Only me...

My luck when it comes to vacations is not always the best (actually probably one of the worst) but in the end it always works out perfectly! Took boyfriend (now husband) to Maui for a surprise birthday trip, sleet storm while biking down Haleakala. My wedding in Mexico, it rained all morning long. Couples get-a-way to Belize, crazy wind and rain while out on our boat. Family vacation to Greece, terrorist attack in London on the way home with both airports closed for 3 days. Spring Break at the Monahans Sand Hills, first rain in 280 days while we were there.

So why did I think this weekend would be any different? Meet the Red Tide. Nothing like camping on a beach all weekend with a massive fish kill and toxic air!

See Jane Run

We have not had rain in ATX for almost 10 months now. Maybe a sprinkle here and there but it was the hottest summer ever, the worst drought since the 50's, and wild fires have damaged hundreds of homes and tens of thousands of acres.

So with a 1/2 marathon scheduled for this morning, I could not curse the rain that caused it to get canceled. I am just upset I was up at 0430, put on a new race skirt, and drove downtown to receive the news. Here is to a wet and dreary Sunday!

Free Range ~ Adventure Mom

We all need a "time out" every now and then and I like to spend mine doing something 1) that is challenging 2) that I can't take my kids to (yet at least) and 3) more on the adventure side of life. When a friend of mine asked me to go rock climbing it was the perfect idea for a time out.

After a quick lesson on the sport and safety we scaled the cliffs, completing 8 climbs. It was not as scary as I was anticipating but I think I will be sore in the morning!

Bless Our Pet

Along with dozens of dogs, quite a few cats, and a hand full of bunnies we took our 3 fish up to church today for the annual pet blessing. Were were the only fish there but the kids were proud they they each received a St. Francis medal for their tank.

Free Range ~ Independence

Being a homeroom mom of 2 classes, keeping up with the kids, maintaining the house, training for my next race, and a weekly shift at the hospital has kept our schedules full lately. But not full enough that Fran could not meet a milestone...riding on 2 wheels!

I am a huge fan of bicycle safety so I had to chuckle at SafeKids quote: " Because they are not ready to ride bicycles, children under the age of five ride tricycles." I guess they have not my 3 year old yet!

Free Range ~ Responsibility

I have to practice what I preach. After months of begging for a pet, saving enough money to purchase all necessary equipment, and asking to become responsible for something...I could not find a valid reason to say "no" to a Betta fish (or three!)

We discussed all areas related to pet ownership: cost, feeding, cleaning, and unfortunately death. They all agreed they still wanted one so each grabbed their money and we headed to the pet store. The boys decided to share a split tank and Fran got her own. They each picked out their Betta of choice then we came home and prepared their new abode.

The kids are ecstatic and still trying to find the perfect names. Here is to a happy and uneventful 2-4 years!

LaDa ~ 2011

When you have a house full of 7 kids over a holiday weekend, someone is bound to get hurt...but who would have expected 1 urgent care visit, 1 ER visit, and a bee sting to the ear?

Our great friends from the Dallas area came to Austin for Labor Day. Each day's agenda was altered due to the previous day's injury. A head laceration on Saturday changed Sunday's swimming plans to a skate park visit, and the "almost" broken ankle at the skate park left us all home Sunday night watching movies and the Austin horizon of surrounding wild fires.

We did squeeze in Deep Eddy, a few trailer parks, sweet treats at Big Top Candy Shop and Hey Cupcake!, a baseball game at the Dell Diamond, a hike up Mt. Bonnell, skating at the downtown skate park, and a 3 hour visit to Dell Children's ER. Everyone survived and our neighborhood is not in immediate danger of the wildfires yet. So as of now we have a lot to be thankful for!