Rowland was allergic to cats growing up and as an adult. Carson, too, was allergic to cats and even took allergy shots. When we moved to California and had to get rid of our Westie Cricket, all of the tears finally pushed Rowland to do something none of us ever expected. He went to the Animal Shelter and brought home a cat!

Our Other “Boy”

As Rowland tells the story, Valentino was the only cat who jumped on the glass and meowed, begging, “Pick me! Pick me!” The rest is cat history. This little boy has so much personality! We’ve all become “cat whisperers,” I suppose, because we all know exactly what he wants. He’s a mischievous little guy who’ll jump out and attack and be gone before you can turn around. At night, he loves to come stand on Rowland’s stomach and wait for Rowland to rub the inside of his ears - yes, the INSIDE of his ears! He’ll even let me rub his tummy!

Each morning, we let Valentino go out in the back yard and play for about an hour while the kids are getting ready for school. We usually leave the door open so that he can run in and out as he pleases. As I was getting ready to leave one morning last week, I checked to make sure he was in the house. (He actually comes when you meow to him!) Sure enough, there was Valentino sitting downstairs intensely watching something. Upon closer examination, I realized that he had struck pay dirt! Valentino caught and killed his first snake - and without any front claws! He must’ve been so proud as he carried his treasure inside and yet looked a little disappointed that his play toy wouldn’t play anymore!

Most recently, Valentino has mastered a new trick, and it’s definitely a risky one! We have a rail along the upstairs hallway, and Valentino has learned to jump up on the rail without falling to the ground 16 or so feet below and walk it like a tightrope! I’m afraid our little guy may be looking to leave home soon and join the circus!

Valentino, the Circus Cat

Those who know me know that I’m a girlie girl. While I don’t wear bows in my hair (never have, I promise!!), I do like my fake nails, my colored medium length hair (yes, with a little hairspray), a little more makeup, my jewelry…. I also LOVE shoes and purses and have a fashion sense of my own (may not always work, but I definitely have an idea in my head). I’m obsessed, yes obsessed, with the scales and my weight - my cross to bear unfortunately. Basically, shallow as it may be, my appearance matters to me.

When I was a single girl, I never went anywhere without makeup. I’d even sweat it out at the pool after taking a shower and fixing my hair and makeup. I’d go to an early morning women’s workout at the gym AFTER applying a little makeup. I think the Bible calls that vanity! Once married, nothing changed except that I did let Rowland see me in my purest form. BUT….I always fixed my hair and makeup (after straightening the house to perfection) before he came home from work.

When Carson started preschool, I got up early enough to shower and fix my hair and makeup before driving him to school - and that was for the drop-off line! I remember being amazed at my friends who could take their children to school in their PJs. What? Drive to school in your PJs? What if someone saw you? Ugh!!! I also remember the one time that I got pulled over in the small town we lived in at the time. I was only blocks from our house, was running late (yes, I had that problem then, too), had not showered, and yielded at a stop sign in the neighborhood. I was SO embarrassed that I had to talk to the policeman in such a state. Fortunately, he probably mistook my frustration for that of getting pulled over instead of my being mortified by my appearance and didn’t give me a ticket. That was the last time I drove my son to school without makeup. That is, until……

Fast forward four kids later…. I began to run the kids up to school a few blocks from our house - sans makeup! After all, it was only a few blocks, and I didn’t have to walk them into the building. As time passed, I became more comfortable with my new self and would even drive them in my pajamas with a sweatshirt pulled over the top. In California, I always drove the entire hour loop to all three schools in my pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt and no makeup. Often, I’d stop in the church to say “hi” to Rowland and my friends in my less-than-attractive state!

Now, the kids ride the bus to school. Since my little one goes, and my middle one is having a tough time with going to school this year, I often walk them to the bus stop - in my pajamas without even running a brush through my hair. Basically, the neighborhood probably knows me as “that mom who runs around the streets in her pajamas.” I’d like to say that the only time anyone sees me like that is when I’m taking the kids to the bus stop, but actually I check the mail in my jammies, take out the trash in my jammies, stand around outside visiting with my neighbors in my jammies…. Don’t worry, though, you’ll not find a picture of me on my own blog in my jammies!! After all, I do have a reputation to TRY to maintain!!

A wonderful movement started in San Jose, California a few years ago. It’s called Beautiful Day, and the goal is for churches to partner with each other to make a real difference in the community. Beautiful Day is not a program, and there is no formula for making it work. That’s the cool part of it. You just reach out to the community, ask what’s needed, and then do it!

Our church had a wonderful Beautiful Day project a few weeks ago, cleaning up and dressing up the grounds of an elementary school near our church. Some people worked harder than others, but the feeling of community and desire to help was universally felt. The principal came alongside church members as well as some school staff. The project cost the school nothing. Items were either donated or people at the church covered costs. It truly was a beautiful day and felt good to be the hands of Jesus in the community!!

The Man in Charge, My Handsome Husband

William Keeping an Eye on the Little Guys

Carson Working Very Hard!!

KeKe and Jia Taking a Break

To celebrate the 4th of July, Rowland and I took the kids to a Rockies’ game. Carson was visiting grandparents so he didn’t get to go with us, but we had a blast. Since it was my first game to attend, and the kids have gone with Rowland several times, I didn’t quite know what to expect. Evidently, the goal of attending a game is to get up on the big screen. Carson achieved this a few weeks ago, standing on the chair and hooping and hollering! Not to be outdone, William was ready to go on the 4th! He hit the big screen in the very first inning!!

Rockies’ #1 Fan

What a great time! We ate nachos, hot dogs (yes, even I eat a hot dog at the ballpark, and no, I have no idea how many Weight Watchers points one is!), peanuts, cotton candy, beer (adults only), and cokes. We sang, rooted with the crowd, did the wave and the 7th inning stretch, and actually watched lots of the game! With an 18 - 17 final score, the Rockies on top, it was a FANtastic great time!!!

Rowland with His Team (Most of It Anyway)

Those of you who know my husband know what a wonderful dad he is, what an amazing husband he is, and really what an all-around great man he is! You also know that he’s the “GO-MAN” and is not going to reach the end of his life saying, “I wish I’d tried this or done that.” In the 15 years that we’ve been together, he’s been a duck hunter who drove a red Z28, a country music writer, a magician, a Wrangler Jeep off-roader (while I was big pregnant, of course), a jewelry-clad man (VERY SHORT hobby), a guitarist in bar bands, a bass fisherman with a killer boat, a fly-tying fly fisherman (still and always will be!), a motorcycle man, a snow skiier (still), a wine connoisseur, a Project Runway fan, a Rockies fan (still), a beer maker (hobby 126), and…..

Presenting Hobby #127………

A Killer 1961 Corvette Convertible

Carson’s looking forward to turning 17 now!

Two Cool Dudes!!!

(BTW, the two extra kids in the picture are not mine, and they are angel children staying with us for the weekend!)

Kitty celebrated her 8th birthday a couple of weeks ago, and what a great celebration it was! We went out to dinner with her Colorado cousins as usual and had a great time. Of course, no birthday would be complete for our kids without the Red Robin singers!!

Red Robin’s Chirpers

Too Much Estrogen on One Side of the Table

More Torture for Carson

Boys Rock!!

After a sleepover, she had her party at Justice for Girls where a couple of the employees put the girls’ hair in up-dos complete with glitter. Each of the girls created a fashion T-shirt and was able to pick out several fun makeup and hair accessories to take home. The party ended just in time for KeKe to head to the Rockies’ game with her daddy and William.

Which Gift is Next?

Love it!!!

KeKe Sandwich

Future Miss Americas!!

She loved the cards and money/gift cards that she received from family and friends out-of-town and enjoyed the many versions of “Happy Birthday” sung to her via telephone. Labeling it “the BEST birthday ever,” Kitty hit the bed one exhausted princess.

A Girl Can Never Have Too Many Bags!!

Kitty and William started school last week since we’re on a year-round schedule. The week went well, and they both love their teachers. Today, our youngest princess started Kindergarten!! Of course, there are always mixed emotions when my babies start school, but I must say that the hardest part of letting Jia go was allowing her to get on the bus. Yes, my baby is not only starting school, she’s even riding the bus with her brother and sister. And my other stress - she fixed her own hair - interesting at best!!

As I sit here and type, my “nest” is empty. Carson is at Rock Camp every day this week; Rowland is at work; and the rest of my babies are at school. How will I spend my day? I think I’ll do a little laundry, work out, shower, and go shopping for shoes!!! After all, aren’t those all MY jobs?

Here a few pictures to treasure the first day of Kindergarten!

Hurry Up, Dad, and Take the Picture!!

Jia - “Do I always have to walk this far?”

The Steps Are as Tall as I Am!!

Why do people have to talk so much and so loudly and with so much energy in the morning? It makes me feel like my skin will crawl right off of my body!!!! As I sit here and type, I hear singing. It’s not the singing of a favorite song; it’s the singing of every thought crossing one child’s mind. In between “verses,” every thought is spoken - loudly! As if that weren’t enough for an already-over-the-edge mom, there’s also a banging sound, a toy guitar being played, the television with goofy creatures making noises, and the constant chatter of another child trying to get a sibling’s attention. Oh, joy! Oh, rapture! “Hey, Mom! Hey, Mom! Hey, Mom!” Can I scream or would that be a bit much for a “normal” person? And this is after my mommy medications!! Should I pray for patience and calm? Or maybe deafness? Can God hear through all of the jumble in my head right now? Now, questions are flying my way.

Can I instate a rule that NO ONE speaks before school? We could sit together with no noise and just love on each other as we slowly get ready for the day. We could wander around the house getting out our breakfast, getting dressed, cleaning our rooms……. Is talk necessary for those things? More talk…..more questions…..more TV….. When does the bus get here? 30 more minutes? What time is it now? How many more minutes until quiet? Still 30….. “She’s (me) not going to answer me.” At least the hint is being taken. The noise doesn’t stop, though. Where is my sister-in-law’s recliner in a nice, dark, quiet place where she has her coffee, and no one speaks to her until she’s done? Maybe a new recliner would do the trick. Maybe I just need to start drinking coffee. How many more minutes? Watching the clock is like watching water boil. Nothing happens. The hands are stuck. The noise continues, though. It’s the same noise that I hear in the afternoon that makes me laugh. Why is it so painful in the morning? How many more minutes? 25 but who’s counting? I think this will be a “Don’t-answer-the-phone day!”

Bob and the Blonde

Bob walked into a sports bar around 9:58 PM. He sat down next to a blonde at the bar and stared up at the TV. The 10:00 PM news was coming on. The news crew was covering a story of a man on a ledge of a large building preparing to jump.

The blonde looked at Bob and said, “Do you think he’ll jump?”

Bob says, “You know, I bet he’ll jump.”

The blonde replied, “Well, I bet he won’t.”

Bob placed a $20 bill on the bar and said, “You’re on!”

Just as the blonde placed her money on the bar, the guy on the ledge did a swan dive off the building, falling to his death.

The blonde was very upset, but willingly handed her $20 to Bob, saying, “Fair’s fair. Here’s your money.”

Bob replied, “I can’t take your money. I saw this earlier on the 5 PM news so I knew he would jump.”

The blonde replied, “I did, too, but I didn’t think he’d do it again.”

Bob took the money.

Jia: “I’m NOT a child!”

Me to the Preschoolers: “Your hands are for loving yourselves.” Oops!

Sissy: “I’m not trying to be mean, Momma, but some of those clothes (at a “hip” clothing store) would look better on you if you were younger and skinnier.”

Jia to Me: “Why do you always pick out clothes that I don’t want to wear? I want to move somewhere else.”

Carson to Me: In response to his earning “Brownie points,” “Why do I want Brownie points when I never get the brownie? How many points does it take?”

Carson: “I need a distraction. Quick. Jump out of the car, pull your pants down, and squawk like a chicken!”

Carson: “I think my diet pills are wearing off!”

William to Me: “Is that white stuff on my teeth in the morning some of the cavity filling leaking out?”