Das Boot

Torrey sprained her ankle ... minutes before her first volleyball game of the season.  Dean and I both were there and we didn't see what happened until she was hobbling off the court.  Weird.

We have now lived with her injury for two weeks.  Two weeks.  I know, both of my loyal blog readers have lived with her injury for two weeks too ... I'm sure you are sick and tired of hearing about it.  Because, back in the day, when you sprained your ankle you wrapped it with an ace bandage and didn't have to participate in PE.  (I'm sure you are thinking that this is where I admit to wearing an ace bandage without spraining my ankle ... not today peeps.  Not today.)

Well, today kids, this is your ace bandage ...

And, that is why we call it "das boot".  And why we are thrilled to say goodbye to it tomorrow.  We will not miss you!

Saturday Smile

I thought I would just go to my pictures and see if there was anything in there that just made me happy.  I knew I would not be disappointed.  Here is Torrey with her sweet cousin Ellie.  Scrumptious.  The both of them.  What is making you smile this Saturday?

She's a Big Girl Now

She's in High School now.  My girl.  And, I don't know how that happened.  I blinked and there she was.  Seriously.  Weren't we just buying expensive clothes for dolls with names like Felicity and Samantha?  

Well, here she is.  Loving it.  And, High School agrees with Torrey Townsend.  Completely.  She spends her nights doing mountains of homework ... with a smile on her face.  She spends her afternoons practicing for volleyball (or, like recently, in the trainers room with a sprained ankle) ... with a smile on her face.  She heads off to school each morning utterly exhausted .... but, with a smile on her face.

We don't know what the future completely holds for Torrey ... for forever she has wanted to be a vet and attend Texas A&M ... suddenly we are thinking about the University of Texas or Baylor and perhaps a career as a pediatrician.  She has time.  And, more importantly, Dean and I have time.  

But, for now, enjoy these pictures of our biggest blessing on her first day of High School.  

Oh, Torrey, God has something wonderful planned for you.  Trust Him completely.  He will never waver.  He will never fail.  He will always keep His promises.  Always.  You delight your Dad and I ... your spirit is sweet and your words are gentle, you are a faithful friend, you are bold in your faith, you are confident in yourself, you are trusting and trustworthy.  You know who you are Tor, but, more importantly you know Whose you are.  We pray that you will always allow God to direct your steps ... He will never let you down.  I promise.

The Big D

Yesterday Dean had lunch with the Dallas Cowboys.  You read that correctly.  And, it was THE Dallas Cowboys.  I made him bring a camera with him.  You are welcome.

The Dallas Cowboys hosted a luncheon yesterday in honor of Happy Hill Farm Academy and since Staples is a supporter (of both the Cowboys and Happy Hill Farm), they were given a table.  And, Dean was given a ticket ... to table 134.  Along with his work friends, Timmy Newsome was also at his table ... he was a player in the 80's.

Dean said there were a few notable people there ... Roger Staubach being one.  I "ooohed" and asked him if he got a picture with him.  Um, that would be a no.  Table 134 ... remember?

Dean, Brad and Adam did score a picture with Barry Switzer ... don't worry I didn't know who he was either.  He coached the Cowboys from 94-97 and even won a Super Bowl.  I was impressed with their picture taking tactics ... especially when it involved tricking Barry into thinking he knew them.  All for the blog folks.  All for the blog.

Dean may or may not have scored a touchdown.  If he was truly dedicated to the blog there would have been a video of a touchdown dance.  Maybe next year.  But, there may well not be a next time because ...

"somehow" those 3 found their way "accidentally" to Jerry Jones's private box.  Oh, yes they did.  The view from up there was phenomenal ... which is what should be expected from the owner of the team!  Evidently he has the PERFECT seat ... on the 50 yard line with a direct view of the jumbo screen when seated.  Oh, and there is a private elevator from his box directly to the field.

It's not every day you get to have lunch with the Dallas Cowboys ... so glad Dean got to go.  But, I just may be gladder that he brought a camera!

We're Baaaaack!

Well, school started for us last Wednesday. Torrey is in high school. High School. Gag. I did take the most darling pictures of her on her first day of high school, but blogger is giving me fits when I try to upload them. Oh, blogger, why do you hate me so?

Torrey seems to like high school. Middle school, we will NOT miss you. She is playing volleyball. Or, should I say, WAS playing volleyball. She rolled her ankle during warmup yesterday and wound up with a sprain. The trainer is working with her and we are hopeful she will be back on the court quickly. She seemed to be the most upset about missing her game (she hurt her ankle less than 2 minutes before the game started) ... we will be investing in ankle guards!

My class. Oh, my class. Scrumptious. Again. Funny. Again. God is good. Again. I overheard one of my girls say on the playground, "Our devious plan has been foiled." Dean wanted to know what the devious plan was. Um, it was foiled, so I didn't really care. I had one cry because his mom gave him chocolate covered pretzels ... and, they weren't tears of joy. And, I had one singing the Staples jingle (that was easy) ... when I asked him why, he told me he just loved it. Guess who is valedictorian of my Kindergarten class?!

And, so, after a busy summer, we are back. And, it feels good!

And I Cried

So, tonight it happened. My blog makeover was finished. And, it is beautiful. And, I love it. And, when I saw it for the first time I cried.

For reals.

It's a Dog's Life

We are getting new furniture.  At the end of this month.  Oh, we can't wait.  But we have a small problem.


Actually two small problems of the canine kind.  How to keep the dogs off the furniture?  We have come up with several ideas ...


Covering the furniture in plastic covers (remember Marie's house in Everybody Loves Raymond? And her saying, "This is why we don't have nice things!" ... I can so relate!)


Crating the dogs during the day. Dean said it was too inhumane. I'm sure he's right.


Covering the furniture with old blankets.  Yes, we got beautiful new furniture and uglied it up with blankets.


And, then we decided to get them new beds in the hope that they would actually use them.


Dean picked them out today ...

this would be Zoey's cute little bed.  Please notice it is empty.  That is because it appears she would rather sleep here ...

so comfy! She has also been spotted by Zack's new bed ...

... key word was "by". Not on. And Zack?  Can you guess how much he loves his new bed?

Apparently not so much. Why am I not surprised?


Anyone know where we can get plastic slipcovers?