Pilot Esther

We flew out of the DFW airport on Wednesday. Fortunately, the trip through security went really smoothly, especially seeing as I was by myself with the kids. (Unlike the time Nathan tried to bolt and Esther held him by the neck until I could drop what I was holding to separate them!) We got to our gate where the worker told us to wait until everyone else went through the line as she had to switch our seats (something about the number of oxygen masks since Nathan is still a lap child.) So, being the very last ones on the airplane, we had a moment waiting by the cockpit while others were getting into their seats. The pilot invited Esther and Nathan to come up and check out all the buttons. They were fascinated and Esther declared she wanted to fly planes when she grew up.

The best part was that the pilot handed Esther the microphone and invited her to welcome everyone onboard.

She happily obliged. In her cheery voice she said, "Welcome aboard!!"

The pilot chuckled and told his co-pilot, "Oh, the FAA is going to have a hey-day with that one!"

Of course, as we walked down the aisle, Esther was pretty pleased with herself, especially as everyone was telling her what a good job she'd done. I was rather embarrassed but secretly so proud.

Did I mention how difficult it is to take two toddlers into an airplane restroom? Yikes!

Chalkboard Frame

Here is my latest project!

First, I found a large frame at the thrift store, removed the glass, and painted it white.

Next, I cut out a piece of chalkboard contact paper (thus far I have only seen it online).

Then I attached the paper to the cardboard backing that came with the frame. I think eventually I will find a heavier duty cardboard or better yet, a light wood to cover. It will make writing on this easier. You can also use chalkboard paint. I'd like to try that, too, sometime and see which I like better.

Finally, put the new chalkboard into your frame, hang on wall, and write! I used some chalk markers. They look like markers and wipe off somewhat like dry erase markers.

Esther was very excited about this project. Can you tell?

You could use any size frame and use it for all sorts of purposes.

Sail Away

Last night we went sailing with Daron's brother's family out of Kemah, TX. We ate salmon that we'd cooked on the little grill at the back of the boat. We watched the sun go down. The weather was gorgeous! I even let the kids stand at the bow of the boat with their Daddy aand cousin Emily. They wanted to climb all over the boat - not caring that the boat was keeling far to the side or that Mommy was begging them to please hold still until we straigtened out a bit.
Nathan loved holding the wheel (it was on autopilot). As I said, the boat was keeling so he'd hang on to the wheel for a moment, then start sliding towards the side. He'd laugh and climb back to the wheel and do it all over again!







The only bad part about the whole thing was that we docked around 9:30pm and while Daron was helping clean the boat up, Emily and I took the kids to the car to change into pjs for the ride back to Katy. Unfortunately, I stuck the diaper bag in the car with the keys in it. Then Esther locked the car. Then someone came by smoking so I shut the door so it wouldn't get in the car. I did't know Esther had locked the car. So... we waited for over an hour for someone to come unlock it for us. Nathan was freaking out (he hadn't napped on the way down) and just wanted his blanket and to sleep in the car. He couldn't understand why we just kept standing around in the parking lot! Poor kid. He finally fell asleep on my shoulder right before the lock guy came. Esther crashed just after we got in the car. What a night!

Mother, I Love You

My Mom is a farmgirl from Montana. Growing up, I loved hearing stories about her seven siblings and their wild adventures of farm life. Of course, as a child, you don't always appreciate a mother that knows how to work hard (and work her kids hard) but now that I am a mother and have my own home, I am so happy for what she taught me about keeping house.

Except for my first year of Girls' Camp, Mom and I always prepared for and went together. I was so proud that my mom could build the best and biggest fires, and that she had a great sense of humor when she let loose.

Mom drove us around to a bizillion activities and came to all of them. She was so supportive in all my time-consuming activities. She was a stay-at-home mom which I really came to love. When I was sick at school, she could pick me up, when I came home, she was there to greet me. She got up every morning to make lunch for us - and she got up early as we had a religious class that met at 6am!

Mom is a beautiful example of service. When our friends were in need, she mothered them and gave them advice. There was an elderly couple on my brother's paper route (which she eventually took over) who needed help when the husband became ill. She helped Mrs. B with the funeral, took her on errands, helped her when she became ill, was a good friend, and after her passing, helped take care of her arrangements. She is always serving and giving of her time to help those in need.

Mom loves to send care packages. At college, during my mission, and even now we get little packages with goodies, socks, or sale finds. Each package is a token of her thoughtfulness and love.

I love to see her as a grandmother. She adores her grandchildren and loves to spoil them. She and my Dad travel a lot to see their seven grandchildren who are spread across the country. She gets down on the floor and plays with them and learns the ins and outs of all their different personalities. She talks on the phone with them and listens patiently as I prompt the kids to sing their newly learned song or say their new word, or just listens to them jabber about nothing in particular.

I am so thankful that I can talk to my Mom daily and ask for advice or if she wouldn't mind if I sent my children to her by Express Mail for a month. She just laughs and reminds me that she's already been there, done that. When we get together, we stay up late and talk, go shopping, and generally don't get the things done that we wanted to get done. But we have fun together.

The older I get, the more like her I become, but somehow I don't mind so much anymore. I hope I can become more like her because she is a wonderful, strong woman that I look up to very much.

Thank you, Mom, for all that you are. I love you.

Family Pictures

Here is a preview of our family pictures we had taken last Saturday. I think they turned out wonderful! I especially love the pictures of the kids - they are so photogenic!

http://melissafullmer.com/blog/s-w-e-e-tdallas-family-photographer/

(You'll need to copy and paste it into your browser.)

Couches!!

Many of you have followed the couch saga. Well, we got out of loan debt, saved our pennies, and now we have two new couches! They are very comfortable and were worth the wait. The funny thing is that while talking to the sales lady during our several visits to the furniture store, she kept asking why we didn't just order the couches as they offered zero interest for 12 months. I had to keep reminding her that we were planning on paying in full once we'd saved up the right amount. I guess not many people do that anymore. But what a satisfying feeling it was to pay it all and not owe anything on them. Here's to inspiring you to do the same!



They are actually a little more golden than it shows in the picture.

Christmas Tree Shop!!!

For those of you who have spent any time in New England, you may have heard about a chain of stores called The Christmas Tree Shop. When I was younger, there were fewer of them and our trips to Cape Cod always included a long stop at CTS. Several years ago, they opened one closer to my parents' house. You can guess where we head every time I visit home...

The store is similar to Garden Ridge, but the merchandise moves quicker. One week you see toddler sized camping chairs and two days later they're gone. That kind of thing. Seasonal decor comes and goes, but they always have dishes, candles, cards, hair things, snacks, mirrors, lamps, curtains, etc. etc. Great fun and awesome prices are always to be found there.

So imagine my delight when I was driving around north Dallas the other day and saw a huge billboard that said, "Coming Soon - Christmas Tree Shop! Don't you just love a bargain?"

YES!!!

The store is opening this summer. So my dear friends who live in the Dallas area - we are going to have to make some trips and allow me to introduce you to one of my favorite stores.

Tell me about your favorite store!