Christmas Is On The Way!

And I am so glad! The kids will be off of school, Christmas Day, James will be here to visit, my newest babysitting gig will be over. I just can't wait.

Bekah's birthday party was fun and I should have pictures soon. The girls put on ballet outfits that I made and danced around. We played bingo and just had fun. The ballet slipper cake did not make out of the cake pan, but we substituted with cupcakes with pink icing. Amy and I decorated the house with pink and white balloons and ribbon. It looked really cute. Can't wait to put the pictures up.

Paul is really involved in his duties of 3rd grade representative. He alternates between putting up the flags and doind safety patrol, which means we have to get to school early. It's a challenge for us but it's worth the lessons of responsibility and commitment he's learning. Paul also had his first flag football game last night. We did not win, but the boys had a good time and they learned more about how to play. Plus, the other team had boys that were much bigger and most likely older. Our coach does a really good job of mixing in the discipline it takes to play the game and encouraging the kids to have fun.

Paul and Tim are off hunting this weekend. They left shortly after the game last night. It's a special trip they take with a guy that time works with. I know Paul was excited for that too. Big weekend for him. Bekah and I are going to the Christmas deal at the school. There will be lots of crafts to do so Bekah will have a good time.

The last few weeks have been tough for me with the babysitting. The baby wants to be held ALL the time and screams and screams and screams and screams and screams. Yesterday she cried for and hour and a half straight and I ended up with a headache and a desire to quit right then. But I said I would watch them (there are three girls, two come after school) until the end of the month, which actually means until school lets out. Only two more weeks...I hope I make it. Plus there have been issues with the other girls lying. ARRRGGGGHHHH! Definitely can't wait to stop! I'll have Rian until just after the new year but she is like a part of our family and no trouble at all, usually.

On a better note, we've been watching lots of Christmas movies, which the kids have loved. Bekah and I read Christmas stories last night and sang some songs. We started decorating the house this week and put up our outside lights. It's all very fun! And in the midst of it all, I try to always remember why we celebrate this wonderful season. I am so glad Jesus was born. I'm so thankful that He chose to be a sacrifice for my sin. And I thank Him every day for picking me up out of the world and puting His Spirit in my heart. In my class at church I've tried to encourage the kids to think of gifts they can give to Jesus and I just hope that my gifts to Him are pleasing in His sight.

That's all for now. Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving Comes!

Life just seems to be flying by this autumn. If you can call 80 degree weather autumn :) We've had such nice weather. We just got a "cold" front in yesterday. I think we stayed in the 60s and it was quite chilly this morning. But it's back to the mid 70s for the rest of the weekend.

Our school had a really nice Veteran's Day program on November 9th. I thought Bekah's class was going to sing but it was only the fourth and fifth graders that stood up, everybody just learned the songs. So, Bekah looked awfully cute with her red white and blue, even if she didn't get to stand on stage. Paul was star of the week in his class that week as well. He and I taught his class how to make a paper airplane. That was fun. They are both doing very well in school.

This week was busy with Bekah's teacher's birthday, Thanksgiving lunch at the school and helping Amy clean her house after the renters moved out. Today the Kindergarten classes are having a feast to celebrate their pilgrim/indian unit. Should be fun! Pictures will, of course, follow in the next couple of weeks.

The kids get all of next week off from school, which Paul is really excited about. So, we are planning some fun activities, like making cards for wounded soldiers. Some of you may have gotten the email I forwarded about sending cards to Walter Reed Medical Center. And, I get to cook the Thanksgiving turkey this year. Pray for me! Ha! :) I found a recipe I want to try and my mother in law was more than happy to let me have the honor this year.

And, of course, the wonderful tradition of shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I am so excited! We just have so much fun (my sister in law and I) and are hoping my friend Karri can come along this year.

And then, Bekah's birthday is the following week! I can't believe she's six. She has requested a Ballerina party so the boys may be a tad bored (cousins and neighbors). I think I'll send them out to play football or something while the girls do girly ballet things.

Such exciting times! Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween

Princess Bekah and Pokemon Trainer Paul on Halloween on the way to the church party.

Story...Bekah told me for weeks that she wanted to be a strawberry for Halloween. So, I made a strawberry costume. On Halloween, I got her dressed in her costume and was fixin' to do her hair and she said she didn't remember telling me she wanted to be a strawberry. She wanted to be a princess. Luckily for her, because I was fuming, she had that princess dress in her closet. Hence the princess in the previous picture. Well, the school does not do Halloween, they do a story book character parade instead (we can't offend anybody at any time, you know) so I made her wear the strawberry costume for that and carry her Strawberry Shortcake books. At least it got some use! And doesn't it look cute? I was proud of myself for figuring out how to make Bekah into a strawberry.

L to R: Bekah, Emma, Frank (scarecrow) and Taylor. Emma and Taylor are our good friends. They didn't want to take a picture with the scarecrow so Bekah sat with them. You can also see Taylor's dad holding her hand. Emma was Thelma and Taylor was Daphne from Scooby.

Bekah and Ruby. I watch Ruby part of the day during the week. Her family lives across the street from us. Bekah loves to hold her!

LBJ Ranch with Mom and Dad

Mom, Paul and Bekah in front of the Texas White House (LBJ's home). We took a bus all around the ranch which is a National Park. Since Lady Bird's death, they have started renovating the house and will eventually open it to the public.

Dad, Paul and Bekah. Isn't this a cute picture? I wish it didn't have the glare.

OK, you can't tell from the picture, but Dad is looking at a butterfly. We really enjoyed looking at the butterflys. There were these black ones that had yellow stripes on the underside of their wings that were really cool.

LBJ ranch is a working ranch. They have their own brand of cattle and everything. On the tour we stopped at the barns and saw a couple cows, a horse and stuff. The kids are looking at a baby hiding under the mama cow.

Mom and Dad on the bus!

I'm not very good at getting pictures taken. But there are few cute ones.

Labor Day 2007 with James

Just got these pics to cd. We had a lot of fun on Labor Day weekend with James. The boys went fishing and we went to the beach and to the zoo. I must have forgotten to take my camera anywhere but the zoo cause besides a few at the apartment, those are the only pictures I have!

The kids and tim looking at the Komodo Dragon.

I can't remember what this exhibit was. I just wanted to get a picture of everyone. We didn't last too long, it was really muggy and sticky that day. But the zoo was free!

Since James has no furniture, we all slept on the floor. Not that Paul and Bekah mind. They can sleep anywhere. Us old people had a hard time, though! :)

Visits, School and Cool Weather

Well, we just had a great visit from Mom and Dad. I've not got those pictures to a disk yet so I'll have to put them up later. But we had fun doing some things in Austin and the surrounding hill country. We went to the Botanical Garden and Nature and Science Center, which were very cool. We also visited the LBJ Ranch. We had extra special fun at the Half Price Bookstore, of course! The kids just loved having them here. Bekah sewed her buttons with Granny and Paul was able to show Grandpa his rock collection. All my extra kids loved having them here as well. Rian thought the world of James and Grandpa and wanted to spend all her time with them. It was so cute.

In other news, I am looking into starting school in January. I'm a little nervous about that, but it would be a wonderful opportunity for me. Probably looking at Elementary Ed, which would give me summers and vacations with the kids.

Paul is running for Student Council as a third grade representative. He is excited about that, although I did make sure he understood that he may not be elected. We'll see how all that turns out. I'm not really sure how he'll do giving a speech in front of all the 3rd - 5th graders.

Tim shot two deer this year, so far. We cut up meat last night for sausage making. Not my favorite activity and I've told him that we do NOT need anymore! :) Although, the fresh deer meat is delicious, as Mom and Dad found out. We usually cut some up and freeze it for use all during the year but Tim wants to try the sausage making this year.

Our weather is turning cool! Yea! It finally feels like fall. The kids actually wore sweaters to school this morning. Next week, when it cools even more, they can wear pants to school. I love when the weather turns. It really makes it feel like the holiday season to me. I am trying to figure out how to make Bekah into a strawberry and Paul into a Pokemon trainer for Halloween. HMMMMMMMMMM..........



First day of school! My silly kids. The serious picture did not turn out. They are both doing so well. Paul has all As at the moment. Bekah keeps asking when she will be able to read.










The Kindergarten teddy bear picnic. This was so cute. They ate teddy grahams and played with their bears. Bekah is on the far left in the light yellow shirt. All the kids thought this was sooooo fun.








Bekah lost her two top teeth. She was so proud. When she lost her very first tooth, she was very nervous about it. Paul had to reassure here that it would grow back in. Surprisingly, she hasn't cried when she loses them. Blood, even a tiny speck, can make her lose it.







Look sideways and you can see Paul and Tim scraping the popcorn stuff off of our ceilings. What a messs! But it looks so much better with texture and paint. We've really been please with the final outcome. I'll have to get some picture up of that.







All the Hefner cousins. Starting on the left:
Zach, Bekah, Caleb, Paul and Jacob. Youngest to oldest. Or shortest to tallest, :)

Tagged!

Well, my turn. Enjoy!

Jobs I've held:
1. Wife, mother, homemaker extraordinare, TX
2. Adminstrative Assistant for HOA management company, TX
3. Receptionist/Office Manager for small company, TX
4. HEB checker (grocery store), TX
5. Worked at a computer company in Orem, UT making hard drives
6. BYU grounds crew
7. Worked at at tourist Candy Store in NV
8. Cleaning Lady for small office in Evergreen, CO.
9. Co-Owner of cleaning company with best bud Elizabeth, CO
10. McDonalds (for a whole six months!), CO
11. Babysitter, CO and Sonora, CA

Places for a Weekend Getaway:
What's that? :) We have had some nice getaways at B & Bs around here. But I really like to have a soft bed in a clean place with cable tv.

Guilty Pleasures:
1. Reading all day and doing no housework.
2. Watching a favorite show or movies all day.
3. Drinking a coke and eating chocolate-at the same time!

Movies I could watch over and over:
1. Sgt. Bilko - never fails to make me laugh
2. Princess Diaries one and two
3. Sahara
4. Cheaper by the Dozen one
5. Lord of the Rings, all of them
6. Little Women
7. Elf
There's a lot more!

Places I've lived:
1. Portland, OR
2. Fresno, CA
3. Sanger, CA
4. Sonora, CA
5. Evergreen, CO
6. Provo, UT
7. Virginia City, NV
8. Orem, UT
9. Leander, TX (Last 11 years!)

What was likely the first thing you thought of when you saw your husband for the first time?
Who is that wierdo with the long hair and why is he always hanging out here? :) Well, you certainly can't judge a book by it's cover. He was so unlike other guys I'd been attracted to but you never know what God has in store for you.

Places I've Been on Vacation:
1. Orlando, FL (I've been twice)
2. Las Vegas, NV (before kids)
3. Los Angeles, CA for a friend's wedding
4. Portland, OR (have lots of family up that way)
5. Brown Deer, WI(my wonderful and beautiful sister lives here, love ya!).
6. Various towns in Iowa and WI as Mom and Dad moved around.
7. Austin, MN (Andy and Dana and family)
8. Minneapolis, MN area to visit Em and Ben
9. South Padre Island, TX (right after a hurricane!)
10. Houston area to visit James in his various locations
11. Port Aransas, TX

Favorite Foods:
Pizza, Chinese, and guacomole, at the moment.

If in a "jam" with your spouse what are your tactics to get out of the "doghouse"?
I usually just have to wait it out (although, I wouldn't say I was in the "doghouse" just because he was mad at something.)

Websites I visit daily:
1. Hotmail
That's really it for daily. Just don't have the time!

Best first Kisses landmarks:
First kiss with hubby was in my apartment. We sat there forever waiting for one of my roommates to leave!

Places I would rather be right now:
1. Getting a pedicure
2. At a resort somewhere lounging around reading a book not thinking of all the work to be done and the children to be watched this afternoon

Now I get to pick 3 blog friends to tag:
I don't have three blog friends, so whoever read this, YOU'RE IT! :)

School Is In!

It's been awhile! The kids have been at school for over four weeks! Paul is in third grade and he's doing well so far. Third grade starts all the testing and such so it will be a new experience come spring. He is in the advanced math class which is great for him. His teacher is pretty young and we weren't sure about her at first. But, I should have just trusted God, because she seems like she'll be great. I am a little sad that there aren't as many opportunities to be in the classroom, but I know she has some big projects she'll need help with later. Paul's favorite subject is still PE. And we do have a really good PE teacher.

Bekah did a lot better her first week of Kindergarten than I thought she would. By the end of the first week she went right in without crying. Her teacher is sooooooo wonderful. Of course, on assembly days and when there is a substitute we start off teary, but once she gets busy with school work she is fine. She just loves everything about it. She was the student of the week last week and that was really fun. I am probably going to end up as room mom, or co-room mom.

I, of course, am keeping busy at home. The work never ends, plus we are painting the main living areas of the house now. Last week we scraped the popcorn stuff off the ceilings and sanded. This week or next we'll put up the new texture. Hopefully we can get it done before Mom and Dad get here. And, if that weren't enough, I still have little Rian three or four days a week and I just got a new crew yesterday.

We have new neighbors across the street. They are super nice, but don't speak much english. We talk through the children. Anyway, the mom just got a job so I watch the baby (7 months) for a few hours in the afternoon and their 4 yo girl and 8 yo girl after school until the teenagers get home from school. It went pretty well yesterday. I know it's a lot, but it's only until the end of the year and I really wanted to be a blessing to this family. They have a total of like eight kids in a house that's no bigger than ours!

And, if that weren't all, I am going to teach spanish to kindergartners for 30 minutes a week. I am really excited about that. I also teach a class a church on Sunday nights. Am I a little overwhelmed? YES! But I really feel like the Lord is going to make all this work out.

Well, considering all that, I better get going. I still have to do the tag questions from Emily!

Fishin' Fools

The fishing was great this year with all the rain. The boys fished all the way into the beginning of August, very unusual for Texas. Our lakes are all full after many years of drought. So, these pictures are samples of what they caught on an average trip. These pictures were taken at Lake Buchanan, about an hour and a half northwest of our house. These are all catfish, mostly blues. Paul also caught a record flathead catfish on one trip.

More Pictures!

It's kinda hard to see the new house colors well, but you can see the difference with the siding.
Another view of the front...it used to be white siding with dark green trim. Now the siding is gray with light green trim.
And a view of the back.
Paul is now 8 years old! He had fun at his party, even though it started to pour rain as we ate outside.
Paul opening his presents. The boy to the left is Paul's best friend Josh who lives across the street.

Six Flags Pictures!

We were the second car to arrive that morning. We were about an hour and a half early but we ate breakfast and walked around the outside a bit.
Paul and Bekah on the Batman for kids. They could make the planes go up and down on their own.
Tim and the kids on the teacups. They loved this one. You can see Bekah peeking over the edge.

July Activities

Another month has gone by! I know, I know...I still don't have pictures up. I will continue to try.

We have been working on Bekah's room this week. Her's is the first to get a remodel in the house. We've scraped all the popcorn stuff off the ceiling and put up texture (and I must say that Tim did an excellent job) and are now working on the paint. We've chosen a light purple and then I'm going to paint some big flowers on one wall. Bekah wanted flowers everywhere so we compromised. My lovely neighbor took Paul and Bekah to the movies with her kids so I actually have a quiet house this afternoon.

Paul's birthday party is on Saturday. I can't believe he will be 8. We are having a few family and friends over to celebrate. We went with an easy theme...water and barbecue! Sprinklers and a slip and slide for the kids (and any other water stuff we can find at the house) and and easy barbecue lunch for everyone. Should be fun!

Then next weekend is Tim and my anniversary. Number 12! Don't know what we are going to do yet, except go out to eat. I bought a new dress so I need to go out somewhere decent so I can wear it!

Of course the remodel will continue through the end of the month and into the next. Paul's room is second (we figured to get the easy ones done first). Then maybe the hallway...I don't know. I never realized how much prep work there was. Tape, scrape, texture, sand, dust, prime, paint...good gracious! It should look really nice when it's all finished though.

Oh! The outside of the house finally was finished a couple weeks ago. I didn't like the paint at first but it's grown on me. The horizontal siding makes such a difference. It really looks like a different house. Again, I'll have to get pictures up so everyone can see.

Well, that's all the news for today.

Addendum to Six Flags

Well, my computer is screwing up and that last post did not make it all the way! Grrrrrrrrr! Anyway,

Us adults enjoyed the bigger roller coasters. Tim isn't a huge fan so James and I rode some together and had a great time until James had an unfortunate accident with a toe. Without going into detail, James did not ride anymore that day, but he is fine. His toe will be fine in a couple of weeks but he is not in pain, so don't worry. He graciously watched the kids for awhile so Tim and I could ride a coaster together.

I probably had more to say, but I don't remember anymore. I'm trying to get pictures up. My computer does not want to load them but I'm still trying to check back again!

Six Flags Over Texas

Well, we just had a fabulous time yesterday at Six Flags in Arlington. James went with us and made the trip extra fun. We got up really early and got there with about an hour and a half to spare (we were the second car there!) so we hung out and walked around the outside for awhile. The kids loved the little roller coasters, although it took Bekah a few times around. The weather was perfect, cloudy and not too hot. And it wasn't crowded at all. We were able to get right up the rides without waiting most of the time.



Paul was adamant about wanting to ride the Judge Roy Scream, which is a bigger coaster. So, after we rode a few of the smaller ones, that's what we did. Paul quickly figured out that it wasn't all that he thought. The first hill was really big and Tim said his eyes were about out of his head by the time we got to the top. Bekah rode too and even though they didn't care for it, they were little troopers.



Bekah's favorite was the Wile E. Coyote coaster in the little kids section. Paul's favorite turned out to be the Mine Train, which is a more inbetween size. They also loved the teacups, the little Batman planes that went up and down while going around in a circle and the bumper cars. They were so good the whole time.



Us adults enjoyed the bigger rides

Whistling

Bekah has learned how to whistle and she is so proud of herself! It's so cute how she walks around whistling to herself. She is still trying to master snapping...we practiced that this morning.

I am really close to putting pictures up so stay tuned. I borrowed a digital camera and just need to get the software on my computer.

I've often wondered how Dana survives with five kids at the grocery store. I just took three today and I was thinking how I couldn't wait for school to start again so I can go by myself. I am weary!

Our new siding and windows are in the process of being installed, which makes for a loud day. They start at 7 am and somehow the kids sleep through the first 30 minutes or so. I was trying to read my Bible this morning but had to abandon the effort once the pounding started. But, I am grateful it is being done. We were going to paint the house ourselves but have thought better of it. Hopefully next week or the week after I can put up some pictures of our redone house. And then we start painting the inside. Woohoo!

James is here this week, attending an education conference in the area. He said the first day was good and he enjoyed it. Thursday he is going with us to Six Flags in Arlington Texas. We are excited for that fun day. Pictures, of course will be forthcoming!

Summer Has Begun!

Well, I started a post a couple days ago and never got it finished. So I will try again.

Summer is going well. We have had tons of rain, for which I praise the Lord constantly. Our area lakes were 20 to 40 feet below capacity and it was getting pretty scary. But they are now full and the fishing has been abundant, which, of course, makes Tim very happy.

We went to Lake Buchanan, about an hour north of our house, last weekend and had a wonderful time. We went looking for stripers but ended up catching white bass. The kids had a great time and each reeled in several fish. I just drive the boat and soak up sun. :) Just in case somebody hasn't heard, Tim caught a couple of lake records in Lake Travis in April. A 32 pound flathead catfish and a 43 pound blue catfish. (Just had to do a little bragging on my man!) Tim and Paul had their picture in the local paper and everything.

Paul is enjoying the time off of school. He did manage to pull off straight A's for his last report card of second grade, which is great! We are very proud of him. Bekah finished up her gymnastics class and really loved it. We'll have to try that again soon. I hope to have some pictures up soon so ya'll can see how cute she was.

We are expecting a visit from Uncle James in a couple of weeks and we look forward to that. We are trying to get down to the beach this summer so we may see him beyond that as well. Next week we start getting new windows and siding on the house, woohoo! It will be nice to have that done.

Next time I'll try for pictures! See Ya!

Beginning

Well, I decided to start a blog. I really enjoy reading Emily and Dana's and hearing about the kids. It is a rainy day in Texas ( not something to take lightly!). Bekah is going to spend the night at her Nana's house so that I can go on Paul's second grade field trip tomorrow.

What can I say that not everybody has already heard? Bekah lost her first tooth a few weeks ago and is working on her second one. She was really concerned about that first one and we had to convince her that it was okay for her tooth to fall out. She can get a little dramatic about pain and especially blood! Bekah also learned to ride her bike without training wheels and has the best balance I've ever seen. She can go as slow as a snail and not put a foot to the ground.

Paul is just about to end second grade and I think he's ready for the break of summer. He is, of course very into fishing with his dad and when I get a little more organized I'll post some if their prize catches. Tim and Paul were recently in the newspaper for catching two lake record catfish.

That's all I've got time for today. Life is good!