A Real Texan?

 I now own some (used) Real Cowgirl Boots!
You can't get more Texan than that, right?

Does this make me a real Texan?

A Frenchy-American-Texan...
No, I'm not getting the cowboy hat...
I draw the line and will stick with my berets...
Can you ware the 2 together?

How can you not love this?

She wants something...

Regional Dive Meet & Teenagers

The meet was over 2 days.

 They did 8 dives on Friday and 3 today.

Emric did pretty good... 

He came in 7th, among 16 boys, only 0.1 points behind the guy who took 6th.

Last year, there was no way he could have done a meet!

He had that going-through-puberty-awkward-growing-teen-boy thing going on.

He is finally, this year, gaining better control and confidence over his body.

This is all very promising since he has 2 more years of perfecting his dives. 

He's just going to get better and better.

Can we say maybe some college scholarship money down the road?

EVERY PARENTS DREAM

These are all from the meet yesterday.

Because today, Emric forgot to text us the time the boys were starting! 

He texted us when he was done!

We still have to work on the phone thing with him.

We pay for it so we can communicate with YOU, WHEN we need to!

 It's not just for your entertainment!

 

Our Date Night

I craved PHO and Vietnamese Spring rolls.

I love food. 

My man had a fling with a Fish, on our date!
Right in front of me!

The weird looking fish kept coming up to Mike and staring at him.

Wispering sweet nothings, well trying to, since fish can't talk.

He is MINE!
Yep, in all his goofiness...

Cell Phone Saga or Phone Envie?

I have to clarify some misconception that has been out there:

That I use all my kids phone upgrades to get the phones I want...

I've had 4 phones in the past year.

True.

But.

I did not use all my kids upgrades. Only one, Emric's.

For the record, here are the facts.

I had the Evo for over a year 1/2 and used MY upgrade to get the Samsung Galaxy 2

I gave my Evo to Alexi who used his upgrade for an IPhone and dropped it in the toilet.

(Apple is lame that way and does not cover water damage)

A couple months after that, Emric's phone died.

I used his upgrade, the only one, to get the newly released Galaxy 3 

(I really had my heart set on the Note, (I fell in love with it) but Sprint did not carry it)

I gave my Galaxy 2 to Emric, who was very happy for the upgrade.

Then Sprint got the New Samsung Note 2!

So I talked Mike into trading his Evo he's had for over 2 years for a Note 2 and give it to me. 

Come to find out, we can't do that since his phone is a company phone.

So I was very willing to wait for my next upgrade Oct 2013.

But then for Christmas, we got a phone line for Heavena. 

At Mike's suggestion, 

I got the Samsung Note 2, 

Justine got my Galaxy 3,

Hevena got Justine's Evo 4g.

And everyone lived phone happily ever after!

For a while anyhow... 

Well, except Mike who has a crappy phone...

Because he wants to please us more than himself...

He's just like that, he sacrifices so we have what we want!

Except when it comes to ice cream, no sacrifices there!

The End

Ps:
I'm planning on keeping my Note 2, we are very tight together!
Like inseparable tight and 1st-one-to-touch-in-the-morning-and-last-one-to-touch-at-night tight.
Unfortunately those relationships are not lasting.
One will come along better, faster, prettier, smarter, equipped with a to die for camera...
 like maybe a the Note 3?

I never thought I would be such a phone lover!

One of my Favorite Dinners

Had this for Dinner.

LOVE

Pan fried Talipa with quinoa

Kiss The Frog - Amelie in Wonderland

For Always my Valentines

I just love taking pictures! I love capturing moments. 

Freezing them in time, to enjoy and remember for always.

 I love our family pictures, all of them. 

As imperfect as they are, they are us.

I love my family, all of us. 

As imperfect as we are, we are a family.

For always you will be my Valentines.

Happy Valentine's Month!

I also love Texas winters! Just in case I never mentioned it before...

I enjoy them while they last! Soon the heat and humidity will be back!

Typos & Teases

As I write our family's happenings and all, I always make typos and mistakes in my writing.

Because 

#1 English IS my second language.

(Actually, I'm as bad or worst in writing French as I am English.)

#2 I am not a writer and do not aspire to be one.

(Well... I would love to be one of those funny, eloquent and interesting blog writers.
But I know, it's just a wish.)

So my kids, and husband, and some friends who read this blog, tease me and laugh at my expenses. 

I try to fix my mistakes most of the time... 

But some are and will be posted here forever...

So enjoy!

I've had quite the few laughs at my mistakes myself too!

Taste Buds and Picky Eaters!

We got a little snack to validate our Parking Ticket.

Amelie devoured those spicy wings! 

She has always been able to eat spicy stuff since she was a baby!

She would eat lemons without making faces!

I even thought she had no tasted buds cause she ate almost everything!

With the other 3 kids, I was not used to that! Especially with Emric the most picky of them all!

So, when she was around 2 or 3, I gave her a spoonful of salt telling her it was sugar.

Boy did she pull a face!!!! 

Kinda like the face she is pulling in the middle picture of the first collage below!

The test was conclusive: She had taste buds. And I, a happy Mom!

What a pleasure it was for one of my kids to eat such an abundant variety of foods!

It was a mother's dream...

No Camera Shyness...

Yep, She is never shy in front of a camera...

And she looks so cute!

The last five days...

It's not fun, not feeling good.

It just hit me last Wednesday night.

My head was suddenly congested.

No warning!

The only problelm, is I'm not sure if it's alergies or a cold?

So, I've been popping meds and vitamines.

And I've been taking it easy by necessity...

I must have watched 20 episodes of Parenthood!
Actually Mike and I watched 6 in a row for our date night Saturday night!
I've missed one day of Zumba! 

I made my Happiness Manifesto. 

And worked on some photos...

Saturday, I did feel better for a bit, and went with Mike and Amelie downtown the Woodlands.

It was such a beautiful day! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE the Texas Winters?

Amelie had something going on there. (More on that later. Maybe)

I took lots of pictures, I will post them in the next few days...

  

My Happiness Manifesto

I was inspired to make one of these from this blog I like a lot.

I will, for now, put it on my computer screen. 

Then print it out and place it where I will see it often.

Like the potty room or the kitchen.

 I made my own 21 keep joy and happiness inducers.

To use not all at once, but as needed... 

For when the 'D' words start to take over, like:

Doubt, discouragement, discord, downhearted, discontent, disillusioned, 

distrust, disgusted, depressed...

These are tried, lived and tested. They usually work for me.

They bring me joy and happiness.

(These are in no particular order.)

1. Rejoice and Live in the Now

Because that is all we have. The Now. Life is lived one moment at a time. Enjoy.

"Live in the moment and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering" 

Fanny Crosby

2. I can do hard things

With Christ all things are possible.

Hard things increase growth, faith, strength & stretches our soul.

3. Create Beauty

Make your environment beautiful.
Creativity enlarges the soul and mind. Make Beauty all around you!

4. Delight and feast upon the word
Seek, dig, ponder upon the words of Christ. They lighten up the soul. Give direction. Comfort.
Give Peace and Understanding.

5. Exercise the heart 
For longevity and well being. Find what you love. And do it. Move & stretch that body!
We only have one to carry us through our life journey.

6. Peace and harmony in the heart
Keep anger out of your life. When It comes, do not let it fester and linger. Forgive.
"For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of  happiness"
Ralf Aldo Emerson

7. Keep the Vision, This too shall pass.
Our life is but a moment. A Passing.
Everything will eventually pass, and change, and get better in the end.
'If it's not okay, it's not the end'

8. Look Up

Every day, look up towards heaven. Look at the clouds, the stars, the vast expanse...

How small am I? Insignificant. Yet, I am noticed and loved beyond measure. 
Feel the love of God!

9. Serve Someone

Nothing is quite like making someone smile, lifting an other's heart, giving a helping hand.

One cannot serve & love without feeling joy and increase happiness.

Find one in need every day. No matter how small or big the act of love is.

10. Rest

Rest your heart in the stillness of God
"Our hearts are restless until they rest in You."
Augustine.

A well rested body, makes for a clearer thinking head. 

Less grumpiness and impatience with those we love the most.

Sleep. Relax.

11. I am in charge of how I feel. Today I choose Happiness.

I have the power to choose how I feel. Things don't go my way? 

Rain. Clouds. Evil hearts. Wars. Unrest. Disasters.

Others may taunt, tease, disappoint, hurt, ignore...

I control my feelings! They do not control me. 

12. Count Gifts. Notice Tender Mercies

In All things give Thanks.

Gratitude turns everything we have into enough.

13. Listen. Smell. See. The World.

I believe there is beauty in Mother Nature everywhere. Look for it with all senses. Everyday.
A bird's song. A lady bug. Warm rain drops. Spring scents. Taste of a fruit.
It's all a gift to make our life more beautiful and enjoyable.

14. Clean space = Clear mind
De clutter, it invites sanity & clarity of the mind. Think better.
When we clean out things that don't matter, we make room for what does.
"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful" ~William Morris

15. Read
A good book. To expand the mind.

16. Stop and Kneel
When I forgot my morning prayer and it's 3pm.
When challenges arise and I need help from above.
When gifts & joys are noticed.
When prayers are answered.
Thank and Praise.

17. Keep a tender Heart
Soft. Loving. Forgiving. Full of the love of God.
Do not chase the spirit away...

18. Plan my work. Work my plan.
Monday Downton Abbey day. Wed Laundry day. Friday Date with my Man day.
Having a plan helps me not to get lost and get things done.
Whether it is work or pleasure.
Schedule it. It's more likely it will happen.

19. Joyful Music. Soundtrack your work.
Fill your home with good music. Especially on rainy dreary days.
It lifts and encourages to work on that chore you can't get around to do.
It helps me focus on the task at hand. And who can't use more focus?
If I'm on the net being distracted from what I really need to get done,
 I put on my-clean-the-house-playlist and oh, miracle of all miracles,
I get up and do it!

20. Breath Deep. Slow down.
Enjoy the moment, the season you are in.
When things get too fast, too overwhelming.
Breath Deep and Stay Calm.
Life is not a race, but a journey needing to be enjoyed.

21. I am Enough because He is enough. 
In Christ, I am Complete.
Remember that! No matter how much I lack, He is all and everything.
He will complete me and make me whole and enough.

Cyber Bullying in 4th grade?

I got this email from Amelie's teacher today:

"We've had some issues arise in the classroom due to texting amongst classmates.
Thank you for continuing to monitor their cell phones.
Have a great week!!"

Amelie told me that most of her friends have cell phones. 

It's been one of her arguments, why she should get one. 

She does have a Kindle which I feel is plenty enough...

I asked her about what issues were going on in class?

 She said some girl was Cyber bullying at school.

And texting inappropriate stuff; bad words.

They are not 10 yet! Those kids...

What has this world come to?

This! In 4th grade?!?!?

Justine, 

in Junior High experienced a form of bullying, not Cyber though.

She did not let it last long. 

She went to the school principal and told on the boys.

They were disciplined and never bothered her again.

I know it was a hard thing for her to do at the time.

She could have pressed charges against them but didn't. 

The matter was totally resolved with the school and parents of the boys.

I was very proud of her! 

This is a great information web site about Bullying.

Love our Children USA

Saturday Happenings Backwards

 Late evening
I threatened some neighbor kids at Emric's friend's birthday party
that were being very loud, so obnoxious and rude,
 We came to pick him up but waited until the movie they were watching on the patio under a giant parachute adorned with strings of colorful lights, was over.
(So fun, creative and cute!)
I threatened to call the police, after Mike tried to talk to them with no success...
My man is too nice.
I asked for a parent to come out and talk to me.
All she did was peak her head out her back door and told the kids to leave the teens alone...
Really?
They calmed down after I was done with them, though.

Dinner time
 Love sushi. Good for the belly.

Late afternoon
Grocery Shopping in my flip-flops. Love Texas winters! 
Love my reusable shopping bags. Hate it when I forget them!
Why doesn't everyone use them? I hate flimsy plastic bags!

Afternoon
Siblings not fighting. Playing together for 2 hours. Love it. Heaven at home!
I might even sing "Love at home" ? hummmm, never mind. I'm not quite there yet.

Noon
Cutting and freezing French Raclette cheese, bought  in Cincinnati, for when Justine comes home.
I love, adore, cook, crave, and miss french food. 

Morning
Walk in the forest with my man and dog.
Nature. Good for the soul.
Life is good.

District Dive Meet

Emric is getting better and better...

5th Place in District! 

He qualifies for Regionals!

All his dives are on Google+

Way to go son!

Emric had such a good day!

He did well on a make up French test
Made regionals
And was so excited when he realised his school backpack,
which was sitting in a puddle of water, had a waterproof bottom!
It was so good to see him so happy and grateful for big and little things!
He is a great happy kid. Has always been.

Sorry the pictures are so bad! I don't know what happpend I think it was the really intence humidity...

Derby Race

So Mike and I thought we were never ever having to deal with Derby cars ever again.

After 2 boys in cub scouts, that was 8 years of making the darn cars.

We were wrong!

Amelie's activity day techers at church had the great idea to have their girls participate in a Derby race.

She did pretty good. 

Came in 3rd place.

Amelie and her iGroovy Derby car.

At the end of the race, Amelie asked

"Next time, can oncle Laurent come Visit?"

She heard how awesome he is at making these little cars fast

He was in town a few times Alexi and Emric had to make them.

He would spend hours on them making them perfect!

The winneres freindly race.

We're Thinking About The New Year

The best part of last year...

The best part of school last year was Round Robin
(Round Robin is the day they go to each classroom and have games each class created)

If I could do one thing again, it would be...

I would probably want to go to Ohio and play in the snow with my friends.

This year I can't wait to...

Do the Benchmark to get over it.

This year I want to...

be able to get a snowcone for never ever absent or tardy.

My goals for this year...

My goal is to reach level 10 in Gynmastics 

(the highest level)

Amelie

Up-Coming Life Changes

Remember when I thought Mike's bad news was that he was losing his job?

Well, he is.

He has until the end of February to find a new one.

I'm Okay

Because he is okay and very optimistic.

"I'm at the prime of my career"

He says.

I hate the economy right now! 

Taxes are going up for EVERYONE not just the rich like 'some' promised.

Companies are tightening their belts.
Oh, how I wish Mitt had been elected!

But I'm grateful.

This job was supposed to be over last June.

This is part of being a Contractor.

It was to be expected.

But the unknown can be so unraveling.

A lot of "what if's" quietened by some "It'll be okay"

Back and forth.

But forward in faith, faith in God and faith in my good man,
who has always provided for our family.