Out and about

We have cabin fever over this way. It's been so hot down here that we spend most of our time indoors. But lately the temps have hovered around the low 90's, instead of around the 105's, and so we thought we'd try getting outside for a bit of nature.

Yesterday, upon the recommendation of a friend, we ventured over to Mineral Wells State Park. The lake is small, but pretty. However, the rock climbing area is really cool. The climb is down into canyons that are beautiful. The girls loved it. Thankfully, there were stairs to go down into the canyons, which enabled us to go down and explore. The girls were troopers, making the whole climb themselves-even Zoe.

We spent a few hours at the park climbing and then swimming. It was a great time. In about a month when the temps drop a little more it will be a perfect trip for the day or for camping.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera on the canyon hike, however, here are a few pics of the girls cooling off in the lake.

Finally

We were having a quick bite of watermelon tonight before vigil and with her father's unflappable demeanor announced "My tooth just came out...finally".

Our local Fair and Rodeo

A friend recently gave us tickets to our local county fair and rodeo. So, we ate breakfast for dinner last night, threw on our boots, braided our hair, put on our cowboy hats and headed out the door.

I think I'm getting old...

I miss the days when livestock, handmade and homemade goods were the central theme of a local county fair. These days it's pretty commercialized and the things they are selling are not unique to a fair-much less locally made.

I didn't see one fresh piece of produce last night. Nor did I see anything homemade. The food court has been reduced to all those fast food booths that sell the same stuff: corny dogs, french fries, funnel cakes...

We did enjoy the rodeo, however. And a rodeo is a rodeo after all...right? Ok, I'll confess that even during the rodeo I asked Fr. what had happened to country music? Now, I'm not fan of modern country music. And I don't even listen to classic country music. But wouldn't a nice dose of Johnny Cash or Willie Nelson be an appropriate touch for a fair? How about some bluegrass? Instead every time the bull riders came barreling out of the shoot we heard AC/DC or Aerosmith. Seriously! (Sorry to all you rock fans. I'm feeling a little melancholy right now.)

It kinda made me sad. I grew up with old country fairs, and they were way more fun, beautiful, and interesting. We thought it was something to buy a slice of homemade pie, find a soft spot on the grass and listen to some old guys pckin' on their banjos. We loved seeing who's tomatoes would win a blue ribbon, who's pig was the fattest...

Nonetheless! The girls had a blast. Of course they love all the rides and gross food. They don't care about homemade pies and cakes, or hearing banjos and fiddles. And they couldn't care less that the cowgirls no longer wear jeans with their boots but tiny little remnants of what was once a pair of jeans.

So, I eventually found my joy, as it usually happens, with watching my girls have fun. They love those fast crazy rides that make my back hurt just watching them. They even talked me into riding the roller coaster with them at the end and I swore off roller coasters years ago!

You know your a Texan when:

Your husband announces that since it's cooled off (to 97 degrees!) that he'll go out and chop down a tree. I guess when it's been 107, 97 is a cool down.

We started homeschooling today. We got off to a slow start. We went to a wonderful wedding last night with an incredible reception. The wedding was at 3:00, we got home at 9:30! Fun, fun, fun.

The girls danced until the very end.

On the way home they both were planning their weddings and saying that at their wedding receptions, they were going to dance all night long!

Blessed week to you all!

A place to lay her head

We have three bedrooms in our home (here in the rectory). The two oldest share a room, Fr. and I have a room and Zoe had a room to herself-well sort of. She actually had a futon in the homeschool room/third bedroom. Which she would give up when we had overnight guests. Which she would get out of every night (and get into my bed). Which would be covered everyday with books and maps and homeschool paraphernalia.

In other words, she really didn't have her own space. Not a place that was in her corner of the room, with her dolls and animals. Oh yeah, and her pink purse. So, Fr. and I decided the other night that we had to get Zoe her own little niche in our world.

Of course we had planned to get a bed for her when we moved. But that seems to be taking forever, so we decided it had to be now. I jumped on Craigslist and found a twin size trundle bed for very cheap. I love Craigslist.

Fr. Justin, being the awesome man that he is, drove into Dallas during 5:00 traffic (because it was first come first serve) and snagged Zoe her little nest. So while Fr. went to get the bed, the girls and I created a corner for Zoe in their bedroom.

She waited excitedly for him to get home. She sat and sat with all her stuffed animals, her Grandma Ocean blanket and her pink purse. Fr. finally drove in around bed time to a really big smile. We hauled it up the stairs and made it up for her. She slept long and hard that night and told us the next morning how cozy it was.

I felt so bad for not having done this for her sooner. Another reminder to slow down and be attentive.

Here are a couple of pics of Zoe in her new nest.

From Zoe:

"Father Justin what are you doing in my mama's wallet?"

Blessed week to you all!

It doesn't take much

to make us happy these days.

Like little unexpected rain storm. Texas is good for that.

Amazing what a little change of scenery can do for the spirits.

I'm ready for Fall...

Well, it's getting to be that time of the year again. It's hot, really hot, down here in the South. The girls and I usually run out of steam about this time every year. We've been reading a good bit, but we need something new. Like, some new pencils and fresh packages of drawing paper. Some new paint and craft supplies. A new drawing book.

I've gotten my homeschool ducks in a row and I'm ready to get started up again. I'll be ordering the few things we need to get going and they'll be here by early next week.

We're ready.

Hope your summer has been a good one!