Clinton's Room

When we bought our home two years ago, one of the major selling points was the interior paint job. All of the common areas - downstairs and the stair hallway, and the upstairs hall - are a lovely shade of green. Our room is some sort of textured-looking brown. Our bathroom is a tan color with leaves etched into the texturing of the wall - very creative. Lynda's room is a very pale yellow. Our powder bathroom downstairs is green with flor de lis designs painted on it, and the ceiling looks like the sky with scattered clouds.

Then there was the pink room.

I'm not a big fan of pink. It has its place, but I'm a purple girl. A soft pink might have been nice. This room was painted with Pepto Bismol. From downstairs, looking up, you would see an erie pink glow coming from the door.

I went out of town for the weekend to see Summer, and Craig conquered the Pink Beast.

We picked up a sample of the color we liked and tried it out on the wall a couple of weeks ago.

Before I left, we laid down paper to protect the laminate floor, and then Craig went to town! He had to prime the pink surfaces first so that color would not overpower the color we actually wanted in Clinton's room. There were also little flowers all around the bottom of the walls, so he had to prime that, too. He worked all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, taking short breaks to watch the paint dry in between coats. On Saturday, Ashlee and Parris came over for a little while to help.

Craig did a really good job. He taped off sections since we were using two different colors. The room has a chair rail all the way around, so we decided on a nice green for the top, and white for the bottom. He painted all of the trim, and both doors (to the room and to the closet). The door also had flowers on it.

Clinton's room looks SO good now!!! There are some places Craig wants to touch up, and then we'll pull up the paper and get all of the painting supplies out of the room. (Thanks, Dad, for the painting supplies and tips!!!)

Once we are completely finished with painting (after the touch-ups), we can move on to furniture and decorating. We have the crib in the garage, disassembled, from when Ashlee was a baby (thanks Stacey, Parris, and Ashlee!) and a brand new mattress (thanks Mom and Dad!). We'll also have to put together the dresser we got at Ikea (thanks Frankie and Becky!). Those are the big things. Stacey also has a glider rocking chair and ottoman for us, so we'll need to pick that up as soon as we have a place to put it.

I'll be glad to get the furniture assembled and in place, so we can start putting Clinton's clothes away. You wouldn't believe how much stuff he has accumulated already! We've bought a few things for him, as I suppose parents should, and he has also gotten lots of new stuff from friends and family. Besides that, when I went to see Summer in Fort Worth this past weekend, she gave me TONS of clothes for Clint!!! I'm honestly not sure if he will ever have time to wear them all. At least we'll have more time in between laundry days...or maybe laundry hours...

It is exciting to have a starting point now for our son's room! I can't wait to get it all finished!!!

Thanks, Craig, for all you hard work!!!!

Happy 40th Anniversary to Becky & Frankie Cox

Craig here. I wanted to wish my parents a Happy 40th Anniversary. Becky and Frankie Cox celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary today, March 15, 2009. They have provided an incredible example to my sister, Stacey, her husband, Parris, my wife, Stephanie, and me. My parents have taught us all the value of love, teamwork, and faith.

Friend and Felon Filled Weekend!!!

Last Thursday, Lynda and her precious little boy, Levi, came into town from Estes Park, CO, and stayed with us for a couple of days. Clinton and Levi are very good friends. (They had a good time playing together this weekend, though neither of them are all that aware of the fun they had.) I picked up Lynda and Levi at the airport and took her to Bunko with me to meet some of my friends because I believe that all of my friends should know each other. We didn't stay to play, but we at least got to say hi, and Lynda got to see Jenn for a few minutes.

We had an easy, relaxing day on Friday. I had a check-up appointment, and Clinton is looking good! I really enjoyed having a couple of days to spend with Lynda.

Friday night, around 3am, I woke up and heard Craig and Lynda talking, and when I was awake enough to understand what they were saying, I figured out that there was fighting going on outside. Lynda and Levi were sleeping in the two front rooms, so Craig advised Lynda to relocate the sleeping fellow until this issue outside was under control. Evidently, one of the guys outside pulled something from under his seat that one of the girls told him to put away. We haven't been able to draw a definitive conclusion as to what that object was, but we have a couple of guesses. Craig called 911 and in a few minutes, there were four sherriff cars outside our house. Like any good neighbors, we huddled around the little bathroom window upstairs to watch what was going on. Some of the folks had left by this time, but the officers still had to get one guy under control. With that accomplished, they left one by one, and we hoped to be done with drama for the night. I found out from Lynda the next morning that they continued to talk in the street for another hour or so after the officers left, which explains why Roscoe felt the need to bark periodically the rest of the night.

Later that morning, I took Lynda to her parents' house. Then, Craig and I met up with some friends for lunch. Melissa and Michael came down with a couple of their friends for a wedding in the area, and they ended up staying really close to us, so we were able to hang out for a little while. Craig and I thought it would be a good idea to take them to this great little hamburger place on Louetta. We know the service is generally slow, but the food is good, so it more or less makes up for it. There just happened to be a car show in the Vintage Park parking lot that day, so people traffic was higher than normal. The wait was about 30 minutes or so, which wasn't bad, considering the circumstances. What they don't tell you is: they'll seat you in about that time, but they'll wait a lifetime to bring your food to you. We sat down around 12:45, I think, and it had to be after 2pm when we got our food. We were given all sorts of different stories about why it was taking so long. I really didn't care - I just needed to eat. I had to beg, yes - BEG - the waitress to bring me some food before I passed out. The manager didn't seem incredibly concerned that I am not only pregnant, but also hypoglycemic. Poor Clint!!! If Craig hadn't made breakfast for Lynda and me that morning, I would have been up a creek! We finally got our food, and I promise you, I have only eaten that fast one other time - also in a passing out situation.

Craig and I felt horrible about suggesting this place, especially with these strangers (who turned out to be a lot of fun, and we hope they come back to see us!). While we waited for our food, we debated leaving, how much we would pay, etc. But after so much time invested, we really wanted our burgers!! Also, we kept thinking we would be served any minute now...

The manager said he would adjust our bills accordingly, but that was a mess in an of itself. We felt badly for our waitress because she was left in the middle of this whole situation. Not one of us paid the correct amount, not even with supposed discounts, but that is to be expected since not all of the correct food was delivered. (Btw, thanks for the fries, Tim!!)

I was glad to get to hang out with Michael and Melissa, and to meet their friends, Tim and Stephanie. We had a good time at lunch, despite lunch.

With lunch over with, and mine and Craig's patience with the public worn thin, we decided to go down to Ikea. No people there, right? We took Frankie and Becky (Craig's parents, for first time readers) because they had never been there. It is much like going on a field trip. There is so much to see, and you have to actually plan to go there and spend some time. We wanted to get a dresser for Clint's room, and Clint's paternal grandparents were so sweet to buy it for us.

After shopping, we went back to Frankie and Becky's house to play games for a little while. Then we went home after a loooong day, (and a short night before) and called it a night. It was one of the busier weekends we have had in a while, but all in all, fun. Sunday afternoon, we rested.

Pictures, As Promised...

I added pictures to the two posts below, so be sure to check them out! (That's for you, M-Dog!)

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!!

Craig threw me a surprise party!!! My birthday was Friday, February 27th. I am 30. That night, we went to eat crab at Joe's, and the following night, we were going to go to our favorite Italian place, La Parmigiana. Well, I had a couple of errands I wanted to run before dinner, and while we were at Target, Craig got a call from his sister, Stacey, saying that somehow, she and Parris couldn't find the keys to their car, so we needed to go get them at Valley Ranch, where they had eaten dinner. When we got to Valley Ranch, I walked in and saw a roomful of my family and friends!! (I told you we like that place!) We had a good time, and I got to see some folks I hadn't seen in a while. By the way, my crown says, "It's All About Me" (thanks Jenn!!) Craig had gotten me a pretty purple cake, which, thankfully, everyone ate and we only had a little bit left over. Thank you everyone who came out last Saturday night! I had a lot of fun, and it really meant a lot to me!!!

Here is Royce Congi...

John and Trey, staring down the camera...

And a pregnant belly for anyone who is interested...

On Sunday, my parents came to church with us, and we all went out to lunch to celebrate some more. We do it right in our family!!!

Craig had already given me my birthday present earlier in the week - partly because both of us get so excited about the anticipation of presents. He got me a very compact waterproof digital video recorder. Oh, yes...I said waterproof! It will be so perfect for documenting Clinton's first bath, his first swim, and also some dry firsts. Fortunately, I have time to figure out how to use all the bells and whistles before he gets here! Also, I'll have time to figure out how to share some of those moments with you, our loyal readers.

Thank you, Craig, for making my 30th birthday so special!!! I love you!!!!!

Mourn With Me

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense took the final death blow when the people not only allowed, but cheered as the government took over the banking system, health care and production industries.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers: I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Day Trips

On Valentine's Day, Craig and I hit the road and headed to the Houston Ship Channel (area). We ate at Brady's Landing. They had a buffet, which was nice, but what really made it worth the trip was that there was also a dessert buffet! Give a pregnant womanseveral different chocolate options, and multiple plates on Valentine's Day, and you have made her very happy! (Besides the dozen eggs (of the Cadbury variety) that her husband gathered.) After lunch, we went to the San Jacinto Monument and the Battleship Texas. We didn't get on the ship, since it had started to rain, and one of us didn't want the other one of us to fall on the steep, slippery stairs. But we'll definitely take Clint back there when he is bigger (and born). Craig went when he was a kid, and absolutely loved it! What's not to love? It is a big black ship with cannons all over it!!!

After we left there, Craig took me on a romantic cruise on the Lynchburg Ferry, and then we headed home.


On my flex day last Friday, 2/20/09, Craig took the day off, as well, and we took a little mini-vacation. We slept in just a little, and headed out of town around 9am. We went to Luling City Market in Luling, TX, for lunch. Mmmm...ribs.... From there, we went to San Marcos to do some shopping. We're not big shoppers, so we rely on our annual trip to San Marcos to restock our wardrobes. We both picked up some things we needed, and and few things that Clinton really needs, like an outfit that has a bear hiking, and it says, "Little Camper." How appropriate!! He can't wear it for two years, but it will be waiting patiently for him when he is ready, though I know he will have already gone camping by that time!!! He'll be a pro by then!

After a couple hours of shopping, and maybe maybe just a tiny little milkshake from Johnny Rockets, we headed to Gruene, TX, to eat at the Gristmill. Yum!!! Gruene is a special place for us because that is where we spent a weekend together (with a bunch of other people) when we first started dating. We were both training for the MS 150, and we had a training ride in New Braunfels one weekend. It was on that ride, about 2 miles in, that my lungs and I decided I would not be riding in the actual race in April. Our team captain's sister lived in New Braunfels, so we all stayed at their house and rode out from their driveway for the ride. It was that night that we were introduced to Historic Gruene, Texas. Down the street from "town", there is a little bridge that crosses the Guadalupe River. In "town", there is a General Store, an antique store, the Gristmill (where this kiss occurred), and of course, Texas' oldest dance hall, Gruene Hall. Every time we go to Gruene, we hit all of these places, plus a few others along the way. We try to get over there every year, at least. It is familiar, but far enough away from home to relax and enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed my nostalgic moment. By the way, here we are at the Gristmill on our honeymoon.

We drove back from Gruene that same night. Ok, Craig drove, and I might have slept just a little bit. It was such a nice day, and believe it or not, we actually took pictures while we were there. I'll have to add them later, since I am at work (lunch break) right now. (See, I came through.)