Weekend Get Away

We were able to get away for the weekend and went out to the ranch for some much needed r-n-r. The beautiful thing about the ranch is that our phones don't work out there :) The only way to get us is to call at the right time when we're in the house, but that doesn't happen very often.

Every time we go to the ranch, it's the same ritual. We pull up to the house, then Meg, the dogs and I wait patiently (OK, really it's impatiently for the dogs) while Jarrad circles around the house to make sure there aren't any snakes. I have been going out there with Jarrad for 8 years and have yet to see a snake at the house...actually, that's a lie. I have seen a snake or two out there, but it's the bull snake. Did I mention I have only spotted him in the toilet? Yes, he is IN the house. But, I digress...

Jarrad makes his "check" around the house and as he is coming up around by the back door, I suddenly see him reach into the mule for a gun. Yes, he saw not one, but TWO rattlesnakes trying to get back under the house. I used to think that his circling the house was a waste of five minutes (especially since the dogs were driving me crazy in the truck), but now I understand the importance of it.

***the snake***

***Jarrad with his kill***

***Check out all the rattles on this baby***



***Meg with her swollen eye***
it looks a lot better than it did earlier in the day

After the snake incident, Meg rode with Jarrad to dispose of the snake. While they were out, he found a small shed horn. Meg was so excited about it that she actually asked me to take a picture of her holding it.

On Saturday, we did absolutely nothing that involved working. We rode around the property. We hiked a little. Meg and Jarrad definitely hiked more than I did. I don't think my doctor would appreciate me hiking around in the woods. So, I would stay back and watch them until I could no longer see them, then would listen for them. Meg had an absolute blast hiking around with her daddy and the dogs.

We took the dogs to a few of the tanks (of course, most of them are almost completely dry) for a swim. Ace isn't a water lover like Dixie is. She ran around the edge of the tank before finding the perfect entry point. Once that was established, Dixie was off to swim like a champ. She loves the water. In the second picture below, you can see Dixie setting off for a leisurely swim around the tank...Ace on the other hand is turning back to dry land. It's funny to me that he doesn't enjoy swimming because he is an amazing swimmer - fast and strong. The few times he does get in, he can catch up with Dixie in no time flat. I have noticed that the times he does go swimming is when Dixie is far away from the shore. Maybe he's worried that without him to swim her back she won't make it.

***Ace & Dixie looking for the perfect entry point***

***Dixie off to swim, Ace turning back***

As if last Friday wasn't bad enough...

If it wasn't one thing, it was another last Friday. After spending over 1.5 hours at Urgent Care for Meg's eye issue, we get home to this mess. As I was pulling into the driveway, I noticed something had spilled out on the breezeway. I had a feeling I knew what it was...but never expected this. Although, I'm not sure which would have been worse. I thought that the washer had flooded the laundry room (which would have meant water everywhere).

Instead, my Tide bottle had jumped off my washer and exploded on the floor. It was everywhere in my laundry room and even seeping out onto the breezeway. Seriously, I cried. I did. I also screamed at the top of my lungs.

I had so much to do Friday afternoon and cleaning up laundry detergent off the floor was not on the list. What was on the list though, was working a little, packing for the ranch, and getting Meg to lay down for a little while before we headed out.

Instead, I spent the afternoon crawling around the laundry room with towels, wiping up all the laundry detergent that was slimy and after a while started to smell.

Another visit to Urgent Care

yes, we had to go to Urgent care again! This makes our 7th trip in 8 weeks. I wrote about our other visits here.

Meg spent the night with Boompaw and Nawnaw on Thursday night after we had spent the day at the zoo with Nawnaw. I met Nawnaw at the car wash in Irving to do the "swap" and when Meg walked up, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

My poor little girl's eye was almost swollen shut. She has allergies and when they flare up, they settle in her eyes. Never, has it been this bad, so I was a little concerned. I immediately called the doctor's office to see if he could see her. He was on vacation for Spring Break, so they only appt available was 3:45 with the nurse practitioner. I didn't want to wait that long, so we headed down to Mansfield and went to Urgent Care.

We called ahead and arrived around 12:15. They finally called us back around 12:30 and we were able to see the doctor. I explained to the doctor that Meg and I had been at the park earlier in the week and she was throwing wood chips in the air. I was thinking that something may have fallen in her eyes. The doctor looked in her eyes, nose and throat. She ran a strep test on her throat (negative) and a dye test in Meg's eyes.

The dye test was so weird. In the room, her eye appeared orange. When the lights were turned off and the eye light was turned on, it glowed yellow. The doctor didn't find anything in Meg's eye. She flushed both of her eyes out with a saline wash, prescribed Meg an antibiotic and eye drops and sent us on our way.

***Meg in the car with her swollen eye***

sorry for the blurry picture - was taken with my phone

***Meg in the exam room***

At the zoo

Last Thursday, Megan and I met Nawnaw at the zoo. We all received an annual zoo pass for Christmas this year, so decided it was a beautiful day to go to the zoo. I'm not sure what we were thinking, seeing as it was Spring Break, but it was still a great day. We stayed for about three and a half hours and didn't feel guilty about not seeing everything. After all, we have a zoo pass and can go any time we want.

***the Gorilla***

***Meg looking at the Zebras***

***the Elephants***

***Isn't he adorable***

***Megan being silly***

***King of the Jungle***

***The King's Queen***

***Megan & Nawnaw***

We can't wait to go back again soon!!!

You've got to be kidding...

The other day I was surfing the web for a new camera strap for my SLR...while surfing, I came across this...The camera and hand not included? Well then, I'm definitely not interested!

In my daughter's eyes

This is priceless. Here is a Q&A session with Meg at four and a half years old.

1. What is something I always say to you? don't go out with a wet head

2. What makes me happy? when I be good

3. What makes me sad? That I don't listen

4. How do I make you laugh? tickle time

5. What do you think I was like as a child? had strep throat

6. How old am I? 21

7. How tall am I? Like this tall (open arms all the way up)

8. What is my favorite thing to do? love

9. What do I do when you're not around? read and watch TV

10. If I become famous, what will it be for? because

11. What am I really good at? exercising

12. What am I not really good at? the power bowling

13. What is my job? working at home

14. What is my favorite food? vegetables

15. What makes you proud of me? being good

16. If I were a cartoon character, who would I be? all the Disney princesses

17. What do you and I do together? go to the movies, and have popcorn and candy

18. How are we the same? brown eyes

19. How are you and I different? short hair (points to her hair), long hair (pulls my pony tail)

20. How do you know that I love you? hearts and cuddles

21. Where is my favorite place to go? shopping

22. What is one thing you wish you could change about your mom? that you don't tickle me so much

23. What would your mom do with a million dollars? get a lot of cash

24. What do you wish you could go and do with your mom? go to the movies every day

The Snuggie

Taylor & Ruth are the best. They got me the snuggie for my birthday. I actually screamed with happiness when I ripped open the wrapping and saw the snuggie waiting for me! One weekend when I was visiting, we got to talking about the "As Seen on TV" products. I mentioned how I wanted a snuggie. The temperature at my house is never what I would call "comfortable", so I'm always curled up on the couch with a blanket (even in the dead of summer). When I was recovering from back surgery, I was watching a lot of late night TV and when I would need to change the channel, I would always have to uncover, channel surf, then recover. And, I would always see the commercial and thought that it was the perfect solution to my situation.

Ruth & Taylor, thank you so much for my snuggie! It is the perfect gift.

***Meg testing out the snuggie***

***doesn't she look so warm and cozy***

***she was so comfy, she fell asleep***

A day at the park

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day, that Meg and I packed up our lunch and headed to the park for a picnic. Meg helped me pack the cooler from the looks of it she thought we were going to stay at the park for a few days. The weather was perfect. The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze. There was actually a chill in the air and at one point, Meg curled up under our second blanket. She said she was going to take a nap. Of course, that didn't happen.

***Our cooler***

***the eyes say it all***

***having fun***

***blurry picture, but I still love it***

***digging in the dirt***

Meg, thank you for letting me take you to the park for a picnic.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy St. Patty's Day

Such a cheesy pose and smile! Meg, this is why I love you!

Sunday at Nina's

Sunday, we had lunch at Nina's. As usual, she cooked entirely too much. It had been a long time since we saw her. When we got there, Meg talked Nina into dressing like her. They were both wearing black pants, black shirts and pink tops. They looked so adorable. Of course, I had to take pictures of the girls dressed the same.

***Meg and Nina getting prettied up before the pictures*** ***beautiful girls***

***so sweet***

***Look at Meg's funny face***

***pretty***

A day at the park

When Megan and I got back from SA on Sunday, it was an absolutely beautiful day. So, we packed up Meg's golf clubs, soccer ball, a blanket and a few snacks to head to the park. Meg hit a few balls, kicked the soccer ball around a little, and had a blast playing on the playground.

I am definitely looking forward to more days like this so we can spend time outdoors. Meg loves being outside and playing at the park. I love to watch her interact with the other children. This girl has never met a stranger and is friends with everyone.

Ruth & Taylor's Baby Shower

On March 7, I had the honor of hosting a baby shower for Ruth & Taylor, along with five other girls. We had such an amazing time. The shower was a blast. Almost everyone that was invited showed up. Poor Ruth had an upper respiratory infection, so was feeling pretty horrible. However, she was an absolute trooper and never complained once about being sick.

Of course, she was absolutely beautiful. Pregnancy is definitely agreeing with her. When Ruth arrived at mom and dad's house for the shower, she walked in, took one look at the house and started crying. Ruth is due at the end of April. We are all excited about meeting Luke. He is already so loved by everyone.

***the food table***
***Ruth's favorite cupcakes***

***the gift table***

***Taylor & Ruth***

***The Guest of Honor and Hostesses***

Happy 29th Taylor!

While were in SA for Ruth & Taylor's baby shower, we were able to celebrate Taylor's birthday with him. I can't believe he's 29. For some reason, my birthdays never bother me, but when my little brothers hit certain ages, it makes me feel old.

***Aunt Lanie, Sheryl, Mom***
***Funny Meg***

***Taylor's b-day cheesecake***

***Taylor blowing out the candles***

***Grace & Mom***

***Pregnant Ruthie***

***Tyler & Megan***