Miss Kendyl

Miss Kendyl (far right) -- the busiest 7th grader around. Our youngest has got her schedule full of fun...Monday's you will find her on the volleyball court volleying with the A Team. Tuesday's she puts on her cheerleading uniform and cheers at the 8th Grade football games. She has become a quick change artist with school days starting everyday with athletic gear, then regular school clothes, cheer practice clothes, and back to school clothes...then there is that volleyball uniform for game days. I always wondered why the girls from 7th grade on up chose to always sport a ponytail, well with lives this busy who has time to fuss with hair do's!

While Kendyl is making the best of her chosen activities along came her being elected as choir President! What? We made posters for her to run for 7th grade VP and she comes home as President?? And as Pres. one of her duties was to MC the Teacher Talent Show on Friday in front of the whole school. WOW! Her grades have made her a pick for National Junior Society and her big personality got her pulled into Student Council. When I ask her okay don't you think you are filling your plate a bit full her answer was I don't know how to say 'no'. HMMMMM....starts young I guess.

We couldn't be prouder of our baby and her drive to try everything. I just hope her boundless energy will help her keep up with all of it. It exhausts me just thinking about it.

It's Nic

It's Nic...My gamer boy has been busy this summer growing, and growing, and growing! We got together recently with the Texas cousins and Nic could finally put everyone in check on being the tallest...his big prize, he could finally look down at his Aunt Wendy! Everyone got a good laugh at him when he threw down that the only person now to catch was his Uncle Scott...wonder if he will make it?

Remember how Nic was timid to drive the Tahoe? Well because the BMW is still sitting dead in the garage Nic was forced to never drive, or get behind the wheel and master a bigger vehicle. Guess he decided freedom to live was worth conquering his nerves and I must say I love having another driver to run errands and such. It always brings a smile to my face as Nic and Kendyl skip out the door off to get a treat or rent a movie. These two kids have had a long summer being cooped up in the house while Rand and I are off at work. (this is the first summer I have worked since Riehle and Nic were toddlers). I am really proud of these two that they have tried to make the most of it and not much complaining and they haven't killed each other! :)

Nic has found his way back to the soccer ball! His buddy Felipe got him running the ball with his indoor soccer team this summer and Nic is loving it. Nic has been out and about every night with his new group of friends and sounds like they all have a love for soccer in common, the boys and the girls. I am just thrilled to see his bright smile of loving life and having FUN again. He had gone through a rough patch with his previous groupies but I must say this group is awesome. Not the stuffy status climbing wanna be's from before, but kids who are just about laughing and playing and having some FUN! It's hard to watch your child get hurt by childhood friends lose their trust in friendship and shut themselves off from the outside world. I am so thankful that things worked out the way they did and my Nic is very happy again.

Nic will be a JUNIOR in high school this year...and we laugh with him how we can't believe it! This should be a fun year to watch him grow, change, and live life as an upper classman..Time flies with these kids and we better enjoy them being around while we can right?

Riehle Update

I have to confess this is an older picture of Riehle but when I went looking for a pic all I can find is him posing with different girls on his arm...we could make a HUGE scrapbook of Mr. Ladies Man and his millions of girl---friends, they all just love the guy.

Update to Riehle these days is he was promoted to a weekend GM and moved to a new LA Fitness club. He was really sad to leave his other club and all his friends he had there and at first it was a hard change. Further to drive, new people to work with and this club has been struggling for business. But in true Riehle fashion it only took him a few days to dig in his heels set his sight on achieving the best and he got to work challenging himself to make this club the best. Now he is loving where he is at, loves that he has a bigger responsibility and we are watching him grow into quite a manager & salesman and are so proud of him for not giving up or getting down. His old GM asked him just the other night if he requested him back would he come back...but Riehle said he would probably turn him down, he realized it was just too hard to work with someone who had become such a good friend and he still has his eyes set on becoming the youngest GM LA Fitness has ever had so he likes turning his new club around. Crossing our fingers for you Ri!

Another change since the prior posts is Riehle has a new girlfriend. It is really hard as a parent to watch these kids struggle in love...a lot of drama I forgot went on when you are kids. Those high and low emotions that tear at your heart watching your son hurt and wonder if he is making the right choices to move on or not. But we just want Riehle to be happy and looks like he has found that...we all are having a lot of fun watching this new relationship bring smiles to the Riehle's world. And Alyssa has won over the Nic and Kendyl because she is all about spending time being around the family. I am just thrilled they are all having fun together this summer.

Well the words 'move out' are back...Riehle is restless and ready to move on and I think it may happen soon. About a week ago he kept talking about it and how he just needs a change. We tried to talk him into just repainting his room and changing up his space but that isn't going to do it. He came home yesterday telling me he found a roomate and I must say Eric is a good choice and they are talking about saving up some back up money before they take the plunge. We will see how long that lasts...I think they are beyond ready. Riehle asked Rand what color would he be painting his man cave when he leaves, little do they know I am going to leave the room empty and just hang a sign on the wall that says "Riehle was here".

Blog - Blog - Facebook?

Wow, have I been away from the blog for a while...over a month really?? Oh, who really cares...well I guess my kids do :) Seems they check out if mom has been posting anything about them. lol Well I apologize to anyone out there that stops by anymore and please know that I have some pictures and will try to do some posting in the days to come.

But first let me tell you where I have been. I got sucked into Facebook! I KNOW! I did fight it for a long time because Facebook was for the kids...right? Shoot I just got into the Blogging world...I am always one of the last to get on board with the latest craze. And with Facebook the only reason I finally took the plunge was because of work. Aflac created a real buzz within the ranks and my boss decided to set up a FB page for the Region and wanted me to help him maintain it. So I decided I better go figure this thing out for myself first and 'bam' I was nose to the computer having a fun time seeing what this new world was all about. My kids were NOT happy that mom had a facebook page! "All you OLD people getting into our business" -- then the next thing you know my kids are all about showing me how to work FB and then they unleashed the beast! Farm Town! At first I enjoyed that I could play some type of computer game and didn't suck at it, then I loved ticking Nic off as I kept leveling up closer to him. He is so competitive and having anyone be better then him in a video game was NEVER going to happen. So I set out to sneak attack him and in my quest I found that this little game was quite a relaxer for me. I mindlessly lost myself in clicking away at the computer and chillin' after work or early in the morning while I tried to wake up. Since then I have passed up Nic, frustrated him into not playing much anymore, and have everyone teasing me about "farming". I must say I created an awesome looking farm in my relax mode, but will have to look for a new past time. Riehle was teasing me last night that I was addicted to Facebook and quietly stalking people's lives. I will admit I like having friends that I communicate with on my time...and how fun has it been to hear from past friends and see where they ended up.

Bye Bye Flute

Kendyl on her way to her final band concert. In middle school it is a hard choice of what electives to participate in and Kendyl had a really tough time as she wants to do all of them. But after many agonizing days of pondering her future she settled on cheerleading & choir. She was sad to say goodbye to her flute but hated the pressures band brought too. They are extremely competitive in the band world here in Texas even in beginning band. And after asking around to the 7th/8th grader kids and parents we were told that it gets even more intense and to run away now if you can. Her flute teacher kept at Kendyl every day to convince her to stay on in band, even having her try out for the honor band and bashing her pursuit of cheerleader. Well Kendyl made the cut for honor band and got totally turned off by her teachers cheer slams. So she is on to do the two things she loves more than anything...dancing and singing. Go Kendyl you are a very talented girl who can do whatever you put your mind to. And I love your final choices as dancing and singing were my two greatest loves too. Can't wait to watch you at the football games this fall!
Kendyl at her first concert back in the fall. She was a natural from the very start.
That is Kendyl's best friend Kyra sitting behind her in the left corner. They both are not returning to play flute next year. Also, hates the band competitive pressures.

Look At The Cute Babies

This is our Sunday morning fun lately...feeding the geese. When we first moved to this house a small group of geese showed up at the neighborhood pond and everyone thought it was so cool. As the years have gone by the group of geese has grown with each years batch of cute babies. But watch out mommy and daddy come at you with wings full span if you approach to close to their little ones. I couldn't quit laughing at Rand and Nic as they would go running when one of the parents would go after another geese who tried to take babies piece of bread. Kendyl always made sure she was behind her dad or brother to block the attack.

A Week House Sitting Across The Street

The kids with Petey the parrot...noisiest bird in town. This little guy kept ringing his little bell all night long to alert the kids he was under the night cover. He is quite the talker too. After a week with him the kids no longer thought he was cute in any way.

Nic was asked to baby sit the kids across the street for one week while the parents were away to California. He even had to sleep over there! There are three kids...Boomer and Sunny are the two most spoiled labs I have ever come across. These two for after dinner snacks eat 'ice cream sandwiches'. How funny is that? Lucky the kids ended up out of school for the swine flu because Nic and Kendyl slept on the couches over there for the week and at the end of that week were SO EXHAUSTED. The night they returned to their own beds was so funny...they both collapsed and burrowed in saying "I love my bed...I love my bed".

Thank goodness they get these moments because it keeps the wishes for a big dog at my house away that much longer. The kids loved on our "little" Emmett when they came home saying how sweet a little dog was. lol

Back to Routine FINALLY

So things are back to routine again...finally after all the Swine Flu hoopla.

Of course that little hiccup in the school's schedule brought on a busier schedule for Kendyl. More cheer practices were added, more band practices before school added, stress over a school project because her tutorials were taken by band practice and she missed time to work on school equipment for project. But she made it through! The spring band concert was on Thursday and they sounded awesome! What a difference from the first concert in the fall with squeaks and squawks and 'Mary Had A Little Lamb' over and over. This concert was beautiful music pieces so muuuucccch improved. And our baby girl looked beautiful all dolled up in her Sunday Best. (pictures will follow when Riehle gets them to me)

Nic decided he wasn't going back to school for those first two days they called them back from flu break. He said the days would only be filled with watching movies and he was right. He didn't miss a beat of school work, sad to say...how can you move on with school work when the District announced that anyone who missed would be granted an excuse absence. So I am sure you can guess the attendance numbers those two days! Nic has found a new past time -- Farm Town on Facebook. A few of us have caught the bug in the neighborhood...yep even a few of us mom's. Of course Nic is the Master! Nic has been back at the applying for jobs, wish his prayers would be answered and someone would give this 16 year old a break and let him work. His goal is to work all summer and save up for a car...but jobs are so hard to come by right now for kids.

Riehle finished up his first year at college, took his last final Friday...whoohooo!! He has now decided not to take a couple of classes over the summer but to spend his summer months banking money and playing with his friends. Good choice kid! I know bad mom...but I say have fun and Love Life! Sometimes my oldest works to hard and forgets he is just a kid.

Rand and I continue to ride share to work and for now it is working. Rand's district is getting busy and Rand's schedule is filling up quick so hopefully lots of money comes with a full calendar and we can get a second car back in the rotation soon. Here's crossing our fingers the money tree will grow again in our back yard :)

School to Reopen Thursday! Not Monday...

So today about 5:00 pm the kids come storming in saying the neighbors just got a call from the schools saying that the school district has decided to re-open Thursday! So I check emails and sure enough this is the message... 'Due to today's recommendation from the Center for Disease Control and the Denton County Health Department, Lewisville ISD will reopen on Thursday, May 7th'.

What a disorganized mess! The kids of course are bummed, I am sure many of the parents out there are thrilled...I have mixed feelings only because I started making plans to do something with the kids on my day off Friday. Oh well we are at the mercy of the schools... The emails have already begun to fly from organizations like Kendyl's cheerleading coach trying to see if all cheerleaders will be back to school so they can resume practice on Thursday after school.

Closing Schools

Well the Swine Flu has taken its hit here in North Texas. On Thursday an elementary school right down the street from us closed with one flu case discovered. Fort Worth, to the west of us closed their entire ISD...all schools doors shut! We wondered when the domino effect would reach our kids school and Friday late afternoon it happened. The emails came a flooding in asking me to send out an email blast to our middle school families on the Breaking News. (for those that don't know I am the newsletter chairperson for Kendyl's school and I do all the newsletters and a weekly email blast out to the Mustang families) With 3 cases now suspected from that same elementary school they decided it had to be done.

As soon as the kids were out of school here came the text and phone calls from my two very excited kids...Nic telling me 'told you so'. He said that earlier in the day one of his friends was told to go home because he had siblings that went to the elementary, so he knew it had to be coming. So my kids are out of school all next week and will NOT have to make up the time off. Glad my kids are older, don't know how all these working parents are going to deal with kids home for a whole week.

Cancellations are rolling in from every direction...field trips, year end concerts, and sporting events are having to be rescheduled. Bet this is a crazy time for the teachers trying to make arrangements again for buses and hoping the facilities will have another day open. This should make for fun email blasts for me... Kendyl's volleyball season was coming to an end with the final tournament scheduled for today. But that got cancelled and because it was so late in the season they will not reschedule and her team ended up taking 2nd place. To bad too, they probably would have finished in First Place if they could have got to play offs. Kendyl took the news well, she said "what do you do, we still will get a trophy for 2nd". Gotta love that kids attitude.

I bet the companies that make the sanitizing gels are going crazy with the amount of product they are turning out right now. The kids said their schools had bottles all over the hallway, every teacher would greet you at the door coming in with a squirt, even cafeteria helpers were posted at doors to issue a pump of cleanliness. Nic came home the other day saying that he will never use the railing going down the stairs ever again. He watched the janitor take a white cloth, spray cleaner on it and wipe it down...cloth was black...he was disgusted and amazed and all about washing his hands several times a day. I think I am going to do a white cloth object lesson in his bedroom see if I can get him to clean it while he is home this week. lol

Now we sit and wonder if this flu will close the colleges. Morgan (Riehle's sweetie) says there are whispers at her school that they will close and send everyone home early for the year and finish up final exams online. This should be interesting just what turn this whole flu will take.

Counting our blessings that we all are healthy here at this house.

It's The Simple Things

You know when you think things can't get worse...vision this...Rand driving me to work, clacking sound from Tahoe as we start up from each stop light....uggggggggg! Rand drops me off and drives straight to auto shop to be told that it is the TRANSMISSION! "Don't drive it another foot"... How can the tranny gods strike twice at one house?? Rand gets the shop people to drop him back to my office, Riehle comes by after his college classes and picks Rand and I up to finish working from home the rest of the day. So we split to our seperate offices and dive back into work but really sulking about yet another kick from this game called life.

So now a couple of days have passed and we have hiked up our boots and moved on and lucky that we have got back to really appreciating the 'simple things'...

• A family member that has always been there to help out in time of great need! Always looking out for this family and so many others...a big, big heart!
• A husband that picks up a 12 pack of his wifes favorite Diet Dr. P and realizes it isn't cold so grabs a 'single out of the fridge so that she can have a little comfort as soon as he arrives home. How simple but so sweet!
  
• Watching Nic and Kendyl stay positive and supportive to one another as they tackled the TAKS tests all week. Seeing them collapse on the couch every day after school together and get lost in a show to release from the pressure.
• Seeing Nic in an unusally happy morning mood and realize it is because he spent the night across the street all by himself with the two dogs he is tending for a week. This is BIG because this is one kid who doesn't like hanging out alone at night...and he did it!!
  
• Participating in the City elections today by going to vote wtih Rand and Riehle...and watching the workers amazement as this 18 year old took interest in trying to make a difference.
• Seeing my three kids run across the street to go play and run the neighbor dogs...all smiles and giggles on getting time together since it is Riehle's day off. Nic and Kendyl love it when he is around. And we are very lucky that these kids like each other so much...not many families get to enjoy that.
  

So all in all when life seems to have kicked you down it never amazes me how much 'It's The Simple Things' that make it all worth while!

Wit's End!

How do people do it? How do you keep your wits about you when everything is coming at you like a tornado? We have had multi problems with the BMW lately and Rand has been successful at fixing all of them and keeping it running without breaking the bank. But go back to last week and I arrived home after a hectic Monday to hear these words "I got in the BMW and tried to put it in reverse with no luck...it's stuck in the garage." I couldn't take another word and had to walk away! When I was finally ready for the rest of the bad news it turns out we are probably looking at transmission problems....UGGGGGGGG! When we dealt with this on Riehle's Mustang a couple of years ago it was a $3500 fix it job...How many more financial woes can we handle? Needless to say we are playing carpool in the Tahoe until we figure this mess out and it hasn't been fun.

Kendyl's schedule keeps us busy taxi driving her around to volleyball, dance, and cheerleading the girl is talented but very tired by bed time! She also finds time to practice her flute and took back her 'first chair' position a couple of weeks ago (out of 15 girls) her 6th grade band competed on a District Level and they earned a 1st place, outstanding ratings, and The BEST Beginning Band in the competition. GO MUSTANGS!

Nic recovered from his fence building aches and pains by exercising his thumbs on his XBox for hours on end. He actually has been trying hard to prove us all wrong and walk away every once in a while from gamin' to get outside and play some basketball or maybe even change his TV over to a movie. What else do you do...getting a job in these times is tougher than ever for a 16 year old, since all the adults have been eating up any job opportunities out there to feed their families. And the rule at our house is we will match your $ towards your first car. No job, no $, no car...And for now we are 3 drivers, one car! Yipeeee....

Riehle is doing fantastic! He is one of those people who makes life look easy. College -- no sweat, working full time -- piece of cake. Even finds time for friends and fun! He just got back from a trip down south for a weekend of Texas State College life...hanging out with his girl Morgan and some of his buddies. He did admit to me that this time he was really liking the no responsibility college life...but then again...he likes making money and really doesn't see himself giving up that anytime. Go Riehle...wish you all the success you can handle.

Rand and I celebrated another anniversary, that would make it year #23! Our celebrations consist of smiling at each other and thanking our lucky stars we are treading through this life together with our best friend. Life has it's ups and downs but together it will always be okay. We ended up at Wendy's house for dinner and a family gathering. Stephanie (Wendy's step daughter) was in town for a visit and we finally got to meet her hubby! What a cute couple! It was so fun to be together with the whole family again...we haven't done that since the Cowboy's hung up their cleats for the season. Even Riehle made it out after work to make the group complete. Wish we all didn't have such busy lives and could play more.

Okay, time to get off the computer and get back to reality and go fix some dinner for the kids! Until next post...

Family That Plays Together

We did get some fun family time into our Easter Weekend. Even Riehle and Morgan stuck around to join in!! We colored easter eggs, pulled out the washer boards and played several rounds of washers over the weekend, we rented movies and had some good quality family fun. Rand put on his cooking hat and turned out some fabulous dinners for us, even while he was busy building fences, and working on his BMW...Rand you are the master! (or was that Nic playing washer boards, lol) It was a very productive weekend for the Simkins along with a great time as a family...and I even caught up with the house...spotless...for a minute :) Thanks Kendyl for helping your mom during commercials. (smile)

These are some great kids right here! We are SO LUCKY that they like each other and love spending time together...

They Got Skill

I am so blessed that my boys take after there dad when it comes to skills of fixing things. Here are the boys in action on putting back up the fence over Easter Weekend. Riehle even gave up his day off and kept Morgan waiting...(she was in town for a visit from college). Thanks Riehle for pitching in on redigging holes and cementing in those 5 poles that snapped off. Your dad was glad because it always makes it faster when there are many helping hands! And lots of laughs.

Bless you Nic...he was called away from Call of Duty to do Fence Duty! Nic was out working with his dad for two weekends on this fence project. He helped dig out the original poles and haul them off, that alone was a full day's project and left Rand and Nic comparing which muscles hurt the most for days after.

Nic learned a new skill and took on the task of mixing the cement while Rand and Riehle set and prepared the poles. They seemed to have a smooth operation going and they were so funny to listen to as they chattered to one another. I know it was hard work but I bet they all really enjoyed this time together!

This fence ordeal was a bigger mess than expected. See the brick wall in the background? It surrounds the neighbors patio and runs down part of the fence line. The workers who built this wall decided to leave ALL the broken brick and garbage between the wood fence and the brick wall. So along with removing panels and digging up broken poles the boys had to dig up and carry off all the garbage left behind. The boys next door did come out and pitched in on this part of the project...That is when Rand became very appreciative that his boys had skills! He was pleased that these boys came out to help but quickly learned they had NEVER done anything like this. He was out there teaching them how to use a drill, a shovel, and many other tools they never got their hands on before. Nic got a kick out of it too...made him feel pretty handy out there helping to show them how to get r' done.

Rand, I can't tell you how much you amaze me everyday with your knowledge of fixing anything you put your mind to. I have watched your skills for years and not only have you taught me so much of what I know about house improvements you have shown such patience in teaching our boys how to hold their own in the 'fix it' department. The smile on your face every time you finish a project or master something new on fixing that BMW of yours is priceless! A girl always dreams of marrying someone like her dad and I nailed that when I found my 'fix it guy'!! Hope the girls that marry my boys are as impressed and appreciative as I am about this gift.

Thank you my handy boys! You know women love a man in a tool belt!

What A Whirlwind

What a crazy week...Wednesday I get to work get off the elevator and I'm walking down the hall to my office and the power goes off. Lucky me...lucky that I had stepped out of the elevator seconds before! The elevators at our office building have these awesome windows that look outside to the wonderful world but to a claustrophobic nut like me even that beautiful scene wouldn't have kept me calm for the hour and a half wait for the power to come back on. Lucky me...lucky that I have a window in my office so I could sit in my office and still get work done! The other people who have the inner offices were roaming around in the hallways looking for light from some of us lucky window people, I even left my door open to let light out into the dark halls. What a crazy morning, when the power did finally return it would pop off here and there long enough to shut off my computer and keep me starting over again and again. Lucky me I didn't get stuck in that elevator... because just that little peace of mind kept me cool and collected during the whole whirlwind morning.

But then comes Thursday...I am about to go up in the elevator and I get a call from my boss telling me that he has been trying all morning to get out the door but has to admit he is just to sick. Dilemma, I have an opportunity meeting and expecting 4 recruits to the office in one hour! So I hit the phones to reschedule them and only get voice mails...yikes...I call Rand to see if he can rescue me...he is just stepping out of the shower and lucky me he doesn't have an appointment until later and he will hurry to see what he can do. Now Rand hasn't done a recruiting presentation for over 4 years and I am asking him to come in and talk along with a power point that he has never seen. Wow, not only am I stressed I am sure he was thinking WTH did I just agree to. ALL the recruits show up, I greet them with the fact Mike is sick and I have another DSC rushing in to meet with them. Rand blows in, quickly previews the slides and we start the meeting only 5 minutes late! After I get them up and started I go back to my office to stress and pray that putting Rand in this position wasn't asking too much. Rand comes out with a smile on his face and excited that he had a GREAT meeting and it was just like riding a bike, and that all four recruits seemed interested in returning for individual interviews. So the next step is for me to call them back in the afternoon and schedule them to return to speak with Mike. This process sometimes results in some recruits not interested in the position so it is a hit and miss game of who will return to work the life of insurance sales. I am happy to report Rand is four for four!!! Even though we were both a bundle of nerves to this rescue mission Rand saved my day!! Thanks honey for always being there for me in a pinch!

Oh, it doesn't end there...the real whirl--wind happened while Rand was off rescuing me! Thursday was a very windy day here in Texas and Rand and I even sat and laughed in my office as plastic bags and chunks of branches with leaves blew by my window on the third floor. Rand returned home to collect the things he needed for his appointment and when he let the dog out back he sees that a portion of the fence is down. Dang Texas winds...it snapped 5 poles and dropped three panels to the ground...hello neighbors yard! So our weekend will consist of digging out the broken poles and trying to figure out where we come up with money for this unexpected kick in the butt. I am so not looking forward to the rest of the week as we deal with the aches and pains that come from digging in what we call sticky dirt. Texas dirt sticks to your shovel, your gloves, your shoes, you have to pry it off which slows us down and gives us those aching muscles in your hands, fingers, your knees & back from hanging over the hole scooping sticky dirt. Thank goodness for our hot tub which we will be firing up for a looooonnnnnggg soak.

Well at least one good thing came out of Thursday...Kendyl had her first cheerleader pratice and when I picked her up she was all smiles and chatter of having a fun time. I am sooooo relieved that we made that investment (and cheerleading IS an investment!) when the results is watching Kendyl beam about her new adventure. Now I just cross my fingers that she still is smiling when she realizes the hard work that will surely follow...two practices a week, lots of new things to learn, and big expectations to be "perky, perky, perky". Actually Kendyl should do fine she has wanted to be a cheerleader since she was little and she is always been a bouncing bundle of energy. Will keep you posted, and maybe even get some pictures of the uniforms and things we invested in when they arrive :)

Time to get to digging!

Kendyl overhand serves her best yet!

Kendyl loves volleyball but the little thing isn't carting much power at her serves and it's only because she lacks confidence in her little skinny arms. But not today...don't know what moon is lined with what planet but it all came together for the girl at today's games. Little background -- the girls are working towards overhand serving...if they miss the first serve using overhand they get a second try and usually fall back to an easier underhand serve. Well today Kendyl's first serve she smacks one overhand and it rockets over the net...serve #2 she goes for an easy underhand that sails over...serve #3 the girl takes another try at overhand and bingo she sends it over again! At this point Rand, Nic, and I are totally crazed over the fact that the girl found confidence enough to give it another try after try #1...she of course finishes her 5 serves with underhand and scores some big points for the team. Her whole game was a level best for her today, she sent over more overhand serves today then her whole 3 years at this volleyball thing. We are so proud of her to get in there and loose her self doubt on her serves and rally to three great game wins today! GO SERV-IVORS!!

It's About Time

It's Official...we have another Licensed Driver in the house! I finally broke down and made time for my poor 'middle child' and took him to get his drivers license today. When I say finally I really mean it...this has been a tough road for Nic and I with this whole Parent Taught Drivers Training. Yep, it is the cheap way to go but the headache, heartache, and heartbreak that has gone along with this process may not be worth the $ you save. It was so much easier sending Riehle off to have strangers teach him and took him a whole lot less time too. Get in, get out, get done. Didn't happen with the Nic...his has been wait, not ready, and wait. Today I have to agree with him that being the middle child through this deal has really sucked. Sorry Nic! It doesn't mean I don't love you...I just really suck as your Drivers Ed teacher :-)

Congrats on getting your official license you 16 year old handsome boy! Now we tackle the task of getting you a car.

Quotable Sunday (it's a blog thing)

Love these quotes on teenagers...
(cause that is life here at the Simkins Home)

Never lend your car to anyone to whom you have given birth.
~ Erma Bombeck
Little children, headache; big children, heartache.
~ Italian Proverb
The average teenager still has all the faults his parents outgrew.
~Author Unknown
It's difficult to decide whether growing pains are something teenagers have - or are.
~ Author Unknown
Adolescence is a period of rapid changes. Between the ages of 12 and 17, for example, a parent ages as much as 20 years.
~Author Unknown

They Grow Up Too Fast

We knew it would happen someday but still don't think I am ready! Riehle has been shopping for an apartment with his buddy Zach during their Spring Break week. They are giddy about it and fun to watch as they explore this idea of freedom and having their own place. As they tell us what they found we can't help but be the parent and go through our checklists of 'you know...' which of course gets the "I know"eye roll from the boys. Their latest plans are to make the move in May after school gets out, but who knows we could come home and find them packing up Riehle's truck at any moment because they are so excited to go. Doesn't help that last night Rand and I are watching TV and Riehle comes down with his gang of friends ready to go out for the night and he says "thanks for inviting me down for dinner." I had to sit for a minute and rethink the evening and realized he WAS up in his room tonight, I assumed he didn't come down looking for food because he usually goes out to eat with friends. Yep, I guess it is time to move out when your parents quit taking care of you!

Now That is a Barton Family!

Now that is a big Barton family...and that isn't even the whole crew! We were missing the three Texas husbands, my two boys, Wendy & Bryans kids, Kim's step kids, and two of the Arizona boys who are on a mission.

A Month Has Passed???

Okay I blew it...I promised myself that if I started this blog I would post at the least every other week. It has been over ONE MONTH! How time flies when your overloaded with much to do.

I really have a great excuse of how my busy schedule got away from me and that is a trip to Utah to a mini Barton Reunion! My sisters take a yearly trip in February to visit our parents at home in St. George and this year they set out to get the 6 Barton kids all together to catch up after many years. Kendyl and I hopped the plane with my sisters and Kim's two kids and what a wonderful time we had catching up on everyone's lives and to see how the Arizona cousins had grown. It was great to see everyone again and now Kendyl will have some memories of her own about the Barton family, since the last time we did this was when she was only 2.


Well let's do a little catch up on what is going on here in Texas --

Kendyl's return home from Utah has been filled with the excitement of making next years cheerleading squad, she went in yesterday to be fitted for her uniform, man is this girl tiny! Her school had a dance last Friday and had her and I out for 3 hours of shopping trying to find her a dress since it was a 'Red Carpet Affair' theme...uggg...i had her in tears several times of course. But finally we found the perfect outfit that lit up her eyes and gave us both that warm fuzzy feeling that this was the one. THANK GOODNESS, because serviously one minute more or another trip into the dressing room, you would have been reading about teh bomb that took out the middle school the night before the dance.

Nic suffered a Xbox melt down while we were in Utah and would text us all day long with his agony. He had to send it off in a coffin to be evaluated for repair...it has been nice to see him hanging out with the family again. But good news the company apologized for the manufacturing mishpa and a new box arrived at the house yesterday, and Nic is back to chattering into his headphones and hanging with his friends through the TV. Thank goodness it played out like it did because next week is Spring Break and that would have been the longest week for him without his girl.

Riehle is busy, busy, busy as usual. He seems to be loving life, "know on wood". I wish I could borrow just a piece of his go get em' attitude. And by golly I have got to get this kid to stop long enough to get a picture, he has been working out, tanning, and seriously is at the top of his game. He is toying with the idea of getting his insurance license and joining the family business.

Rand has finally listened to all the signs that have been pointing him back to rejoining the Aflac family as a District Sales Coordinator. He has also joined the new Lonestar Ducks Region and I think we might have found his smile again...he has been a whole different person this week being back around the hustle and bustle of other people! That has been a big missing factor in his past two years of working out on his own in the insurance world. He needs people...he IS a people person! And I think this week has reminded him that even though it is a stressful position it is worth that kind of stress to get out into the world more. I am excited for him, and I am crossing my fingers it all goes well.

As for me, like I said I am just sprinting along with the life of this family trying to keep up with it all. When we returned from Utah I hit the ground running with catching up with work duties, home duties, and even a school newsletter deadline. I have got to find time to get back in the gym starting this week to build back up my energy level. Life is good here with the Simkins Crew and hope all is good for you and yours. Well this might just catch us all back up to today.

What A Week

DeAnna is now a Lonestar Duck...What a week it has been.

Monday - I spent getting all my ducks in a row around the house since I knew it was about to be neglected with me being off to the office all day.
Tuesday - off to the office for a full day of learning and testing my abilities, to find out I am a little rusty but still got skills. Arrive home to family glares & questions of wonder whether I survived or not. Then a realization that my other job calls -- I have taxi duty shuttling Kendyl and friend back and forth to Activity Girls, a PTA Board Mtg., and a couple of loads of wash cause Nic needed levis he forgot to bring down for me Monday!
Wednesday - Nic wakes up looking like death and needs to stay home from school. (great my first test for self made mommy guilt) Day 2 at office: was able to navigate my computer with a little more ease, things are looking a little more familiar to what I use to do as an Admin 2 years ago. (so much is now computerized, no more old school) I come home a little more bogged down in the brain, good to see Nic survived, rush around the house trying to keep up.
Thursday - Nic still not good takes another sick day (I forgot to call the school...uggg! Should have made a sticky note reminder) Day 3 at office: recruit meetings, phone gets to ringing alot today, I am multi tasking so fast my head spins and I have to come to a screeching halt and gather myself for a moment. (boy do I miss my younger brain that could handle this much) I end my work day feeling satisfied that I accomplished a good days work. Home brings a little more peace as everyone still seems happy and flowing along with ease.
Friday - Everyone is upright and off to school & work...(I even remembered to write a note for Nic to be excused from schoo) Day 4 at office: we contract two new agents to our Region and I get to test the most important part to my job of setting these new recruits up with proper paperwork and track them to success with Aflac. LOVE IT! I just earned my first brownie points of success!! I even show up at the State Office for my training a little more prepared because I already walked through the process twice that morning. Yes, I am a little impressed with my ole' self. Arrive home to finally hit overload at all the things I need to get on top off...quickly start switching hats from laundry lady-accountant-maid-cook-confidence counselor- support cheerleader-rock band audience-homework checker-and finally couch potato!! I MADE IT!!! Week One complete.

WHAT A GREAT WEEK! Rand pitched in and helped around the house like a super supportive hubby, he listened to my many rambling stories of my work adventures without glazing over eyes to often. Hardly saw my Riehle since he sleeps late and I go to bed early, and he is so busy these days, we finally met up on Friday and he gave me a big ole' bear hug so I guess he kind of missed me. Nic is still on the mend and survived his days of being tended by his dad on his sick bed as Rand would come and go trying to work. Kendyl, who I worried the most about, didn't blink an eye, she just flowed through the week without a hitch. Sad to say it must have all been in my head that this family still needed this mom around full time to keep them all happy. Glad to say that right now I am loving this new adventure in life that is all about me for the moment, and I am thrilled that I can actually do it!! Had a lot of self doubt going into this...can't wait until a few weeks go by and I can come back and reread this post and smile of how I finally have life organized and flowing

A Fitting Quote

Other Blogs that I surf post what they call "Quotable Sunday's" and this quote just hit home this week since today is my last day as a 'stay at home mom'. Here's to beginning a new chapter...
"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." ~Author Unknown

It's ICE

It is 22 degrees outside here in Texas and we are going to have another ICE day which means no school for the kids for day #2. Yipee!

My first experience to a big storm in Dallas happened the first year we were here. I had Kendyl enrolled in a little Mom & Tots class at the Rec Center and the two of us didn't think twice to adventure out for class. When we walked in there was only Kendyl, myself, the teacher and one other mom & tot. Turns out we were from Utah, and the teacher and other Mom & tot were from Colorado so some slush on the roads was nothing to us snow driving crazies. I thought these Texas folk were big ole' babies hold up in their homes. Well little did I know that that day wasn't an ICE storm. Here in Texas it rains and then freezes leaving a sheet of ice on the road and sidewalks, freezing power lines, trees, cars, and so much more... And I thought driving and walking in snow was tough, this ICE stuff is impossible and crazy dangerous (I am watching news coverage right now and lots of car wrecks). Thank goodness it doesn't happen to often and should be thawed out by later this afternoon. I hope early enough for Riehle to be off to work today...he was out in this yesterday and all the gym junkies made their stop for a workout of course! They even lost power last night just before 9pm and had to kick out a bunch of muscle heads that wanted to keep working out in the dark. Idiots! All I know is Rand and I were very relieved when the garage door opened and in walked our oldest safe and sound.

I had to share the picture above that a friend emailed us, it is really of an ice storm in Switzerland in a city near a lake but that is ICE. Of course we haven't seen anything like that in Texas...but we all had a good laugh when after numerous pictures of this extreme Switzerland ICE storm the email ended in...
Now Quit complaining that you're Cold!!

Back to the Office

Good Bye slumpy housewife...hello working mom! It's a new beginning and I am very excited...
No more waiting on calls to substitute and wondering if you are working on a day by day status. Now I get to set a regular schedule, go off to my office (that has a window with a view!) and show myself and others what I can accomplish. Beginning the first week of February I will start as the Regional Administrator for a brand new Aflac Region. Since it is a brand new Region there is all this excitement and it should be fun to watch the progress through the first year. The greatest thing about this position is I can still do my most important job of being Mom first, which was my biggest concern about going back to work. But my office is close to home and my RSC (boss) is very much a family man who stressed that as still a big priority too.

Rand and the kids have been so supportive to mom going back to work. I think they just want mom to find some purpose and do something that would help her find her smile again. So far so good...I even was able to keep Kendyl happy by finding a position that would still allow me to kiss her off to school and welcome her home in the afternoon. It is ALL GOOD!

Routines are Good

Things are finally back to normal...All my kids are tucked safely back in school for a while and we can get back to their routine!! Riehle has been on Winter Break and I forgot how long that actually is for the college life. They get SIX weeks off and just went back yesterday. The poor kid couldn't wait to get back to a regular scheduled life either. He has been working crazy hours in his new job at the gym and with the New Year Resolution crowd he is very happy with the big increase in his wallet. It was tough with all his friends in town from college and trying to work and spend time with all of them. Wore him out. I think ALL the college kids were looking forward to getting back to a regular schedule too after such a long down time.

We made it through the long weekend with all my wits in tack. Kendyl and Nic were so laid back and content in playing quiet games on the XBox and Wii or just hanging in their rooms. I was so shocked that there were not any more concerts in the game room this weekend. I think the kids were worn out from their Semester Exams and mentally needed just chill time. YEA for my nerves and the fact that I was able to spend time finishing up the Killian school newsletter too.

Well I finally came to the decision that it is time to move along and get myself a real life too and quit waiting for the phone to ring for substitute jobs. I sent out resume's to several job openings and even got myself a couple of interviews. Should know the outcome of that in the next couple of days. Crossing fingers & toes!! Please let it all work out and give me a regular daily routine to stroll along with.

The Never Ending Concert

The kids are home AGAIN! Yes, already...I know they just went back from the loooonnnnnng Christmas holiday break! Our school district has scheduled another holiday break and my two school kids are home Friday AND Monday for MLK holiday. I love these kids but I don't know if my nerves can take 4+ days of the endless Rock Band concerts that take place upstairs. It already began yesterday with the kids early school release and Nic's friends firing up the tunes at 1pm and entertaining me until after 6pm. We really have enjoyed the Rock Band game it is fun to play, and keeps the kids entertained, but some days I wish I could sound proof the concert room or hit a mute button.

The Best Motivators

As some of you know Riehle went to work for LA Fitness to sale memberships and of course one of the first memberships was sold to his dear old mom. I had tried to get my big butt moving and walked many mornings through the neighborhood after I got Kendyl off on the bus, but with the cold weather it got to be a great excuse to just walk back inside the house. So after whining about how run down and tired I am all the time my boys got to work on getting me to commit to trips to the gym and they have been the ultimate motivators! Nic's goal is to get stronger, build some girl attracting muscles, and find his mom's smile. The two of us have a goal of 5 days a week in the gym and so far so good... Not only am I feeling every muscle in my body some days I ache the most in my abs from laughing at Nic, he is such a fun workout partner. Nic did have a few first day issues with everyone staring at this kid and the older lady...he even mentioned getting a t-shirt that read "she is my mom". Riehle oversees our technique and updates us on any tips to help us reach our goals even quicker. He has taken off on his new job at the gym, his boss has been so thrilled and amazed at this young salesmans ability, and Riehle really is liking his newest challenge to conquer.

What is Kendyl up to while we are off at the gym you ask...We have been coming home to her and her dad rocking out on Rock Band or jumping around playing Wii. It seems their father daughter bonding has got them as active as us gym junkies.

Our Word for 2009

I saw a post on Tip Junkie a couple of days ago that said many bloggers have a word of the year that helps them to sum up their goals and resolutions for that year. LOVE IT! A new way to pick something to improve on without the endless resolution 'to do' lists that usually get tossed after a few guilty months of trying and not succeeding. I surfed many of the blogs she had posted that shared their words for 2009 and here is one post that really hit home...

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, "I love you, and I wish you enough."

The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom."

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

"Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?"

"I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead, and the reality is - her next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.

"When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?"

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. "When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them."

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

~ I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
~ I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
~ I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
~ I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
~ I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
~ I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
~ I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

I couldn't quit thinking about this post and how the word 'Enough' took on a whole different meaning. I have used that word with the kids for things like "we don't have enough money for this or that"...but as we recently found out Kendyl was under the assumption that we were poor. WHAT?? We have a great life..the kids don't go without...I don't buy unneccesary things, and yes there are times we need to stretch our money. But we had to take a moment and explain to Kendyl all the things we DO have and how many other people go without so much.

So after pondering the word that would enrich our family the most this year we are going with the word...

~APPRECIATE ~

It is time to quit taking the things we have in life for granted, notice that we have 'enough', and take time to APPRECIATE the many blessings that our family has been given.

We wish you enough this upcoming year in 2009......

A Texas Christmas Pic

December 2008

Our Christmas was wonderful and one of the most memorable moments was trying to get this picture taken of the kids.

Rainy cold weather would be an issue one day then on a clear day one kid would be gone during daylight hours. But never fail the Simkins family got it together and I got the reaction that I had hoped for. Amazement of how quick they all have grown and how fast time flies.