the not so wee three

This precious girl's second birthday has come and we celebrated with pink cupcakes.

This is how she chose to eat hers.

No hands!

 This one, oh my. She packed her new dance outfit so she could put it on and show me. She twirled and leaped and sat and told me all about starting ballet and tap and the different shoes and colors of leotards for each. Your first ballet shoes are, after all, something to be proud of.

And this charmer, he will snuggle still in your lap for a story or a whisper, but not for long.

not to be confused with cereal

I love this photo.
It's a self-take of Bryan and Andrea on their
honeymoon in Paris
roughly 4 years + 362 days ago.

It is surreal.


sur·re·al: marked by the intense irrational reality of a dream;
unbelievable, fantastic

HOOK 'EM!

SOUPED UP

Aaron discovered this chili while on a camping trip a few weeks ago and liked it so much he asked for the recipe. He had a pot ready for dinner when I got home one day last week, so I have no idea what all goes in it, but the main ingredients are baked beans and ground meat of your choice (Aaron used venison), and some honey. It was delicious and made me want to go outside and sit in a folding chair in the woods behind our house while I ate. The baked bean and honey flavors were so subtly sweet and smokey and yummy. And the heavy spoonfuls filled my belly good. Also, can I just say Ritz crackers are the bomb. I had forgotten how delectable their buttery flakiness is. I had a second bowl of Camp Chili just so I could eat more Ritzs.



We brought a cooler of leftovers home from Thanksgiving in Longview. Turkey...sweet potatoes...corn casserole...green beans...dressing...and this Chicken Veggie soup. My mom packed it for us in case we got burned out on feast food. It's a simple soup, just chicken, broth and lots of earth grown goodness. I had a bowl for lunch two days in a row. It's been raining and cold here the past two days, so having this soup has been nice. Plus, my Momma made it, which is really the best part because it feels like getting a hug from her with every warm spoonful.

HOW TO START AN "E" DAY

photo source: Amanda SG

My Dad is in town for a meeting and took me to breakfast this morning.

I am thankful for a thousand things wrapped up in that hour.
{Not the least of which was the bacon.}

You learn to speak by speaking,
to study by studying,
to run by running,
to work by working;
and just so, you learn to love by loving.
- Saint Francis de Sales

GIVING BACK

This is a little Thanksgiving banner I made for my Momma.
(isn't her kitchen pretty?)

I chose for it to make the statement "Gives Thanks" rather than the directive "Give Thanks" because my Momma has always lead by example.
She's a show-not-tell kind a gal.

And she doesn't need a special holiday or month or season to be reminded to focus on blessings.
She always gives thanks.

ON THE BOOKS

My Mom invited me to go to the Texas Conference for Women with her in Houston last Thursday. It was a fun day together.

My Mom arrived in Austin Wednesday evening, and Aron took us to dinner. We lingered long over conversation, soup (imagine that!) and sandwiches. Aaron even snuck away and returned with a brownie for us all to share!

We took a shuttle bus from Austin to Houston - which was fun because we watched movies and watched the sun rise as we drove through Giddings (one of my new favorite places, by the way, since Aaron and I spent some time there on a recent roadtrip) and the rest of the foggy morning along Highway 290. Then as we got into Houston, at rush hour, we had fun peering down into commuters' cars from our perch in the big shuttle bus. It's a different perspective when you're up that high. Makes me wonder what all those people are thinking about, praying about, fretting about, and thankful for as they drive to wherever it is they're going.

The conference was pretty neat. Isabel Allende was a keynote speaker, and she held a book-signing after her talk. That was special because my Mom and I have swapped Allende's books and both enjoy her writing and stories. At the conference, Momma bought Allende's most recent book, The Sum of Our Days. It's Allende's memoir and I can't wait to read it! She's had an interesting and inspiring life overcoming great hardships and tragedy, but "by no means without humor, mirth and wisdom."

Suze Orman was also among the speakers we heard.

Seeing Suze Orman live was one of those things that's just interesting to experience. She is a smart lady and has some good advice for money management.

What I find fascinating, however, is that even though she is billed as this financial guru - what she is really good at is performing. I don't mean that in a bad way - I just mean, there are tons of other people as smart or smarter than Suze Orman, who will give you the same advice as Suze Orman. But only Suze Orman will give it to you standing on a stage in a hot-pink jacket with her polished, commanding appearance, practiced words and anecdotes, and a flurry of urgency.

To me, her success came not from her ability for money management - but from her ability to be a dynamic leader. I guess that's what makes many people successful - they are so naturally influential and motivational, they can't help but share their interest in a way that eventually makes them "famous" for it.

Anyway, I enjoyed hearing and seeing her speak. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some money I need to defer to my 401K.

ROUGHING IT

Aaron and I spent last weekend camping on Lake Whitney with family. We could not have asked for a more beautiful weekend to be outdoors.

This is how I prepare for a camping trip. Please do note my fancy chef hat, courtesy of Aaron.


This is how Aaron prepares for a camping trip. Also, please do note how Sadie prepares for a camping trip.


As you can see, we take great care of the very important camping preparations. As long as you have cookies and fishing gear, who needs a tent, sleeping bag, folding chairs, or deodorant? Not us! Oh, I'm kidding. We took folding chairs.

This was my first time camping in a camper. It was fun, and the best part was the symphony that happened when most everyone in the camper was sleeping. It was magical.

Some highlights from our weekend: Daryl drank a cup of straight Aunt Jemima syrup on a dare - except he would have done it anyway. Janet bargained with the kids to not talk about poop for at least 20 minutes… no such luck. Trisha wore her high-school letter jacket for the first time ever. Ronnie cooked the meat and was the hero. I got to shake the Bisquick Shake & Pour pancake batter. Aaron caught and cleaned a catfish. Jarod taught us all how to play the deceivingly complex game of Bag-O. S'mores!


We also held a funny face contest. Who was the winner? You be the judge.


A few more pics.

PLAYING WITH A PTERODACTYL

I got to spend one last weekend in Florida with the Robertsons before they move back to Texas. (Yay for Texas!) It was a nice, low-key weekend enjoying the Florida sunshine and one rosy-cheeked little girl.

I am amazed at how much Reid has grown and changed since we last played a month ago. She still sounds like a pterodactyl when she hollers, just like she did when she was a newborn. But it's a very happy pterodactyl. One excited by shiny things and squeaks and rattles. And very very ticklish. If you've never heard a pterodactyl giggle, you should go find you one and squeeze her little legs until she squinches her eyes closed and bursts into a laughing fit.

Then go play dress up with her.

SHE CALLS ME ANGIE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDREA!

This was Dre when I first met her. It was easy to see from the moment we met why Bryan had instantly fallen in love with her.


And now, more lovable and beautiful!


We've had some fun adventures together, and I look forward to many more.


And a Happy Birthday to Drew, too! Andrea came with a boatload of wonderful siblings (here with her twin brother) that have grown into boatloads of wonderful kiddos!

SHARP

Okay, this is SOOO COOOOL! My brother got hooked up with Yellowpages.com to do freelance/contract work for their advertisers who want a short video to appear with their online listing. This is the first video Bryan filmed and produced! It's so impressive and really shows Bryan's talent. He is one of those lucky people who truly has IT. He has that gift, that eye, that talent that not everyone is blessed with. Lots of people can go to school and learn techniques and principles of design and creativity - and do well with that. But when it comes naturally to someone....it is so obvious.

I have a chip in my windshield right now, and I might drive to Texarkana, AR to have it fixed.

SMITTEN

I love this picture of Reid and her Dad. Casey has been head-over-heels in love with his little girl since the moment she was born. Believe me, I was there. I had the privilege of being there during the precious first hours when Casey became a father. And during those hours my heart was filled with so much happiness because I saw what kind of Dad my precious niece was lucky enough to have and I knew that she will be spoiled rotten, not with material things, but with love.


I am so thankful that God gave my sister the perfect partner, and that he made Casey the Dad of one of the most important people in the world to me.

ROCK YOU LIKE A HURRICANE

As if I needed a reminder of how wonderfully blessed I am, my family and friends go and make my birthday weekend fun and fantastic and make me feel like the most special Princess in all of Fairy Rainbow Land. I mean, wow, who knew I could talk on the phone so much in one day?!

My parents came to Austin especially to take me to a birthday dinner, then we relaxed on Saturday morning and headed to pick out a camera. And when I say 'pick out,' I mean that we spent about two hours in the store doing some "testing" of different cameras - complete with control points and placebos. Aaron knew I could be neurotic about things, but I think this camera-selecting incident took it to a new level. In the end, I came home with this cute blue creature that is everything I wanted in a camera, including, but not limited to, good sound quality with the video function. Thank you Mom and Dad!


Saturday evening the Austinites gathered at our house and I was surprised with flowers and Birthday Cake and ZBug says my name! Did you hear? Did you hear? Zbug says my name! She knows my name! Aaannngie. Oh such a sweet sound.

The festivities continued on the Big Day with brunch at Fonda San Miguel, which was quite possibly the most fun place I've ever had a meal. What a spread! And the company could not be beat. Taylor requested that the Mariachis sing Happy Birthday to me. I sang along.


After we sufficiently stuffed ourselves, Megan and I decided to relax with a margarita at Shady Grove then a pedicure. Peek-a-culah! That's for Renee'. The first color I picked up was called "Oh to be 25 again." How appropriate. Done deal.


To finish off the day, Aaron took me for Amy's Ice Cream. Mexican Vanilla with Plain M&Ms, dead.


Oh, but the fun does not stop there! When I arrived at work today this beautiful bouquet was on my desk. Several co-workers all brought in different flowers and put them together. Doesn't it look like a big burst of fun?!

DOUBLE TAKE

I looked more closely at the picture in the Happy Birthday Bryan post and realized - that is RENEE' in the picture with Bryan - NOT ME!! Hahahahahaha! People say Renee' and I look alike, and we see the similarity. But never have I actually mistaken her for myself.

When I figured it out I immediately told Renee' and she said "I have been staring at the picture thinking, 'I thought that was me, but you know, I guess it does look like Angela.'"

So, I looked for some more pictures that I am actually in to illustrate my point and this is what I found.

HAPPY BIRFDAY TO MY BRUDDER

This picture was taken in 2002.
Bryan has changed a lot in his 32 years.
A lot of things have changed in the 30 years I've been his sister.
But the way Bryan and I behave when we're together has not changed much.
I remember us getting in trouble for putting spaghetti up our noses at the dinner table.
That was also in 2002.

Happy Birthday B! I love you!

THIS IS KIND OF BLOWING MY MIND

This picture of Reid and her mom is now among my all time favorite pictures, among the ones that I will always remember and will recall as that picture. My beautiful sister holding her week-old first born, her daughter, my precious niece, another child who has caused me surprise at my own capacity for love.

It's funny how quickly I forget what it's like to meet a newborn; how easy it is to think that all newborns are pretty much the same - they sleep, eat and poop and that's about it. Thinking back to my first experience as an aunt when Aubrey was born, and when I met Pete and now Reid, their uniqueness is immediately apparent; the difference in the way they move their tiny mouth or the sound of their cry. They are each captivating in their own way. God's miracles - before we were even conceived, he knew what would be special about each one of us, he knew the plan for our life and set it in motion. Maybe Reidy's little bird cry will turn into a beautiful singing voice, or her affinity for Pugs will draw her to a life in Chinese Pug Rescue.

Maybe Pete's height foretells aspirations of caring for giraffes, or his sense of humor (yes, believe me, he has one at the age of 4.5 months) will give him the ability to try and fail a million times without giving up before he discovers the cure for disease.


Maybe Aubrey's command of language will lead her to study monkey communication, or her imagination will stretch boundaries into new ideas that change the world as we know it.


Maybe I'm just biased and have great expectations for these children who will carry on my lineage. But one thing is true, God has great plans for us and a new life just starting its journey is a beautiful reminder.

REID NOEL ROBERTSON

She's Here! Reidy is HERE!

She is even more beautiful than we could have imagined. And Renee' and Casey have fallen into parenthood as naturally as a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. Plus they've fallen pretty hard for their little girl. It's easy to see why. She is bright and shiny and has a lovely disposition.

She sounds like a little bird when she fusses - kind of loud, but a pretty sweet sound nonetheless. ;)

Look at her goofing around already. She said, "Hey AuntGi, this is my impression of a burrito. Take a picture!"



Doug the Pug gladly took on his role of Guardian and Protector. He caught on pretty quick that this little girl is something special and that they will be best friends soon. Plus, he knows who is making those dirty diapers, and he wants to be sure she sticks around for a while.



I'll trust Doug to tell Reid daily stories about how fun their AuntGi is and how she'll give you treats without you even asking.

Little do they know, I'd give her the moon and stars.

Reidy, I love you from here to the Sun.

WILL SHE BE LOUD?

Today I leave for Florida to be with Renee' and Casey for the birth of their little girl, Reid! She will be here by next Wednesday, if not sooner.

I am really excited that my Mom and I will get to spend a few days with Renee' before she has the baby. And I am soooo thankful that, so far, things have worked out perfectly for us being there when she goes into the hospital and can be with them through the labor and delivery.

Although I am exploding with love for my niece already and I can't wait to see her sweet face, I am mostly glad I can be there for my sister. It seems like usually, when a baby is born the attention the mother enjoyed for nine months is pretty much immediately shifted to the beautiful new baby in the World, and rightly so. I mean, we've waited with much anticipation to meet this miracle, this absolute gift from God.

But I'm really feeling glad that I will be in Florida in time to sit with my sister through her labor, and hold her hand as others hold her newborn daughter, and be near as her heart experiences motherhood for the first time.

Because we are sisters, and if I couldn't be near her heart for this occasion, my heart would break.

It's only a matter of days now until we meet this precious little girl and discover if she has dark hair and blue eyes? Does she have Casey's nose or Renee's mouth? Is green her best color; no blue I think. :)

And then it won't be long until we'll know... if she's loud.

FILLING UP

I love the summer months. It never fails that our days become filled with travel and visitors, and the time in between is spent looking for deodorant in a half unpacked duffel bag, sweeping a layer of dog hair from the living room floor or going to book club.



Sometimes it feels like regular life gets kind of out of control, my to-do list grows and grows. I get worn down from lack of sleep. The "to be shredded" stack piles up. Leftovers start to mold in the refrigerator.



But I love it.



I love that my life is full of family and friends to the point of exhaustion. Long weekend visits and weeknight dinners; Saturdays at the lake and Sunday afternoon movies; sharing Popsicles and singing Blue Skies and Rainbows, again.



Life is made full by the people we share it with, not a seamless household. Yes, I value taking care of my things, but a shiny kitchen sink has never made my heart sing.



Okay, who am I kidding? A shiny sink actually has made my heart sing. But you get the point.



I can't imagine I will ever look back and say I wish I had spent more time at home relaxing.



I can't imagine I will ever say the hours spent traveling weren't worth it.



I can't imagine that an extra hour of sleep will ever outweigh soaking in a smile I love.



I can't imagine I will ever regret leaving a hamper full of dirty laundry to go play with someone who is growing so quickly right before my eyes.



I can't imagine the sound of housework will feed my soul more than the sound of laughter.



I can't imagine my life without all the amazing people God has blessed me with.