Someone Needs to Tell Hallmark

Someone failed to tell Hallmark that today was a holiday. I know this because I did not receive any cards. I should have. Today was one of the most revered days in Houston ... "Go Texan Day"... I kid you not. In honor of the start of Houston Rodeo, all of Houston puts on their best cowboy gear and goes about town as if wearing cowboy stuff is what is always done in Houston. And, at some point during the day, the wagon trains make their appearance. Memorial Park is the end to the trail ride. (FYI ... they have the right of way and they go slow and they will make you late to EVERYTHING ... only in Texas can you hear teachers telling their students their parents must be running late to carpool because they got stuck behind a trail ride!)

My cute kiddos arrived this morning in the most adorable cowboy gear known to man. Nothing cuter than little girls in pink boots and pink cowboy hats! And, this little buddy melted my heart when he arrived to school this morning ....
And, so, I fondly wish all of my blog readers (all 10 of you!) a "Happy Go Texan Day!" ... or, what I was really calling it all day "Happy Wearing Jeans to School on Friday Day!" Because what self respecting cowboy would wear flip flops with their jeans?!

What a Day!

Today would definitely be a day I would not like to see repeated (ala "Groundhog Day"!) Suffice it to say ... parenting is hard. Parenting an almost teenager is hard. Parenting a 7th grader is hard. Get the picture?

My little buddy had a very good Friday. Today would have also been stellar if we hadn't gone to playground (oh, how I curse you playground!) The boys have been playing tackle football (against the rules) and he tackled a friend hard. I asked him to come and sit for a minute to calm down ... and that turned into the biggest meltdown I have EVER been witness to ... and, I don't think I need to remind you that I parented a strong willed two-year-old. There was mulch thrown. At me. He refused to walk. I carried (I know, I have said before I wouldn't do that again.) He kicked. Me. When I got him inside he refused to sit on the chair. No principal. And, then it happened. I had my own temper tantrum (not really!) I did refuse to take him back until he had seen someone. Blah, blah, blah (Hey! It really is all I say!) and the rest of the day was fine. We are trying to work out some blood sugar kinks ... by the time I get him figured out it will be May 22nd. Good grief.

Which leads me to say again ... I will not be doing a "do over" for today!

Randomly Random

It has been awhile since I last posted ... I guess not much is going on here. HA! Here is a glimpse of the fun in the last few weeks.

-Torrey is trying out for cheerleading. Will let you know how that goes. Tryouts are March 5th. We appreciate ALL prayers. (FYI ... she has been practicing in the backyard. The dogs are not helpful ... they keep running between her legs. Good grief!)

-I really have to be careful what I say to the kiddos in my class. A few weeks ago a little boy was eating his clothes (sleeves, collar ... it was getting gross) I told him only goats eat their clothes. Fast forward to this week and I reminded him again to not chew his clothes and he said "Allright. I won't be a goat." Do I really need to say that my class says the funniest things?

-And, on the school note, my class went to the museum for our first field trip. I took 19 and came home with 19 ... success! Alex informed us that the butterflies with spots on them are "EVIL" (rub your hands together as you say this word with a bit of a spanish accent) because they had eyes on their wings. I'm sure more than one of them had nightmares that night because one flew over us and they all screamed. Um, what is the first rule when visiting the butterfly room? No screaming. How'd I do?

-Dean has been home all week. And, by home, I mean he actually worked from home for four days. It goes without saying that the dogs were in heaven. They both follow him from room to room. Fine by me ... because if they like you best, you have to get up with them in the middle of the night.

-Proflowers messed up my flowers from Ben, so they redelivered. The note was different ... "It is your birthday ... again." Ben is now channeling Dwight Schrute. I love it!

-We booked flights to Florida for Easter ... there was much joy when Dean called Ben and Carly to tell them. And, we knew the joy was not because Dean and I were coming ... we really knew it when they asked if Torrey was coming too. We know our place.

That should tide you over for now ... more tomorrow!

This Has Never Happened Before

Yesterday at school, something happened that has never happened before. I was blamed for something. Henry came in jubilant because it was my birthday. He made me THREE birthday cards (because if one is good, two is better, and if the third is covered in glitter ...) As he unpacked he realized he hadn't read his Home Reader that night. And, then he said these words (very loudly!) "Oh no! I forgot all about my Home Reader! I didn't read it! I was so worried about making Mrs. Townsend's Birthday cards!"

That's right. I became Homework Excuse #107. The dog didn't eat his homework. No sirree. It was all his stinkin' teacher's fault. Don't you love it?!

And, today his mom told me he picked me as his Valentine. Which is why I refuse to promote him to 1st grade next year!

Happy Birthday, Birthday Buddy!

Ten years ago, my sister gave me a birthday present that will NEVER be topped. NEVER. She gave me my very own Birthday Buddy. How do you thank someone for that?

Ben, you are one amazing boy. I have loved you since the moment your mommy called and asked me if I "was sitting down." You are funny, kind, smart, gentle, a great big brother, a super cousin, a writer, and an artist. You make me smile. You laugh at my jokes ... even if they aren't funny! There have been many things you have said or done that will stay in my memory forever. I may have enjoyed my birthday 11 years ago, but for the last 10 years I have looked forward to the day with great anticipation. We will NEVER celebrate our birthday apart again!

Sweet Ben, I pray that this year will be a year that stands out in your memory when you are an old man. I pray that you will continue to be a boy who shows kindess to those around you and a boy who pleases Jesus. May you always know how much you are loved. May you always know that I love you the best ... and, I agree, the best thing you ever did was to be born on my birthday! I love you!

Auntie Tracy (and Uncle Dean and your girl Torrey)

It is your birthday.

Tracy, it is your birthday today, and so I hacked my way into your blog to write this for you. It wouldn't be right, after all, to wish yourself a Happy Birthday, now would it? And in honor of your birthday, I will be partially blowing up 100 brown and gray balloons for you for when you get home! Why brown and gray? They match the carpet, that's why.

On this, the 41st anniversary of your birth, I congratulate you on not dying during the last 365 days. It's quite an accomplishment actually, and you should be proud!

Before I continue, just a quick note to Tracy's "blog followers" - you know who you are - I am hilarious, and what you see here is just a glimpse of how funny I really am. Reason #1 why Tracy married me. There are many other reasons, but that is not the purpose of this post. I'll save those for a future hack.

And now, back to the reason for this message: To wish Tracy a Happy Birthday.

Happy Birthday, Trace! You are an incredible person! I am so glad you've made me a part of your life. These past 18 years and 4 days (since our first date) have been wonderful. You are definitely one lucky lady! :-) Seriously, I'm the lucky one! I love you!

I hope you have a fun birthday today filled with no-Chase (wishful thinking?), lots of laughs, Paulie's cookies (at $3 a pop they better be good!) and a relaxing evening with the people you love. Hey, what's for supper? Just kidding. Torrey and I will be handling supper - à la HEB.

Happy Birthday, Tracy! Which is, of course, what she said.

Love,

Your Husband,

Bob Vance
Vance Refrigeration

Err, I mean, Dean :-)

Waiting for the Next Thing

Torrey's birthday always falls during Spring Break. Well, almost always. Spring Break was one week later the year she turned 9. We started school in August with her gleefully looking forward to spending her birthday at school. She told her third grade teacher on day one she would have her birthday during school this year (oh, sweet Mrs. Bamford ... you still rank as the most amazing first year teacher ever!) She talked about it often. I mean OFTEN! We had big plans for the fun she would have at school that day ... we brought donuts for first thing, I bought her lunch and there was a lunch snack for her friends too ... we went all out. And, then that night she told us how she really felt about her first "school" birthday. She said, "A birthday at school isn't everything it's cracked up to be." Truth from a 9 year old.

My Kindergarteners ask often (OFTEN) "What's next?!" What? Isn't this entertaining enough? I tell them to enjoy this moment because they will never have "this" time again.

And, today, I convicted myself. I, too, am always waiting for the "next thing." I have said umpteen times this past week, He only gets four years. (1-20-13 ... bring it soon, Jesus!) I am counting the days for Spring Break. I am looking at the next camera. Planning what we will do next weekend before we have even lived this weekend. I am waiting to know where we will be. We eat a meal and begin to plan the next one for crying out loud. I started this year with a plan to enjoy EACH moment ... and, here we are, February 10th, and I am sad to say I haven't exactly followed through. I so want to enjoy each moment ... at this moment, Torrey is downstairs laughing and playing with the dogs and you should hear the little one running and panting, panting, panting. And, our girl is just joyful. I want to remember this time. I want to etch each of her last days as twelve in my memory forever, and not wish them away to get her to thirteen and the fun of that day.

I heard a song for the first time in the car this morning and it spoke to my heart ... and convicted me. It is OK to wait for the next thing, but live in this moment. Live in this day. Live in this time. And, enjoy every moment of it. God gave it to you ... because He loves you so.

While I'm Waiting
John Waller

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting
I will serve you
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
yes, I will wait

When You Listen, You Hear the Funniest Things!

I overheard this hilarious conversation today. To set the scene, the kiddos were cutting and gluing some things in number order.

A: This is TORTURE.
J: You mean like Chinese torture?
A: No, just regular torture.

Um, perhaps I should have told you that A. is Chinese.

I Know I Need to Update

I know I need to update ... I honestly haven't felt like it. I am in one of those moods where if I really say how I am feeling it will come out too depressing or may cause me to become an episode of Dr. Phil. Tomorrow is the 100th day of Kindergarten ... hopefully the fun of that day will get me out of my funk. Lord knows it will exhaust me!