The Houston Zoo

We decided to get season passes to the zoo a few weeks ago. We'll see how that pans out with the Houston heat. We had a great time though and the weather was perfect. This was Sarah's first trip where she was old enough to know what was going on. She was very excited to see all the animals. The carousel and petting zoo were the highlights of our trip. Fighting the massive amounts of field trippers was the worst part of the trip.

Going Green!

So I have been thinking a lot about the environment and the economy. It is kind of hard not to with how crazy the world is becoming. I worry about my children and what kind of life they have to look forward to. I am no tree hugger and have failed miserably at recycling, but I am finding that there are ways being provided that make living green much easier. I have decided to switch over to reusable shopping bags.


I recently watched a slide show that showed how dangerous plastic bags were for the environment.I honestly had no idea how many foreign countries and US cities had banned the use of plastic bags! Well, it inspired me to try a little harder especially since I do plenty of grocery shopping and dispose of plenty of those little plastic bags. If any of you have any other suggestions on going green for me, I would love to hear them.

Did You Know...

These little gems save you $38 a year per bulb and you only have to replace them once every 5 years. AMAZING! I bought a few of these 8 packs at Sam's for $10 and they are great. They are equivalent to a 60 watt bulb and give off plenty of light. Also, there is no delay when you turn them on. I think they are well worth it. Do I sound like a commercial or what?

Swing! Swing! Swing!

A few months ago, I was desperately searching for a playset for the kids. I happened across one on Craigslist for $40. What a deal! I contacted the guy and went to see it. When he met me and the girls, he said that we could just have the set for free since he was looking for a good home for it with kids that would enjoy it. Even better deal! We transported it in pieces and it has been resting in our back yard for quite some time now. Today, Mark got it all put together. We have been playing outside all day. We love our swingset.










Oh and I checked on my tomatoes today and look what I found...

Ahhh Music!

I never went to a concert when I was growing up. It could have been because I was into Guns and Roses and other choice heavy metal bands in my younger years and those were concerts I was forbidden to go to. It could have been because I was so busy and cheap in high school and throughout college. Well, I am making up for all of that now. In the last 3 months I have been to three real concerts. So you may be wondering what events a concert virgin such as myself chose to attend. I got free tickets to see none other than.....
These guys are great in concert. I mean, who doesn't like Rascal flatts. I knew most of their songs and I totally sang along the whole time.
Mark presented me with tickets on Valentine's day to see.....

Really! With a voice like Dierks's, it doesn't matter what he sings, it is gonna sound good. He was very entertaining too.
Finally, Mark's brother score suite tickets through his company to see....

The Boss!! The concert was great eventhough Bruce was a bit before my time but sitting in a suite in the Toyota center spoiled me forever. I could get used to being served all I can eat and drink during a concert. It's the only way to go really.

The Entryway is finally finished!

Four paint colors and several weeks later I am done with the entryway. Thank goodness for Walmart. I don't know what I would do if they didn't match every color I bring in and then take it back again when I decide I hate it. They have the coolest computer that matches paint colors from Home Depot, Lowe's, and everywhere. Well, the color I chose was Eddie Bauer's Barley. It took two days once I found the color. There were a few times I thought I would die painting the eighteen foot ceilings. It's done now though and it looks beautiful and clean and ready for decorating. I have lots of ideas now for decorating and I am so excited that my house is finally coming together after living here for 6 months.

So we finally hung up pictures on our freshly painted walls.

These talls ceilings and giant ledge almost killed me.

Hungry!!

Is it a mother's lot in life to have to go hungry? I know I don't look like I am starving but I look forward to the day when I can eat all of my own food. I got up this morning and gave the girls huge bowls of oatmeal--satisfying and tasty. I, on the other hand, had a kitchen to clean and a house to pick up. I ended up having a late breakfast (BAD IDEA). I was starving by the time I got to sit down and eat my sad little bowl of cereal. As soon as the girls saw me eating they wanted a bite. Fine, giving one bite of cereal will not kill me. But it never is just one bite is it? They are not satisfied until they have gobbled down the entire bowl and they can no longer see any little tidbits floating in the milk. So, I did what I do on so many occasions, I hid in the laundry room on the floor, with my back against the door and enjoyed my cereal as best as I could with screaming children beating down the door.