Smooth as a baby's butt

Well, I gave in. I let Miss Chloe shave her legs. I was planning on holding out as long as possible, but when we were in Oklahoma I noticed: armpit hair. I about died. So, I told her it was time. And, she began protesting BADLY! I couldn't believe it. She has been begging me to let her shave for almost a year. A few days after we got home I bought her one of those Intuition razors with the soap already attached to the blades. She refused to even look at it. Then, one morning when I was making her bed I noticed she had opened the package and read the instructions. Good sign, it meant we were one step closer to smoother legs. However, not a smart idea for someone who has never shaved. Tonight we had a spa day if you will. She tied her hair in a bun and climbed into a big bubbly bath. And, then she yelled my name. It was time. The Intuition is a good idea for maintenance shaving not for that ever important first time. It was like using scissors to trim back a field of corn or something. She was so cute and nervous. And, I was teary eyed. I couldn't help it. She is gonna grow up whether I like it or not. She can be a turd, but tonight she was freakin' adorable, it must have taken her 20 minutes per leg. If I had continued to shave that slow all these years I might have saved myself from countless cuts and scrapes from shaving too quick. I sat on the bathmat and coached her along. Eventually persuading her to use a Daisy Plus and shave gel. She asked me several times if she was doing good for her first time... aww!
Anyway- I am proud to report that my daughter has hair free, cut free legs. And, she is wearing tights and a skirt tomorrow... Which, might seem odd. But, only if you have ever worn tights or pantyhose and were badly in need of a shave. Those pesky hairs will find their way through those ittie bittie holes in your stockings. Super embarrassing if you are wearing black tights and have blonde leg hair.

Family Pictures

For the first time since before I had Hayden we actually had pictures taken as a family. And, this wasn't Sears or Target. This was with an honest to goodness photographer with an amazing camera, fancy lenses, and lots of patience. Missy, who is good friends with my sister Kelli, was able to snap lots of pics AND see the Myers' family at their best behavior! Hah! They did do better than I thought they would, we only had a few instances of gas passing and one little shoving poking match between Chandler and Hunter with Chloe being caught in the crossfire. Aww, what lovely children I have...

Really though, the drama started before we left. And it was with ME! Due to my recent weight loss I am between sizes in jeans, and being desperate for the same medium blue wash of jeans as everyone else, I bought the smaller size and some Spanx. Well, let's just say that my Spanx squished the excess Ashley up out over the top of her jeans into what resembled an extra row of breasts. I could remedy that by pulling the offensive undergarment over my real breasts and walking slow. Which, with red pumps on caused me to bring to mind images of Peg Bundy. And, I didn't dare even eat a cracker- there was no room. The girl at the store told me they had stretch and would loosen considerably after a few hours. And, they did but I'll touch on that in a moment... So, we go get our pictures taken on what was probably the windiest day I have ever seen. I really thought we were gonna get blown into the nearby canals. But, we managed to get some shots with everyone cheesin' for the camera in between wind gusts. A BIG thank you to Missy for putting up with us and to Chan for providing comic relief (dancing with his shirt off). Sorry about that Missy!

And, now for the rest of my story. After pictures we stopped to see Kelli and her family (thanks to Corgan for even more comic relief which put Aunt Ashley on diaper duty!) which was fun. I wish we could see them more but both of us get super busy what with 7 kids between us! Anyway- we tortured our children further by making them go to Red Robin (unlimited steak fries) for a late lunch. I had only been in that booth for about a minute when I decided the Spanx needed to come off. So, Chloe and I headed to the ladies room where she helped her Mommy go potty, and yes I did need her. She helped me get my jeans off! How fast the tables turn... Then I took off the girdle-y thing and went to chow down. I know how women in corsets must have felt, it was blissful to get it off and be able to eat! Really, I think the Spanx weren't needed after all. I should have just worn the jeans for an hour or so the day before and I would have been fine. Oh well... Fast forward to after lunch and us getting in the van to leave. I suddenly remember my Spanx are still in the booth! So, I make Jon run in after them because I had my shoes off and my pants unzipped. And, there they were dangling between the busboy's pinched fingers.

P.S. go to Missy's photo blog for a sample of today's shots

Friday night at the Factory

Tonight Chloe and Hunter had hair appointments with my friend Israel. Since he is a stone's throw from our new favorite restaurant- The Cheesecake Factory, we stopped there afterwards for a late night dinner and some dessert. We had a ton of fun, cracking up and being goofy. We were all annoyed by the warm bread and frozen butter, which is pure cruelty. So, Chloe stuck her pat of butter in her bra and Hunter put his in his armpit. Yes they were still in the foil and no it didn't work... but it was a good idea. And, did you know it only takes about 4 minutes for 3 people to devour a serving of the 30th Anniversary Chocolate Cake Cheesecake? I kid you not, I think I took 3 bites. Those 2 kids have their daddy's sweet tooth and their mommy's appetite. DANG! That cheesecake didn't stand a chance. It was fun to hang out with my little pre-teen drama king and queen. They can be stinkers, but tonight they were dare I say it, normal?


See, we like each other- sometimes


Me!


Smile! Mom's got her camera out, again!


me, waiting on my 3 whole bites of cheesecake to arrive


DESSERT! Don't ya love the big "30th" in cinnamon?


where do we begin?


checking out the different layers and marking their territory


2 minutes later...


4 minutes later...


Holy Cow, we're full!


P.S. I loooove Chloe's hair. She looks more beautiful than ever. She is growing so fast it's unbelievable. And, no I am not ready for it.

Ashley's not very busy, calm before the storm day...

Today was my last moment of peace before the real craziness begins. I have spent the last week and a half looking for clothes for Christmas cards and endless decorating. So far today I have:

napped! you would too if you were up til 3, up again at 6:45 to get your kids ready for school, and then were left with a quiet house and a warm bed calling your name. I will not tell how long I napped...

then, while indulging in a Lean Cuisine and a cold Coke Zero, I spent 2 hours doing Christmas cards. All I need to do now is slip a family picture into each one and Voila!

made cookies. I only ate one teeny little one. They're not too fancy, just a little festive. Chocolate Chip with red and green swirly icing. Seriously, it was all I could muster. I am saving my creativity for my first ever gingerbread house! I am excited!

I made a Christmas list for me! In case Jon decides to indulge me this year. He always gets me gifts, let's just say I know why the term "it's the thought that counts" was invented.

chores: laundry, sweeping, vacuuming, bed making, and air freshener spraying. All to give off the effect that I slaved all day. When in reality I "spruced" and "fluffed"!

Now, it's 3:00 and Hayden is here enjoying my cookies. Tonight Chloe and Hunter have hair appointments at the fancy salon, they are too high maintenance for Cool Cuts... Basically after this I have about 10 days to get pictures made, shop, volunteer at school parties, bake, eat, sleep, breath and be Super-Mom. Every year I spend so much time decorating and stressing over Christmas clothes and school parties that I end up shopping when it's crazy-nutty out there. Not sure why I punish myself this way? I still haven't learned my lesson I guess? I was talking to a lady the other day (yes, a perfect stranger.) She was mentioning that she had 3 kids and never seemed to have a moment's peace. And, I agree. Back when the kids were younger I felt like I would never catch up until they were older and that I was doomed to be forever stressed. Little did I know that the stress and craziness don't get better. You get more busy and more overwhelmed. Being a mom to older kids is infinitely harder, in my opinion. Ask any mom of older kiddos, it's just a different kind of busy. Back when they were younger there were days at a time when I wouldn't leave the house. Forget cute clothes and makeup. My days consisted of laundry, meal prep, baths, endless breast feeding, snot wiping, toy pick-up, fight referee, nurse, etc. Fast forward several years into the future and a day like today is something I thoroughly enjoy. It makes all the teenage drama, taxi driving, school projects, 2 kids smack dab in the middle of puberty (add in all of the above except breastfeeding) etc. etc. almost bearable. Ok, so I am done jabbering. I need to change out of my pj's and brush my teeth... and get busy on Christmas plans- again.


today's after school snack that will be long gone before dessert

Christmas Decorations

As requested, here is my house all done up for the holidays. I had to do a collage because I am tired and I don't feel like posting and labeling each and every photo. Hopefully you can see everything...

 

P.S. there's more I didn't post, but you get the idea. It definitely looks alot like Christmas and claustrophobia...

Nervous Nelly

I am sure that I am not the only one who has heard all of the stories on the news about purse snatchings, muggings, robberies etc. I know it happens every year, but this year it seems worse. Not sure if the economy has people more desperate or if it's just a sign of the times. I live near two areas (Burleson and Ft. Worth) where the shopping is pretty good. Just about every store you need is right there. And, I am a frequent night shopper. Jon is home to watch the kids, the stores are less crowded and me being a night owl all make for perfect late night trips. I have never been afraid to go out alone, ever. I am always scolded by my friends and family for going out by myself, but I do it anyway. Well, this year I have been more nervous and cautious than usual. I have taken steps to protect myself, such as only taking my debit card and driver's license, and keeping them in my bra or the back pocket of my jeans. I keep my keys on a little strap around my wrist and my cell phone in my jacket pocket.

Well, today I just had the most genius idea: I carried a "dummy purse". I took an old purse, weighted it down with bottles of bubble bath, and a note for any would be criminal. Just in case someone decided to attack. I thought it was funny and smart. Although I am not sure I could have pulled off the acting skills necessary to act mad or scared. Anyway, tonight I took the kids for haircuts and we were gonna meet Jon for dinner. We made it in safely and were paying at the register when the stylist told us that next door at Chili's 2 women were recently robbed at gunpoint. Lovely... I had more shopping to do after dinner and neither of my big boys wanted to go with me. So I reluctantly went alone, and put my debit card in my pocket, my wallet in the sunroof cover in my van, and carried the dummy purse. I went to several stores and was totally safe. Then, my last stop was gonna be Wal-Mart and Payless. Not so fast. I was only in Payless for 2 minutes when I realized that they had nothing I liked or needed. I quickly ran out to my car and go to start it, nothing. I immediately freak out and start manually locking the doors since there was no power. I finally get Jon to answer the phone (after 10 trys) and he came to rescue me 20 tense minutes later. When he popped my hood we discovered that the idiot who serviced the car last "forgot" to tighten the cable to my battery! It could have come loose and died at any moment, like driving to Austin... But, it chose to die in the middle of the ghetto. So, I made it home safely, the cable is tightened, and I am no longer going shopping at night. The End.


the contents of my "dummy purse"


the note I included, just in case


and, just because... today's the 14th anniversary of mine and Jon's first date. Silly, I know. But chicks keep track of this kinda stuff.

Memories...

My mom informed me the other day that my grandma's old house is for sale. And, I would buy it in a heartbeat if I had the $$. We had so many amazing memories in that house. My grandma (Bertice) was one of the kindest people I have ever known. She drove the yellow Ford pick-up truck (that Jon drives now) until she passed away at the age of 88 in 1997. She welcomed anyone who came to visit with open arms and a full cookie jar. She was just a really neat person with a heart of gold. I still miss her terribly, although it's been 11 years since her passing. I can still remember they way her house smelled and the sound of her voice. The day she passed away is still fresh in my mind. It was July 18th, 1997 (at 6:42 p.m.) that we got the call... I was due to deliver Chloe any day and I had plans that evening to see a movie with my mom- to keep my mind off of the heat and my growing belly. While we were getting ready to go to the theatre my grandma's neighbor called saying her paper was still in the driveway from that morning and that she wasn't answering her phone or door. Highly unusual, but we were being cautiously optimistic, thinking she was ill or that she simply couldn't hear the phone. I offered to go check on her, but my dad said that he would go and that I could tag along. We got there and her dog Bubba was in the yard covered in pollen. You could tell that he was hot, miserable, and confused. He and my grandma were buddies. We began banging on doors and she never came. So, we broke in through her locked screen door and yelled her name all through the house, checking every room. And, that is when we found her, passed away in her bathroom. Seriously one of the saddest most surreal moments of my life. Although I know I couldn't have saved her, I still wish I had called or stopped by to see her that day. She was anxiously awaiting the birth of Chloe. She was as excited as I was that there was a little girl coming to our family. Seeing her house for sale and recognizing the rooms, although they are changed somewhat is so bizarre. Man, I miss her. And, even though it would be strange and a little bit too small for my family to live there, I would so buy that house if money were no object. Just to keep it in the family.

P.S. And, I am sure only my parents and my sisters will appreciate this, but if you are interested go see the pics of her house here.