 months pregnant. I ended up sitting on the concrete behind a giant pillar. Did anyone

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-21828858090335958342011-12-24T20:18:00.001-06:002011-12-24T20:18:27.712-06:00

Ho Ho Cheer ChristmasCreate Christmas cards for the 2011 holiday season.View the entire collection of cards.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-86983228278161482112011-12-22T22:53:00.001-06:002011-12-22T22:53:15.971-06:00

For Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-62516791290578707912011-12-20T22:44:00.001-06:002011-12-20T22:44:16.624-06:00

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-34797917975849209462011-12-20T22:43:00.001-06:002011-12-20T22:43:33.015-06:00

...Firehouse Subs.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-54237285817810012382011-12-20T22:41:00.001-06:002011-12-20T22:43:42.354-06:00

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-33114341157369917952011-12-20T22:40:00.001-06:002011-12-20T22:40:34.931-06:00

They were adequately floored. Lu's favorite part? "Pretty much all of it." And yeah, that's Santa riding a longhorn.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-4396942847654991952011-12-19T20:28:00.000-06:002011-12-19T20:28:16.233-06:00

Having three kids is really farking exhausting. I feel like all I do is think, "Oh...I meant to do that..." But when I actually have the TIME to "do that," I'm too tired to do anything having to do with "that." That includes blogging. I'm going to try to get better about that. I promise. Maybe that will be my New Year's resolution? Excellent idea. I also need to update the pics on my sidebar,

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-19736377448622143132011-12-19T16:48:00.000-06:002011-12-19T16:48:48.110-06:00

When I was in the dating world, I had a boyfriend whose mother absolutely lost it if she didn't get to see her son on his birtday. She always said, "It's a holiday for me, too!" I was thinking about that comment in Mass yesterday as I was listening to the homily about Mary and her fiat. Now that I'm a mother, Christmas takes on this intense, joyful meaning to me. Not because I'm a parent, but

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-20403597363398414052011-12-15T06:51:00.001-06:002011-12-15T06:51:14.094-06:00

One happy daddy. One tired sweaty little girl.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-72409925798005845572011-12-14T08:52:00.001-06:002011-12-14T08:52:41.982-06:00

Geez. The whole family has been deathly ill for like an entire month. It has really tested our patience and endurance the last month of 2011! That said, I feel better this morning! WOW! First morning that I've felt better in like 45 days. And, Laura is making pumpkin bread for our neighbors. She's the best. Off to the break room for some coffee. Pesky 0800 meeting interrupted my routine 0800

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-58138827424488551122011-12-08T10:51:00.000-06:002011-12-08T10:52:53.576-06:00

We finished Claire's room right before Thanksgiving and I just realized I hadn't blogged them yet! Thanks to Grandpa Dick giving up a day of his vacation to paint, Claire is now cozy in her bubblegum pink room, sweetly accented with gray, black and white details! We love it!Sent from my Samsung smartphone on AT&T

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-54491726537460450922011-12-06T19:36:00.000-06:002011-12-06T19:36:32.159-06:00

You know when you've hit on a good thing, and Lucy never leaves me with any doubt. With Lucy, the sun is always shining. And I do mean always. Lucy might have a pout or a meltdown...once a week? She loves to help Mama around the house, hold her sister, play with Molly, cut things out of paper, sing songs, play pretend, make up stories...she's just the best kid in the world. Lucy is going to be

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-45635465229387163632011-12-05T19:34:00.000-06:002011-12-05T19:34:10.282-06:00

Well, we made it through today. To be honest, I think the most exhausting part of the day was having to find my GI's office in the middle of Baylor All Saints. Is there anything worse than knowing you're about to find a tiny medical office in the middle of the hospital district? Yuck. And with three kids in tow, it's nothing short of daunting. We left here around noon and swung by Sonic for a

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-48319120312110901342011-12-05T10:21:00.000-06:002011-12-05T10:21:05.852-06:00

This is not going to be a very exciting post. Just an update for the records, I'm afraid. Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to update with about 70 posts on the past month, but I'm afraid I'm completely underwater and it's all I can do to just type. Let me take this moment to say that I'm very glad I never went into professional blogging. Let me also take this moment to say that I'm very glad that I

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-56331827544596080032011-12-04T09:32:00.001-06:002011-12-04T09:32:18.126-06:00

Started with a trip to the museum to a cool George Washington exhibit. Neat guy. Next it was downtown to Jamba juice. Then we went to B&N for some relaxing magazine reading and book buying. Then, despite current GI issues, we satisfied Laura's craving for quesadillas at Qdoba. They were GOOD. Then, we headed back up north to Lake Worth. ATT was not open, GameStop doesn't fix broken skis,

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-65390605691580228992011-12-03T00:51:00.001-06:002011-12-03T00:51:40.633-06:00

1) we had lots of company for thanksgiving. It was so, so, so fun. Grandpa Dick was in from WA state, Andrew's parents and brother Tim were in from MD, Char and Ben came for turkey, it was so super fun. Grandpa was here for two weeks and just left yesterday. We had an awesome visit! Tonight at grace we wrapped up with a, "thank you Jesus for this food," and Mo said, "and for Grandpa." Sweet girl.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-62182190884380904792011-12-02T18:59:00.000-06:002011-12-02T19:00:06.545-06:00

Yes she can!

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-1846480140972241552011-11-29T21:46:00.001-06:002011-11-29T21:46:42.031-06:00

One large ice water, one sippy cup of applesauce, 11 pills, one holiday Oreo cookie** and a partridge in a pear tree ** lol. Love, A

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-25488070761699065152011-11-27T10:22:00.001-06:002011-11-27T10:22:30.897-06:00

Sad.http://news.discovery.com/human/black-friday-new-record-sales-111127.html Record US Retail Sales On Black Friday November 27, 2011 4:03:00 AM US retail sales on Black Friday hit a new record for the start of the holiday shopping season that follows Thanksgiving, according to early estimates. Sales hit $11.4 billion, up 6.6 percent compared to last year, and the biggest dollar amount

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-49769491617530824442011-11-22T19:59:00.000-06:002011-11-22T20:00:00.388-06:00

Yee haw yippity, y'all! T-16 hours until my mother-in-law is safely in my home. It's been 6 MONTHS since I saw her. A crime. We're going to be majorly outnumbered by adult males for this holiday. It's going to take more wine and carbs than usual. We're totally peacing out of here after dinner tomorrow to pretend we have errands to run. I am still sick. The good news, however, is that my

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-66633109412018275352011-11-21T05:53:00.000-06:002011-11-21T05:53:44.816-06:00

5:43 am. It's actually good, because once the clock hits 6 I feel like things are a little more normal. Claire woke up at 5:03, and she's made it abundantly clear that she's only hear to poop and screech. She's tickled to tears to be up while it's so dark and quiet. I suppose that just amplifies her own crazy baby happy noises. I took a shower and she played happily on the bathroom floor while I

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-81227208210065025272011-11-18T21:23:00.001-06:002011-11-18T21:47:58.409-06:00

Happy birthday Angie!

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-45220358240607263512011-11-16T22:48:00.001-06:002011-11-16T22:48:11.194-06:00

http://news.discovery.com/history/jane-austen-poison-111116.html Was Jane Austen Poisoned? November 16, 2011 2:46:16 PM Rossella Lorenzi) Portrait of Jane Austen based on one drawn by her sister Cassandra. Courtesy of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin/Wikimedia Commons. Jane Austen, the author of classics such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-7526938522278837032011-11-14T10:19:00.001-06:002011-11-14T10:19:24.281-06:00

Ha! Ive seen these falls!!!! Amazing! Truly a "wonder"!http://news.discovery.com/earth/new-seven-natural-wonders-111112.html Iguazu Falls, Halong Bay On Natural Wonders List November 12, 2011 10:42:00 AM The Amazon rainforest, Vietnam's Halong Bay and Argentina's Iguazu Falls were named among the world's new seven wonders of nature, according to organizers of a global poll. The other

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-48006203514953191572011-11-12T10:18:00.001-06:002011-11-12T10:18:32.351-06:00

Mounted just high enough to be out of reach! :-)

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-38557489730000252232011-11-12T10:16:00.000-06:002011-11-12T10:17:03.873-06:00

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-67391815921243569712011-11-10T22:03:00.000-06:002011-11-10T22:03:30.516-06:00

So, I'm reading a book called The Last Man Standing and there was some obscure reference to taxidermy in it. Anyways, they said that most people use "Borax" now on the inside of their catch/kills after removing all the innards. I remembered Laura HAS Borax in the laundry room soooooo.... We did it. At lunch today, I bought a new Shakespeare rod and a couple misc tackle box goodies (Thank you

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-60791918715023980422011-11-10T13:47:00.001-06:002011-11-10T13:47:32.987-06:00

$444 for a fishing rod at Cabelas.  Holy cow. Just the rod. Not the reel, line, bait, equipment, boat, tackle, guarantee of catching endless amounts of huge fish , etc. Nope. Just a rod.  Yikes!

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-37331575133339762622011-11-10T11:11:00.003-06:002011-11-10T11:15:22.519-06:00

Maybe no one wants to hear what I have to say about gay marriage. If that's the case, you have several moments to click on the "x" at the top of your screen. One... Two.... Three... And here we go. I am so agitated by the people who say it's hateful to oppose gay "marriage." Hate? No. What I feel is an intense sorrow and disappointment that there are so many people out there who feel that

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-34689186619520218382011-11-06T22:06:00.001-06:002011-11-06T22:06:16.535-06:00

It didn't feel like a weekend. Bummer deal. I'd love to know how my fat baby weaseled her way into my bed before 10pm. I'd put her back in her crib, but I'm sure she'll flip her lid. And she's really cute, so she stays. I think I hear thunder outside. It's that or the squirrel who is forever romping around on our roof. He's the biggest squirrel eh-vuhr. Let's see. Tomorrow we have to run to the

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-47298592461078481342011-11-06T21:49:00.000-06:002011-11-06T21:50:18.195-06:00

So proud of our little Lucy! She's not a fan of running, but she's figuring out the game and loves being on a team. She told me that she "might" play next year, if she can learn to run better before then!

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-27394158873910534382011-11-06T21:46:00.001-06:002011-11-06T21:46:54.578-06:00

When I think forward and acknowledge the fact that she won't always fold her legs under her on the kitchen counter and repeat, "You mixes dat! You mixes dat!", my heart nearly splits in two.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-47968423211942398542011-11-03T22:15:00.001-05:002011-11-03T22:15:52.880-05:00

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-83080197086541534122011-11-03T22:14:00.000-05:002011-11-03T22:15:30.060-05:00

...tends to leave this expression on anyone's face.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-80131052808982216942011-11-03T22:13:00.001-05:002011-11-03T22:13:50.105-05:00

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-14634899814507173912011-11-03T22:12:00.001-05:002011-11-03T22:12:51.288-05:00

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-6547152039278839382011-11-03T22:11:00.000-05:002011-11-03T22:13:18.864-05:00

"when Gracie got ready to go out, she'd get completely ready and then stop to examine herself in the hallway mirror, where she'd remove one item or accessory to make sure she wasn't overdressed."-George Burns

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-80411168263300502442011-11-03T22:06:00.000-05:002011-11-03T22:12:23.994-05:00

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-15459000797574488352011-11-02T21:48:00.000-05:002011-11-02T21:48:38.071-05:00

"Don't worry, Mom!" "We're building a trap for Claire!" "But it should be fine." It's just a little trap!" "Okay, Mom?"

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-15422164486576753122011-11-02T21:40:00.000-05:002011-11-02T21:40:19.943-05:00

 I'd caption these, but there are seriously a TON. Okay, fine. I'll caption them. I have no willpower against the imaginary voices of my blog readers. All 6 of them. Halloween Night - Lucy and Mo hit their first house with much enthusiasm. After being told that our neighborhood is seriously awesome for trick-or-treating, House Number One says, "Huh? No. Trick-or-trating in this neighborhood is

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-73639901153276936762011-11-01T06:37:00.001-05:002011-11-01T06:37:24.177-05:00

Man she's so sweet you could eat her w/ a spoon. Don't forget RULE #1: NEVER wake a sleeping baby ;-)

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-5739933275672760482011-11-01T06:33:00.001-05:002011-11-01T06:33:41.031-05:00

Molly feeds her baby some Halloween candy!

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-17869851835589611792011-10-29T23:03:00.000-05:002011-10-29T23:04:02.857-05:00

Saturdays are always delicious in our house. Not as good as Sundays, but a close second. And not just because there are only two days in the weekend. (what does that even mean?) Andrew is lying in bed next to me reading a book I borrowed/pilfered from the KOA laundry room library. I'm not sure if you're supposed to return them before you leave or just swap them with something else. Oh. Yes.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-2977762794085428012011-10-28T23:51:00.001-05:002011-10-28T23:51:52.355-05:00

In case you're wondering, the answer is yes. The last quote in this article does say, "Our contemporary sandals combine these poetic images from antiquity with promotional and safety features designed to meet the needs of today's sex workers."Oy.http://news.discovery.com/tech/gps-shoes-track-kids-alzheimers-prostitutes-111028.html GPS Shoes, for Alzheimer's Patients and Prostitutes? October

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-32221481151673320392011-10-28T17:59:00.001-05:002011-10-28T17:59:48.716-05:00

My beautiful bride on date night (Brix, Roanoke TX) caught talking about CHEESE!

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-17376619106231270782011-10-27T23:10:00.000-05:002011-10-27T23:10:32.964-05:00

Fox News Poll: 76 Percent Dissatisfied With Direction of Country. To which Claire Faustina Cooke says... Some folks in Congress are about to become "the unemployed". Fools have underestimated the power of their constituents.  NBA sides return hope builds progress To which Claire Faustina Cooke says... NBA? National Baby Association? Who cares about the NBA... Give me a real sport, real

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-55895830156520331502011-10-26T15:57:00.000-05:002011-10-26T15:57:19.943-05:00

I have been slacking. I'm well aware. But here's what's happening. Molly is potty training. So I spend all day feeling her undies, following her around, yelling, "Don't pee on that!" and generally worrying over the amount of laundry I have ahead of me. Today we are accident-free. I will not point out that she's been napping for 3 hours. Lucy is all, "Let's do a craft!" every 30 seconds, all day

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-63619195625753293062011-10-25T20:24:00.000-05:002011-10-25T20:24:41.361-05:00

Lucy (on her tiny pink Disney Princess rod) catches a largemouth bass (young, maybe 8") and a 16" mean catfish tonight at Eagle Mtn Lake! Bait all night? CHEESE DOGS.  First catch of the night! She called it a "Cutie Patootie"   2nd catch of hers for the night! Large (aggressive) catfish! It was dark and I asked aloud "How am I going to get this hook out?" Her quick response and she

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1973131266145764774.post-87025856369512030532011-10-25T19:37:00.002-05:002011-10-25T19:37:34.250-05:00

Lucy found a worm and has been carrying it around for at least an hour. Worm rigor mortis has definitely set in, but she's still talking to him. It's sad. She asked me what kind of worm he is and I told her it's "rare, indigenous worm." She was mad impressed with my worm knowledge.

Andrew & Lauranoreply@blogger.com0