A Beautiful Day

Its Sunday...

Today was filled with church (fabulous as always) and the Circus.

Tuck went with me and loves his Sunday School class. The teachers are wonderful. Last week they had cupcakes for his birthday. They sent him a card that arrived at the house before his birthday. They are great, caring people, and Tuck has fun in their class. He always comes with me into the big service afterwards. They have a great kids program, but he loves to be with me.

We have a band and music that is set up like a concert, light show, big screens and all. The pastor is incredible, and the whole experience is one that we love. One that you would have to come and see to believe.

After church Tuck and I went and had coffee. We picked up Starbucks and went down to the Red River. We went down and sat on the dock by the boat launch by the river. We talked. Talked about everything, and watched boats speed past.

After our talk, I took him to the Circus. His football coach invited the whole team and 10 of them showed up. He had a very happy day.

Tuck is so very happy. He loves it that my life is all about him. For once he is the center, not on the outside of my world. I cherish every moment that I had with all of the big boys, but I love these days too. They are quieter, with time to breathe.

Tonight we are preparing ourselves for the week. Laundry and house cleaning. I feel very peaceful though, I am in my room, looking out at the pool, just thinking.

I have always known that if you want life to be different then you need to do different things. You need to create the life that you want. I am going to re create my life, again, starting now.

I have rented out the house. It is a rent to own, and they are going to begin the repairs immediately. The house needs big things (like 2 bathrooms redone) and although I keep saying I will get to it, I just don't have the time right now. I am leaving toward the end of October. I am selling almost everything and moving into a much smaller rental town house with my boys. I am very excited to have a fresh start.

I am so grateful for the happy memories that I have had here, but the house is just too much for me. Way to much for just me to maintain financially as well as physically. I am going to stay in a rental for 6 months and then re-evaluate. I will probably buy a smaller (less than the 3000+ square feet we now have) town house in beautiful gated community that Tuck and I have found in Shreveport. It is pretty and quiet there. Everything in the community is very well done. They have pools and tennis courts and quiet tree lined streets. They do the yard work and pool maintenance. I am very ready for a break from the constant work that yards and pools require.

This way I can focus on work, and Tuck, and take way more time out to travel. I have missed all of the traveling I used to do.

This has already begun, Tuck and I are running off to Arizona to visit for Thanksgiving. A week in the sun in Gold Canyon, we are going to be hiking in the Superstition Mountains, having good coffee in quaint shops, and doing a little shopping for the holidays. I can't wait.

I love beginning new adventures, because you never know where they are going to lead you.

Tucks Football

It was so hot today, i was sitting in the stands wishing and hoping to have a cool breeze. No such luck. There was a breeze, sometimes, but it was warm. Yuck. I went for more bottled water at halftime, and put it on the back of my neck. It didnt help.
We won 21 to 0

Tucker played 1st string offense and defense, right gaurd and left tackle.
Iron man position, just like his big brother. He was on the field for the whole game. He has some work to do on defense, but I am as always, so proud!

Tucker & Mitch

Tucker and I in Mitchels car on the way to the game

The winning team after the game.

This is the boys third win, last week the other team had to forfeit (not enough players showed up) so they are definitely in the playoffs.

Tuck loves football, he loves his school, he even loves that we go to church every Sunday. Our church is pretty spectacular, full band and all. Not like any of the other churches that I have ever went to.

Tucker playing defense for the first time for the Cavaliers.

Tucker was so hot right after he got off of the field.

TJ's 11th Birthday

Happy Birthday to the big 11 year old!

His white on white ice cream cake
Monica, Mitch, Snapp & RJ were here for the big event. Snapp surprised me and Mitch by showing up Saturday morning at 5ish am. He stayed for the week, he just left but I miss him already.


I was so very glad to have some of the big guys back home for a visit!
I have missed them sooooo much! Snapp filled the den with his strobe light and smoke machine (green smoke) Tucker was thrilled with the party atmosphere.

Tuck and his friends eating BBQ, followed by cake and a pinata full of candy & cheese its (Tucks favorite)

Tucker and his friends swam in the pool and played so hard. We grilled and had a wonderful evening. The adults visited in the back yard by the pool (with the Tiki torches lighted) the night was peaceful and happy.

Labor Day

We had a fun and restfull weekend at the house. Our days consisted of friends, BBQ's, and laughter. Our lovely neighbors William and Jenny hosted a day long swim party (they have a pool too) and BBQ. It was wonderful as usual. They played Cajun music on the radio and had food everywhere. I am really getting to like Cajun music, its fun and upbeat and is just perfect for parties.

Today we are back to our normal routine, school, work, and football practice.

I am so content today, the house is clean, the pool is clear blue, and I just feel as if all is well in the world.

I get to spend my afternoon with Tuck at football practice, a perfect end to a wonderful day.

Sunday

I am up running around and getting ready for church. Tuck is still asleep while Mitch is off to work already, he left at 3 am (joys of working in the oilfields. I went outside and our puppy immediately showed me what he was up to (snarfing through the outside garbage), he is so cute though you just can't stay mad at him.

Dozer by the pool

We have peppers in the garden, banana and bell peppers!

After church it is a outside work day. Laying pavers and weeding the tomato plants while avoiding fire ant infestations. I got into a pile of them yesterday, it was horrible! They look like black sugar ants but sting when they bite, and once one bites you they all come running to take a nibble. Needless to say I jumped into the pool, you still have to brush them off of you though. They hang on with their nasty little pinchers.

On a happier note Tuck has had the neighbor kids over here since friday, he has had a great time playing with his friends. They have all been out riding bikes, playing computer games and swimming. They demolished an entire pan of brownies that Chloe (my neighbors daughter about 11 years old) baked last night. The house is a wreck but we will get it under control today.

Montana

Tuck loves his school, he is making wonderful friends, doing well in everything, and he won't stop talking about Montana. He wants to live there. With his Auntie CC (and me too) and why can't we just go? Before he is 12 (he will be 11 in 3 weeks) He spent 5 weeks with my sis up there and loved every minute of it. But with views like this I can't really blame him.

All of the following photos are snatched from CC's Blog (go there for more Montana photos)
Tuck in the Boiling River

Tuck hiking to the Boiling River

Tuck and CC at the Grand Canyon

I guess he just doesn't realize when you have a home, and responsibilities, and commitments, and a job, and 2 cats and a dog you can't just up and go.

I am truly no fun anymore. I hate getting old.