Zizzlingers . . .

Good Job, Danielle!
Danielle's teacher has this dot system for bad behavior and stickers as reward for good behavior. Her first month in this new class Danielle got a good sticker every day. To reward her, she got a package of Disney Princess Zizzlingers. If you haven't seen these before, you open it up and there is a paper package filled with basically alka selzer and 2-3 Princess figurines. You place the package in warm water and it bubbles and simmers, then clears and there are 2-3 mini Disney Princess figurines on the bottom.

On the bottom of each figurine is an animal of some sort and there is a game you can play that seems similar to Rock, Paper, Scissors. So far in this first series Danielle has (or had) all 3 Jasmines, Briar Rose (the young Sleeping Beauty), Aurora (aka Grown up Sleeping Beauty), Belle, Esmerlda (from the Hunchback of Notre Dame), Snow White (lost somewhere in the car) and Ariel (lost completely).

Team Hoyt

A friend sent this to me today and it is one of the best things I have seen ever. Read the story then watch the video. You can also read more about this amazing father/son duo on their website http://www.teamhoyt.com/

The music is from Mercy Me http://www.mercyme.org/main/ who will always have a special place in my heart because of their Homesick song. Homesick was one of the songs used in Austin's memorial service.

Here's the Team Hoyt story:
Incredible what humans are capable of and the faith, heart and soul which makes it all possible. Read this and then watch the video (the website link is at the end)
Strongest Dad in the World -- by Rick Reilly
Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.
Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike. Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?
And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester , Mass. , 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
``He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life';' Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. ``Put him in an institution.''
But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told. ``There's nothing going on in his brain.''
"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain.
Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? ``Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, ``Dad, I want to do that.''
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried. ``Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. ``I was sore for two weeks.''
That day changed Rick's life. ``Dad,'' he typed, ``when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''
And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.
``No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then they found a way to get into the race officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year.
Then somebody said, ``Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''
How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick tried.
Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour IronMans in Hawaii . It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you think?
Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says. Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with a cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.
This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best time'? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time.
``No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.''
And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries was 95% clogged. ``If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' one doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.''
So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.
Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston , and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland , Mass. , always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.
That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.
``The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, ``is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''
Get your tissues now....... Here's the video. Be sure your speakers are on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4B-r8KJhlE

new couch & coffee table

They are already covered with junk but here are the new couch & coffee table.
















Absolutely gorgeous day out today . . . absolutely GORGEOUS!!!! We are so blessed . . .

our mp3's answers to life's questions for us:

What's your musical fortune? Found this via Sarah's blog via her friend Jenny's blog. Here’s how you too can do this at home--Put your mp3 player on shuffle. Say the following questions aloud, and press play. Use the song title as the answer to the question. NO CHEATING….
--Trey's--
How does the world see you? "Mystify" by INXS

Will I have a happy life?"White Room" by Eric Clapton

What do my friends really think of me?"Ain't too proud to pray" by Lynyrd Skynyrd

What do people secretly think of me?"You don't mean anything" by Simple Plan sadly, this is truly what came up on the mp3 player

How can I be happy?"The Crystal Ship" by the Doors

Will I ever have (more) children?On "Weezie Anna's Wedding Day" (by Milton Brown & His Musical Brownies?) since we don't know anyone by that name I guessing no, however I guess my answer below may disagree...

What is some good advice for me?"Scooby Doo, Where are you?" (SKA by MxPx)

How will I be remembered?"I'm doing the best I ever did" GodSmack

What is my signature dancing song?"Silver and Gold" from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Burl Ives

What do I think my current theme song is?"Straight from the Heart" by Whitesnake

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?"Cold as Ice" by Foreigner

What song will play at my funeral?"Pop Muzik" by U2

What is my day going to be like? "Five-O" by James

--Angela's--
How does the world see you?Chicky, Icky, Icky by Haywood Banks lovely little diddy about a lady spending Christmas at Betty Ford Clinic

Will I have a happy life?Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynryd

What do my friends really think of me?Silver Bells by Martina McBride

What do people secretly think of me?Who do you Love by Jack Johnson

How can I be happy?Christmas Song by Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds yes, this is so . . .

Will I ever have (more) children?Tequila by Richie Valens—seriously.

What is some good advice for me?Hallelujah I love her so by Ray Charles

How will I be remembered?New Orleans by Cowboy Mouth

What is my signature dancing song?Don't Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerin

What do I think my current theme song is?Patience by Guns N Roses

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?Lullaby by James does this mean I bore people to sleep??

What song will play at my funeral?Iko Iko the clubmix by Captain Jack I wouldn't mind this; it's a fun song . . . .

What is my day going to be like? The Bear Went over the Mountain

Arkansas prom dress

So my BF from Jonesboro, AR, where I grew up, sent me this photo today--Arkansas prom dress; it must be making its rounds on the internet. I thought it quite funny and bet this couple really did wear it to prom . . .

If you can't tell . . . I can't sleep tonight . . . even though I'm exhausted . . .

Trey's yummy dinner

So as you know I've been swamped at work lately. Only because our system, for a production update, went down at 5:15 did I leave that early today. I came home, ran straight to this computer to check the last update needed, when Trey came in and asked what I wanted for dinner. "Anything, but I can't make it and I'm hungry" was my response. So, I finish my work and get up to find he is making a yummy dinner--his own recipe. It was fabulous so here it is:

1/2 lb of garden rotini pasta, cooked & drained
1 lb HEB Italian Sausage, cooked & sliced
3/4 jar HEB black olive/capers tomato sauce
2 cups Cabernet Sauvignon (red wine)
1/2 package frozen eggplant (diced)
1 large onion, sauteed w/ sausage
1 zucchini squash, diced & sauteed
6 oz fontini cheese, grated
1 package frozen spinach, chopped & drained

Layer cooked pasta in a 9x13 glass pan, mix all ingredients except cheese together. Then cover with cheese. Put in 350-400 degree over for about 20 minutes.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm . . .

Happy Birthday, Trey!

Happy Birthday to my handsome, funny, fun, smart hubby!

catching up on a few old photos

swamped

I have no real news to report; I've been swamped at work. I worked from 8:30 this morning til about 8:15 this evening with a 1/2 hour lunch. I hope it all pays off next week. Especially since it is absolutely gorgeous outside this week . . .

my testimony

I debated on if I should put this on here or not--but this is my testimony that I shared with my church family this morning during my Stewardship speech. It's written close to how I speak it, so there are some grammer errors, pauses, etc.
--------------------------------
I'm going to tell you about how I came about to stand up here before you this morning. We got home one evening and there was this message from Rob on the answering machine. We're all in the kitchen listening to Rob requesting that one of us speak about Stewardship and my reaction was "yeah, right, like that's gonna happen." Because I've found that people give you one of two looks when you start to talk about money or giving money—panic or pity. It's the same looks that I've found I've gotten this past year when I discuss loss due to death, from Austin’s death, and the grief that has followed. Except with close friends or family—I've found I can talk freely with friends and family without those looks and not get panic or pity but a realness. And you are all family. I know you were all with us when we were not even here. I know you grieve for us and support us even now. But even knowing that you are all family and supportive, I don't like giving speeches. I'll teach classes, speak before Board of Directors, hold cross country conference calls once a week but that's work. So I had completely made up my mind that I was not going to talk, even with my church family, about giving money. Then I saw Rob at church that Sunday and before Rob could even say "hello" out of my mouth came "Hey Rob, got your message last night I'd love to give my testimony." WHAT??!! And right then I realized that God with his gentle love, was again reminding me that I have another very important job—that requires giving my testimony every once in a while.

So the last few weeks I've been trying to figure out what I am going to say. And I had asked Rob for clarification and he had given me a few questions to answer. And it seemed like it was going to be pretty easy. Then he emails me and tells me this year's theme. I panicked. It seemed much harder. Because when I heard the theme, How does my giving reflect my love of God? I began to wonder. Hmmm . . . does it? Because generally you are told that 10% tithe is what you should give, but is that net, is that gross, does anyone really give that, do people give more, do people give less, does anyone else know? Does that include your volunteer time, money to different missions of the church also, etc, etc, etc. But when I stop with all those questions and focus on the one real question. My answer is Yes. This is how.

I began my defining "What is love?” So I looked it up in Danielle's Children's dictionary and it defines love as "to like something very much." Well . . . yes you generally do like something very much. But there are days that I don't like something (like giving speeches) but I still love something (my real job, being a Christian). So I thought a lot about how we learn love. When we are born, we are completely trusting and needy. How we relate to people and learn to love starts at the very beginning and shapes everything around us. I was loved by my parents, some close friends and I knew that—sorta. We all have issues with our loved ones I know and now as an adult, I understand that most of us are just trying to do our very best. But I was without God and a very lost girl. I was sinful. I made some very bad choices. I regretted a lot for a VERY long time. I moved to Texas to try and leave all that behind. Then I spent years afraid and embarrassed. All of that lead to a large part of my life not being able to trust and fearful. I needed to be able to control everything. Then one day, I let go. And I made the best decision of my life and trusted God enough to let him into my life. Truly in. Not just a Christmas time feel good into my life way but really in..

Now I still had a lot of fear; I have made some really bad choices in life. I was terrified up to and including the morning I was baptized here three years ago, on 9/14/03. But what I've learned is, to trust God. And for me, the highest characteristic of love is trust. There are other important characteristics—support, happiness, etc—but the most important of these is trust. That is what gets me through all the hard things; it's how the things in my life shaped my definition of love. Since I've let God guide me, I've been through a lot of things—not all easy and happy—how Disney would define love—but real things that make a LIFE. I've been through meeting Trey, marrying Trey, a miscarriage, new jobs, travel, Danielle, a layoff, Austin's death—but through it all I trust God. And I love God.

One of the best choices I made was to become a baptized Christian and member of Crestview UMC. When I took that vow, I put my trust in His grace. And I vowed to be here with my prayers, presence, service and gifts. This is the only time when the gifts we give are with absolute certainty. When I give my offering, I know it reflects my love of God. No other thing that you give money for is as certain. It can all be gone in a second. But not God. He has been with me, is with me right now and always will be there in my future. So what I ask is that you carefully consider your giving this year. Thank you.

mermaid in swim lessons

So Danielle decided she wants to be a mermaid (a purple & pink one) for Halloween. I found a sewing pattern on Simplicity (
http://www.simplicity.com/dv1_v4.cfm?design=4043&email=Y&dvPage=blank) Her Auntie Gretchen said that she would make it. Is that an awesome Auntie or WHAT??!! To go along with her impending mermaiding, Danielle started swim lessons this week. (Bad mommy that I am) I never got around to enrolling her earlier this summer through the city. So these lessons are through a dive shop in town. I haven't taken Danielle to any classes but Trey has been very impressed with the teacher. From what Danielle tells me it sounds quite impressive so I'm looking forward to the next few weeks of lessons.

After work tonight a few coworkers and I headed out for a drink and by chance ended up at the Austin Chronicle's (http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/home) FREE 25th anniversary party. We had a few margaritas (also free) and some yummy crab/creamcheese dip and gaucamole (all free, free, free). While walking through the place and all the photos, looked up and found Emo's photo on the wall. It was from 1993 (way before I had met him and Trey.) And, of course, there was a lovely photo of the always lovely Bob Schneider (http://www.bobschneidermusic.com/). . .

It RAINED tonight. Not a big storm or anything but a nice, steady rain. A nice start to the weekend . . . have a good one, everyone . . .

my sweet little hostess

Yesterday as we picked up Danielle from preschool one of Danielle's former teachers was leaving with a huge bag of old party supplies. Miss Mary picked out a pink princess table cloth and package of princess party-treat bags and gave them to Danielle. Danielle was SO excited and as soon as we got home she tore into the package of treat bags. She then went into her room, retrieved the still completely full plastic jack o'latern from last Halloween and filled up the treat bags. She then insisted we go to a few of the neighbors' houses to give them to their kids. We've also got 3 on reserve for her cousins, Charlie, Jane and Lauren, whom we saw over Labor Day. Isn't that precious? I love planning her birthday parties and it seems to have worn off on her too.

here...laugh at my expense. Funny Labor Day photos:

precious niece at 5 mos

Addison at 5 months--looks so different from the other Blair kids . . . but beautiful, too.

mmmm . . . yummy

Tonight Trey and Danielle are in the kitchen making some yummy chocolate chip cookie improvision. mmmmmm.

This morning during the SS hour Trey and I visited with our friend, Jane, who is an elementary school librarian. It was an interesting conversation as my mom recently moved to a new school with similar student population. My mom was remarking the other day how different the schools were and how much she liked this one. My mom moved from an upper middle class RRISD to an AISD school. She was very worried about safety but has completely enjoyed it. Mom says at this school if a parent of a child finds that the child didn't do their homework, they are all on board about it not happening again. At the other school, the parents usually made up excuses ("he had soccer practice every night this week") and actually wanted them not to assign homework! Mom and Jane believe that the principals make a HUGE difference. Jane experienced that as well during the time her daughter was growing up. Jane's lovely daughter is all grown up now and heading off to Spain this week for a college exchange program. I don't know what we're going to do with Danielle in about 2 years for 1st grade . . .

Next week I am speaking to the congregation about "How does my giving reflect God's love toward me?" It's our Stewardship month and next week is my testimony. I'm a little nervous and was expressing that to Rosemary, who gave the talk this morning. Rosemary said she was really nervous too and hoped it turned out ok. Her testimony was INCREDIBLE and now I don't know what I'm going to do. Well . . . besides a lot of prayerful conversations and practice with God this week . . . wish me luck!

We're off to visit Aunt Donna and family at the lake tomorrow. Taking Cari with us. Happy Labor Day!

art / bead fun --Cari sleepover