My life with the Princerella's

Happy New Year!

2011-01-09T07:22:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have been told that people are missing my bloggin', so here goes!!! We had a fabulous Christmas here in TX. My mom and dad were able to come down for about two weeks which is always a fun time. Payton got all of her hair chopped off into the cutest little bob. Marcus turned 17. Scott and I actually went out for New Year's for the first time ever...we went to a party at Marcella's...She decided last minute that we should be retro, eclectic or downright tacky...Scott couldn't find anything but I managed to put together a fab 80's outfit. Now we are all back to work and school. My new year's resolution is to bake and craft every week....if possible. This week I used my new sewing machine! The only finished project is a hat and scarf for Payton's doll...can't find my good sewing scissors so I couldn't finish our scarves. As for the baking, we baked a wacky cake with fluffy icing from scratch and it was delicious!!! So Happy New Year...and check back often...we will be crafting and baking again next week!

Holiday Thoughts

2010-11-23T08:06:00.000-08:00

I keep thinking I am just not in the holiday spirit this year. I just don't have the initiative to search for gifts and shop sales. Don't wanna "overdeck" the halls. I thought I was in a funk. But then it became clear to me. I am completely in the holiday spirit this year....I am so thankful for my life and what I have in it. I am so happy with my family and our health. Times are a little hard for us financially but other than that we are blessed. If only that stinking house would sell. But God has a plan for us, and harm is not part of it. I just know in my heart that we are fine. Better than fine. I have complete faith that everything will work out according to his plan. In the meantime, I thank God for the opportunity to spend the holiday with whoever. If it's just me, Scott and the kids for Thanksgiving, then so be it. It will be the five of us, happy and healthy together in a house. And as for Christmas, all those decorations in the attic in Weatherford can wait til next year. For now we have one tree, which by the way is not the prettiest tree since I let the girls do the decorating. We don't have a tree in every room and stockings hung by the fireplace. We don't have lights outside and tons of gifts under the tree. But we have each other and a family that loves us and more importantly, a God who loves us. So Happy Thanksgiving to all of you...and thanks for being a part of our lives!

For you...Smithwick!

2010-11-22T15:53:00.000-08:00

So I didn't think anyone checked this anymore, but apparently you do, and apparently you wanna see our new home. So here it is. BTW, our address is 598 Salado Creek Dr, Salado, TX, 76571. And just so you know, my bed is really right side up...I just forgot to flip the photo! So now you know...come by and visit us sometime!

Out by October

2010-09-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

Out by October...that's our goal. We will camp away here at the KOA 'til October 1. Our goal was officially stated today..we want to be in a home Oct. 1. That means either our house has to sell, or we have to have enough cash each month to own and rent two homes. Please pray that this will work.

You Spoke...I Listened

2010-08-21T12:01:00.000-07:00

So after receiving numerous words of wisdom, advice, and support after my last post both on my blog and personally, I feel much better. Oddly enough, three people had the same theme in mind...contentment. Two of you lead me to a verse in Phillipians chapter4. And another talked about her personal walk with God and learning to be content. I have read that chapter many times and looked at it with an open heart again this morning and was suprised to see the word CONTENT in there.
"I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation...I can do everything through him who gives me strenth."
Man, those words make living in a camper so trivial, you know? It took my mom to remind me how upside down my world was five years ago...I had a beautiful home, but my health, Payton's health and Marcus' life were a day to day struggle. In retrospect, I am going to remain positive and pray daily until I can really say those verses and mean it!
Thanks a million for all of your support.
Oh, and maybe this is a sign from God...the owners of this place needed some concrete cutting around the pool...they asked Scott to do it (it's a quick and easy job for him) and agreed to barter by giving us free rent for September. So now I am content with staying here through September, knowing it is FREE!!!

Not my best moment

2010-08-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was my first official day at my new job. I met some great people who asked me to lunch and then came the question..."So, where do you live?" and then the response, which sounded really lame and white trashy and a tad embarassing. I had just had an AHA moment in church on Sunday and was so content with being in this place for however long it took and then I had to say this to new friends. I shouldn't be ashamed or embarassed, but I kinda was because my whole life I have really been worried if people would like me...never thinking or assuming that they just WOULD. I hated going to that place of insecurity. Why do I care? Is it bad that my family lives in a camper? Does it make sense? I suddenly needed my people to surround me and lift me up. I wish my family had a real home. I really do. I went to bed early last night and threw my frustrations to God and asked for peace and understanding and patience. Apparently our house showed on Sunday and the people did not like it...they said it was outdated. At what point do we have to find an extra $1000 a month to live in a home that isn't even a good one? I just don't know. I wish things would just work out....I had faith that everything would just happen....but they didn't. Perhaps this is God once again showing me that he has his own schedule...and I have to let my own plans go. I dunno. Thoughts anyone? If you are reading this, please respond...I need to hear honest responses and thoughts to help me process all of these feelings.

These are the people in my trailerhood

2010-08-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

Sing it with me, Sesame Street Fans..."Oh, these are the people in my trailerhood..." I love people watching...and what better place to do it than in an RV park? First of all, this place is short on women. I wonder what that says about me.
Unless you count the "woman" next to us...she comes and goes and is very quiet...you'd never know she was there until you caught a glimpse of her Wranglers and mullet...yikes. Need I say more? I joke that she is Scott's girlfriend...he jokes that she is more suited for me.
Then on the other side is an older man who is recovering from a hip replacement and has no air conditioning...can you imagine? I don't know if he is shy, grouchy, or just plain doesn't like me cuz he never talks to me. Every day when it starts to get hot, he drives his truck down to the pool and sits under the shade tree with his walker, reading a book and sipping gatorade. Then at dinnertime he drives back home.
Besides our immediate neighbors, we have many more colorful personalities, such as the elderly couple complete with pink flamingoes out front, and the man with the long silver pony tail who does Tai Chi early every morning in tube socks and extremely short silky shorts circa 1985. Again with the yikes!
And for a special treat, since we are right next to the Expo center, we host campers attending conferences. This weekend is especially packed with the huge Jehovah Witness convention going on. Early in the morning, they emerge dressed in their Sunday best and are taken over on golf carts. Around 4:30, they all come home. We hide, and hope they don't come knockin'. They are apparently coming back and forth every weekend for the next month....nice. Personally, I would rather be hosting Sami show campers...they have something to offer me!

And we're living!!!

2010-08-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

I feel like my life here has actually started and reality is setting in. I had my first day of work yesterday at Belton ISD....new teacher inservice wasn't even painful! Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The girls started back at day care, Marcus has a class schedule and today....dinner is in the crockpot! It's like real life...only in a tiny home.
The best part of a tiny home? You can clean up super fast.
The worst part? It gets messy super fast.
The most hilarious part? We have three laptops in one computer...our original one, the new one we bought for the business and my new one from BISD. How crazy is that? We probably have a laptop for every 50 square feet...all wireless!
I have also officially dried my hair twice without blowing a breaker...I am getting better at this!
And as for an Elliott update: NO news on the house, but the business is really thriving. Yeah!

Day 2...So far so good!

2010-08-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

Today is a good day...so far! I managed to dry my hair without blowing a fuse. And I finally managed to enter a bunch of invoices for the business that I have been putting off. I am weird like that...I get so overwhelmed with tasks that I just don't do them, and then panic about it. So today I just did it...I entered the invoices and put away the girls' stuff. I feel so relieved now.
Today is my last day of summer...sad. I start my brand new job tomorrow and I am going to be as optimistic as possible. Carsyn is officially registered for second grade, Payton is registered for day care, and dance and gymnastics registration is tonight. By the end of today, we will officially be BUSY!!!
Here's my biggest RV accomplishment so far...I created a ceiling fan! I took a small fan that is supposed to sit on a table and hung it over an overhead cabinet in our room...Voila! We have a ceiling fan! I also learned how to light the stove yesterday. I am getting good at this camping life!
Today's challenge? Cover the windows and skylights...yes, they let beautiful natural light in and make it feel roomier in here...but c'mon....it's over 100 degrees out there! I am thinking some sticky velcro and a trip to Hobby Lobby should do the trick.
Thought for the day??? Why put off for tomorrow what you SHOULD BE DOING today...or should've done TWO WEEKS AGO!!!

Queen of my Trailerhood

2010-08-09T05:26:00.000-07:00

That's me....queen of my trailerhood. It's official...my family of five now resides in a trailer...which sounds better when we say camper...or even classier...RV. I know it sounds a little odd, but it's our reality, and I promise to be positive and ok with it. You see, we have a beautiful 3000 square foot home in Weatherford...fenced in back yard, the dog roams freely...but it's 2 hours away from my husband's dream...owning his own business. It's also 2 hours away from friends and family. We decided to throw caution to the wind in a ridiculously slow housing market and go for it. I pray daily that God will send a buyer to my home in Weatherford, but so far nothing. So here we are...all five of us...mom, dad, 16 year old son, 6 year old daughter, and 4 year old daughter, in a travel trailer. Plus a chihuahua named Giselle. We had to leave a man behind....Tito is our pit bull. Even though he is our beloved family pet, there is quite a stigma attached to that breed. We thought we had a plan for him, but that fell through, so now he is spending one more week in our Weatherford backyard by himself while we hopefully come up with a plan.
I thought if I was going to live with my family in an RV two things should happen. FIRST I should make the most of it and see if it will alter our life for the better. SECOND...I decided I should journal my events to be able to look back on it. Maybe it will be so life changing for us that it will also inspire you.
Thought for the day: "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will wory about itself." I say that every night when I go to sleep and only make a daily to do list...I worry NOT about the next day or next week. For now, we are healthy, sheltered, fed, and together. And TOGETHER is the best place to be!!!

I'm back!!!

2010-07-07T08:59:00.000-07:00

Ok, I just made a promise to myself to get back to my blogging, whether you want to read it or not! So, for those of you who think living in a camper is a little odd, check it out...this is NOT the Coleman pop-up camper I had when I was a kid! This isn't really even camping...it's just living in a tiny house on wheels. We bought a 30 ft. Travel trailer with a full kitchen, air conditioning, full bathroom, cable, wireless internet and two bedrooms (with actual doors!)...one with a full sized queen bed and the other with four bunks...one of which converts into another table....the kids actually have their own room! We all stayed there for 5 days together and not once did I feel cramped or confined. We are lovin it!

It's been a while, I know!

2010-03-30T08:14:00.001-07:00

I know it's been too long and those of you who are faithful are tired of the same photo. Here's what you've missed. Scott turned 40 and we celebrated at home as a family. I got a new car!! Carsyn lost her first top tooth and thinks she is hot stuff. Marcus lettered in Varsity wrestling and will receive his letterman soon. Enjoy the photos!

A Tale of Two Brendas

2010-01-31T14:22:00.000-08:00

I had to scrap a challenge this week about a person who said or did something that impacted my life in a major way. I chose to tell about the crazy decision to move to Texas with the other Brenda, Brenda Skinner, because it not only impacted my life, but also Jill's, since she followed my path about three years later. Brenda and I reconnected on Facebook after losing touch for a long time. She now lives in Ohio and we got to meet each other's families this summer. The page is Orange and Brown for a BGSU tribute.

My favorite ever!!!

2010-01-17T15:39:00.000-08:00

For this challenge, I was supposed to use an entire pack of embellishments I've been saving...intead I used this beautiful patterned paper that I was afraid to cut up...I tried to use every last scrap of it. I love how the colors coordinated with their fairy costumes...and these are probably my favorite photos ever of the girls, taken of course by Amy.

This is one of my favorite scrapbook pages ever...it is so fun! It was inspired by the challenge to pick a song that gets you going...so I came up with a high school oldie...It Takes Two...and I had these photos laying around for a while wanting inspiration...and wallah!!!

Scrappin the Day Away!

2010-01-17T13:36:00.001-08:00

Here are my latest pages...they are actually from last week but I forgot to post. So I will post these then continue on with my next challenges!

The first one is from the challenge to scrap a funny story...so of course I used Payton. So many stories to share with her, but I chose the Tiny Trumpet Christmas story and used a quote bubble for her own words to be remembered....I am loving my tiny flowers I made with my cricut. Payton also signed her own name on this page. If you click on the photos they will enlarge and you can read the journaling!

The second is my pop culture page...I recreated the page to remember the snuggies...and I tried to make the page look like the Snuggie box.

The third is the NO plain paper page...it was tough!!! This is Carsyn's dance recital last year. Even though I wanted some more words at the bottom, I think it is beautiful!

Happy Birthday Momo!

2009-12-30T13:57:00.000-08:00

Momo turned 16 on Monday. He got his license first thing in the morning and we celebrated after dinner. His cake was awesome...totally lookedd like a drivers license. He was thrilled to get even more money and the keys to the Durango.

Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-23T12:32:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family. Sorry the cards did not go out.

Oh Happy Day!!!

2009-12-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

Finally, after a horribly long ordeal of antibiotics, ointments, dr visits and NO haircuts....Marcus was medically cleared this morning and is officially Staph, and some other mysterious bacteria, free!!!

look at me, I'm scrappin again!

2009-11-29T13:42:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Amy and her friend Cheryl, I got my mojo back again for scrappin. I have literally exploded lately. I did six pages today...wanna see?

Thanksgiving ABC's

2009-11-09T07:03:00.000-08:00

Amy tagged me to do the ABC's of what I am thankful for this year. So here goes. I will try to be creative and thoughtful.

A-Amy...for getting gutsy in the last few years and inspiring me as well.

B-Books....thankful that my daughters have now inherited my love for a good story.

C-Carsyn...her curls, her cartwheels and her charisma...so many c's for her!

D-Durango...thankful that after 5 years it keeps running...Marcus is even more thankful that he will have something to drive when he turns 16!

E-Education...glad I went to school to be a teacher, and glad I love teaching after 14 years!

F-Family...well duh! Love them all...whether near or far.

G-God...He has brought us through many difficult times together

H-Healthy...in a year of swine flu and other ailments, we are all ok!

I-Income...thankful that in this economy, my husband and I both have a good one!

J-Jeffrey Scott Elliott...he is the love of my life and my very best friend...what more can I say?

K-Krafts, with a K, because I had to use C for Carsyn...and K for Kreativity...makes life fun!

L-Love...I got a lot of it in my family!

M-Marcus...Thankful that he makes wise choices, is second in his class and loves us!

N-New River Fellowship....we found a church that the whole family loves going to.

O- Ohio...so happy I got to go back and visit this summer! And so thankful for my amazing upbringing in Ohio!

P- Payton...Every thankful to God for bringing her to us safe and sound!

Q-Quick work weeks...I am so busy at school that time flies and weekends are long.

R-Recess...that was Carsyn's pick!

S-Sisters...they always have and always will be my best friends.

T-Teachers....not just me, but all the good ones out there. Most of my favorite people are teachers!

U-Upstairs...thankful that our new house has plenty of room upstairs for all the junk and downstairs stays pretty clean.

V-Vacation...even though we haven't had a formal one in years, just time off work is always a treat!

W-Weatherford: Thankful for our new life in Weatherford and our beautiful new home.

X-Xtra time in the morning since my hubby takes Payton to work for me and the girls get dressed, pack lunch, and eat breakfast by themselves.

Z-Zoe...Rachel Zoe....love that show and it inspires me to be Fab!!! All I need is a fur vest.

Happy Halloween!!!

2009-11-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

Here's us...trick or treating on Halloween. Marcus was stuck at home with a staph infection on his face from wrestling. The girls were the cutest supergirl and cowgirl you have ever seen!

TA-DA!!! I'm still here!

2009-10-16T16:32:00.001-07:00

So the camera broke...and school started...and our schedule got rearranged in such a way this year that I am no longer helping teach...I am the teacher. So life is super-crazy as you can imagine. But after this major milestone that you see from last weekend, I decided I had to rush out and get a new camera...and it is sooooo awesome. So here we are...minus a tooth!

Happy Birthday Carsyn!

2009-08-16T12:43:00.000-07:00

One of my FAVORITE little girls in the world turned 6 yesterday. We surprised with a family bowling day...she has wanted to go bowling since we moved here. Scott's mom came with Mark and surprised Carsyn. Then we went back home and had cake and ice cream. Here's some photos.

I know...it's been a while!

2009-08-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

Ok, I know it's been a while, but here's what we've done since we have come back from Ohio. Amy has posted a bazillion amazing photos on her site...I am waiting for my photo CD to arrive so I can steal her photos! Here are some random photos of swimming lessons and the botanical gardens. Of course, it was only 80 degrees at the most and cloudy during swimming lessons..and then 100 degrees and super sunny during botanical gardens, but we enjoyed both. Carsyn was amazing at swimming lessons...she was jumping off the diving board and swimming all the way back to the ladder by herself. Her teacher, Kelly, wore a ponytail and a headband everyday and so did the girls because they wanted to be just like her. So on the last day Kelly surprised them with their very own headbands. Too cute.

It's all about the love!!!

2009-07-28T10:55:00.001-07:00

I just love this photo...I love the kid, I love the puppy, I love the Longhorns, and I love love love the expression on Payton's face.

Come back to TExas!

2009-07-21T05:15:00.000-07:00

So we are back in Texas now...and the weather has cooled off and it actually has rained two days in a row. Yeah! Here are a few random photos to share. I didn't really take any photos til the day Amy left...my camera is entirely too amateur so I let her take the rest. But she's on vacation and won't send me any til she gets back. Enjoy the last three days of my trip!

A question for my Aunt Nancy...from Payton

2009-07-06T08:36:00.001-07:00

Payton wants to know if there are things in your lake..like nice friendly sharks or something?

Princess Giselle Sparkles Diamond Elliott

2009-07-03T11:50:00.000-07:00

Meet our new puppy...she is so tiny and way too adorable! We call her Giselle, named after the princess in Enchanted, but she has a long list of other names to add to her formal Princess name.

Miss Photogenic at the Splash Park

2009-06-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

Carsyn has turned into a real camera hog....she is always ready for a photo now and has the cutest face everytime! I just loved how she looked in her suit with the blue and red playground and the blue Texas sky!

My Future Olympian

2009-06-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

At the splash park today, Payton bravely attacked this rope climbing thing...she is definitely a gymnast in the making as she displayed flexibility, balance and strength to get to the top!

Help me, Please!

2009-06-11T13:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, so ever since we moved in, I have loved the color of our bedroom and our bed. But other than that I have been lost. I need some input. Visualize and tell me what you think. Moved the zebra chairs to the dining room...too cool. Thinking of putting long black dresser in front of window, buy small flat tv to mount on wall by door...where silver mirror is now, and making real curtains with black out shades...too bright in the mornings...I got several swatched of fabric...I can't find white and black...it's all kinda off white...but i love my black/white lampshades and pictures on the wall. Also, want to get a black upholstered bench for the end of the bed to sit and put your shoes on...or pile dirty laundry and towels if you are my husband. Also, clearly we only have one nightstand and it's really small...suggestions?

Lizzie

2009-06-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we got to see Uncle Mike and Jan's baby girl for the first time at home. Marcus and I got to see her when she was only a few weeks old and so tiny. She is now four months old, at home and up to 7 pounds. The girls loved holding their new baby cousin and she slept peacefully for them.

A Tale of Two BFF's

2009-06-04T16:51:00.000-07:00

Ok, so follow along with this. Since the beginning of the school year, Carsyn has been inseparable from Skylar. She is a hilarious and adorable little girl. Well as you know, last week Carsyn kept telling me that she has a BFF named Emma. The more she talked about it, the more I wondered how poor little Skylar would feel about this sudden change of BFF's. Well sure enough, Carsyn comes home on Monday and goes to her room with some paper, a pencil and a clip board. She asks at three different times how to spell "dear", "Skylar" and "sorry." Then she runs to her backpack, gets something out and goes back to her room.

So finally I can wait no longer and go to check on her. She is in her bed with her sight word ring and a clip board writing a letter that said "Dear Skylar, I am sorry I said I wasn't your best friend anymore. I love you. Carsyn" There was a picture of Carsyn crying at the bottom because she felt so bad about hurting her feelings.

The next morning she folded it up, sealed it with a sticker and took it to school.

I saw Skylar's mom at graduation today and talked to her about it. She said she teared up reading it because Skylar was so excited that Carsyn was still her best friend and she slept with it under her pillow that night.

So here's Carsyn and her two BFF's...Skylar and Emma.

Kindergarten Graduation

2009-06-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

Carsyn graduated from Kindergarten today. I taped signs on the front row seats to reserve my spot...a teacher perk. I was so close that really all I could see was her when the entire kindergarten came in and performed a song. She was beautiful, sang every note and signed it beautifully. And I didn't even shed a tear. Here are some photos...she is with her fourth grade buddies in the photo in the classroom...the four girls she are with have moms who work for our school so they spend time together before and after school...the four of them fight over walking her to class and love to take care of her. She got the biggest box of "summer" crayons and two new Fancy Nancy books as a gift.

The Treehouse!!!!

2009-05-31T07:19:00.001-07:00

It only took three days of hard work in the hot Texas sun to complete the best treehouse ever. OF course it still needs interior and exterior decor, but it is fully functional and totally awesome.

Fly to your Heart

2009-05-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

Carsyn had her dance recital last night and was , of course, beautiful. She danced her ballet to Fly to your Heart from the new Tinkerbell movie and then tapped her heart out to Turn the Beat Around by Gloria Estefan. It was truly a hot mess but we loved it! Here are some photos to share.

A special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa whose flowers and card were mysteriously dropped off on the front doorstep all the way from Ohio as we were getting ready...how did they do that????

We don't have a photo...but we're here!

2009-05-18T14:50:00.001-07:00

Well we haven't taken any photos, but we are definitely still here. We will have big postings at the end of the week...Carsyn has her dance recital and Payton has her spring program...she is the cow. Check back for sure on Saturday or Sunday!!!

Scott's healthy...but the Cowboys aren't

2009-05-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

So the good news is, Scott is healthy again and does NOT have the swine flu...nor do we. We are healthy and enjoying out free time. The other good news is that two major storms have gone around us today...one to the north and one to the south. The bad news is that the Dallas Cowboys practice bubble collapsed during practice today due to a storm which they are not calling a tornado. The news was there filming rookie practice so there is live footage of the whole thing...it's pretty wild.

Marcus and the Swine Flu (totally unrelated topics)

2009-04-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

Two topics to post today...don't be scared...they are totally unrelated.

First of all, here's Marcus at the wrestling banquet. He won the "never quit" award. HE also got his 5th six weeks report card and got all nineties and up in all Pre-AP classes...and he doesn't even have to work that hard! Where'd all those brains come from???

Secondly...Carsyn and I have a week and a half off of school. Ft. Worth ISD, as you may have seen on national news, cancelled all 80 schools at least through next Friday, May 8 because one kid has the swine flu. I guess it was necessary. We are going to stay healthy, get some things accomplished, and of course have a little fun! First we are sanitizing the house...then we will go see the Hanna Montana movie finally!

BTW...Scott has a sinus infection and I quarantined him to the bedroom for another day til the Z-Pac is officially kickin....but he does NOT have the flu...no fever, no chills....no Swine!

Our Life This Week

2009-04-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

No pictures to post, just keeping you up to date on our lives.
First of all...GREAT news...Scott was offered a new job this week. He is still at RDO and doing ok, despite the obvious financial crisis especially when selling major construction eqipment. He is still making money, but life in sales is always unstable...especially in this economy! A friend he met a year ago up here who owns a huge energy company is growing so fast that he needs a manager over his eqipment and someone to purchase new stuff while taking care of the old...yes I know, my vocab on construction and sales is limited, but stick with me. Anyway, they really want him to work for them. There is not downside to this. It is a salaried position which is a breath of fresh air after years of commission. It is management...which makes him feel great. It is with a company and people he really likes. It is a guarantee right now which is really something in this economy. And they will provide him witha truck, a computer, and all of the other good stuff. He hasn't officially started, but he is pretty much taking it...and it super excited, as are we.
So what's the downside of this? Well....they want to buy him a company truck, instead of paying him to use his monster truck right now.... so I am going to have to suck it up and learn how to drive that beast...please pray for me...especially in the parking lot areas. HE has promised he will get me a step because it really is a big truck.
Other than that we are doing end of year busyness...THANKS GOD.....reading and math TAKS tests are next week and then those horrible tests are over. My deaf ed kids have grown by leaps and bounds this year...I am very proud of their reading progress as a result of my hard work and discipline. I did go to the Weatherford ISD job fair last week...I'd love to work "in town" but it was a nightmare...My ADHD was in overdrive with ahundred people around while I interviewed so I honestly can't say what they thought of me. I don't mind my current position, but do have some ethical concerns as far as the pressure and emphasis on TAKS testing.
Carsyn is gearing up for her dance recital in about a month...she performs her Gloria Estefan tap routine at MayFest in Ft. Worth this Thursday. Yeah!
Payton got a new teacher who is a miracle worker...she has been so great since Miss Emily has come around!
And Marcus is just anxiously wrapping up a freshman year. He is at a wrestling banquet tonight in pants, a shirt and tie and is almost taller than Scott.
Pictures will come soon!!!
Off to watch "The WRestler".

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T15:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter everyone! We took advantage of good weather yesterday and took bluebonnet photos of the girls in their Easter dresses. This morning it was very rainy and cold so we stuck to an inside photo. We went to church together at our new church home. It was probably the best Sunday church experience I've ever had. We are very lucky to have been led to another great church. Our service today was at Weatherford High School in the auditorium...they booked it in hopes of a huge crowd and they got it! We just hung out and prepared an Easter feast the rest of the afternoon...and had an in-house egg hunt because of the rain. Now we just finished our feast of ham, cheesy potatoes, layered salad, deviled eggs and rolls. As soon as we digest that we will have dessert...I made a three layer carrot cake recipe from Southern Living magazine that should be amazing.

The Heimlich...One more time!

2009-04-06T17:16:00.000-07:00

Can you believe Payton was eating a piece of bacon on the couch on Sunday and started to choke. She coughed a few times then looked at me and pointed in her mouth when I said, Payton are you allright? So I gently gave her a few thrusts and nothing. I grabbed her around her ribs and jiggled her up and down as I quickly carried her to a more open area and she started to cough. She looked at me with watery eyes and a red face and I said "Payton, are you ok now?" She nodded her head and I said "SAy something to me!" And that little angel looked me right in the eye and said
"Did I scare you half to pieces mommy?"
YES Payton...you scared me half to pieces.
What is it with my family and the heimlich???

Checkin' In

2009-04-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

So here we are again...official photos to post. Many thanks to Amy for several things.

1. For sending Karlee and official AGD NY shirt and hat

2. For taking the fab family photo which is now framed in an Elliott family heirloom frame

3. For passing on some organizational skills...check out our closet

We have been busy this spring on home improvements. Scott built a huge shelf for the closet to utilize the space better. Marcus and I painted my bathroom blue to match my bedroom. We have spent countless hours on the yard...the girls are posing in the beginnings of a girl space...our rose garden. Many thanks to my interpreter, Donna, for hookin me up with lots of free flowers from her backyard last Friday! I also finally enlarged and framed a family photo amy took at Christmas above our mantel. The frame was a family heirloom from Scott's grandma...it actually had a huge handpainted portrait of his dad when he was younger. I also included a few zoo photos...we finally made it there last Saturday with Jill and her family...check out those birds...have you really ever seen that happen? Too hilarious!!!

Hello World!

2009-04-01T09:55:00.001-07:00

Hello World! Just wanted to let y'all know that the Elliott's are still alive and kickin. It has been so nice out that I rarely want to sit at a computer. So sorry about the lack of posting...maybe I will try to get some updates this weekend. We have been fixing up our landscaping, taking walks, and cooking out together. Fun family times. We really only sit inside to eat, sleep and watch Dancing with the Stars and American Idol.

What is up with y'all?????

2009-03-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

OK, I am very concerned that Amy was the only one who commented on my water-choking incident in my last blog. Do y'all understand that I really choked...I mean couldn't breathe in air...and my husband AND son had to give me the heimlich in a parking lot of a huge major hospital? Don't you find it shocking? And rare? And dangerously frightening? And just plain ridiculous?
Or all y'all not even goin' there because it was me...and we can just chalk that one up to yet another of my doesn't-make-sense-but I'm-fine-now-near-death experiences?

Catchin' Up

2009-03-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I know it's been a long time, and I have no photos to share, but lots to fill you in on.
1. The 4th grade writing TAKS test is done...hallelujah. That was a nightmare to prepare for. The night before the TAKS while Scott was still in Arizona I started to feel really sick. I couldn't take the day off because I had to administer it to my students so I dragged my nauseous tired self to work on Tuesday and made it through somehow. I was in bed all day Wednesday and Thursday completely nauseous...it was horrible. Friday I went back to work.

2. We went to Killeen/Temple over the weekend. On Saturday we went to JIll's for Mia's party and just hung out. Then Jill and I went to see the Shopaholic movie, which was fabulous.

3. On Sunday we went to see Ganny...hadn't seen her since we moved. We picked up a dozen Shipley's donuts and visited with her for a little while. She was so happy to see us!

4. Then we went to the hospital to meet our newest family member, Lizzy. She literally took my breath away because she is so tiny, but perfect. She is truly a miracle. It really is amazing to see her and much of a fighter she is already.

5. I choked...on water...and Scott and Marcus both took turns giving me the heimlich maneuver in the parking lot of Scott and White Hospital til I could breathe again. I mean really...who does that???

6. We spent time on the farm after the hospital and lunch. We threw rocks in the tank, found "dinosaur bones" (cow bones), and Scott got to shoot his guns. It was cool to just be able to drive around and explore and relax together. It was also 85 degrees and sunny so we loved it.

7. Now I am back for one week in the real world, and not feeling well again...I think the problem this time is that it was 85 and sunny on Sunday and now the drought has broken...it is 35 degrees and rainy and dreary...it sucks and our sinuses are all feeling it.

8. Next week is SPRING BREAK!!!

Scott's gone...Day1

2009-03-01T15:02:00.000-08:00

So Scott is off to Arizona again for three days. Last time he left, Carsyn got pneumonia. This time the kids and I went off shopping...we were supposed to go to the teacher store in ft. Worth. Marcus went along just cuz he was bored.
Well, in true Brenda fashion, I got side-tracked and things were a little drawn out. We ordered photos at Sam's, then returned some frames to JOann Fabric and bought some trim for lamps, then drove through Mcdonald's, then picked up our photos at Sam's, then drove to another area of town, then found a TJ Maxx, then realized Payton was asleep, so Marcus decided to stay in the car while she napped. That's when the trouble started. Carsyn and I were in the store forever....we found great treasures for the girls at great prices cuz as you know, You get the MAXX for the minimum at TJ Maxx! When we were paying, Marcus and Payton came inside, then Marcus and Carsyn went out to the car while Payton and I went to the restroom, then Payton and I found another dress for the girls we had to have, then we go out to the car, Scott called to say his plane landed (no lightning this time) and the car would NOT start...I let Scott hear the obnoxious noise it was making and he diagnosed a dead battery. So we found a nice old man to jump start who suggested we go straight home in case it doesn't start up again. Then the gas light came on...but we couldn't stop cuz the car might not start. So now we're back home, the car still works, we have no gas...
AND we never made it to the teacher store. I need ritalin...it's official.
By the way...do you like the new clothes??? Nevermind...blogger isn't letting me upload photos...you'll have to wait. But trust me, they are cute!

I Heart Texas

2009-02-27T14:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was amazing. It was almost 90 degrees. It was sunny. The sky was blue. I wore a skirt and flip flops to school. We had hamburgers on the grill and drank Dos Equis with lime while the girls played outside in barefeet and ate popsicles. And best of all we don't have to buy tulips to appreciate them...they are already blooming in everyone's yards! Yes folks, remind me again in August why I moved here cuz this is it!

Sick Child #3

2009-02-24T07:53:00.000-08:00

Wonder how I have so much time to blog? I am home with sick child number 3. First Carsyn had pneumonia. The next week Marcus has pharyngitis. Now this week Payton has strepthroat. She is feeling a lot better today but had to stay home because she's still contagious. She was NOT feeling well yesterday but her boyfriend, Batman, watched over her while she slept. Isn't that giant guy fabulous? Today she is up and at 'em in her Spiderman pajamas riding her Spiderman scooter.

Our handiwork

2009-02-24T07:45:00.000-08:00

We have been very busy around the house finishing things and reorganizing. In the past week we have painted the ceilings to match the entry walls, painted the blinds a light brown instead of a blinding white, reorganized the pantry, did some finishing touches in my bedroom and started an herb garden. This will probably be of interested to no one but Amy...you know how she loves organization! Check out my memo board...i estimated that we need to drink about 70 more bottles of wine to finish the pattern...that may take a while!

Your Next Project Runway Star!

2009-02-24T07:37:00.000-08:00

Carsyn has this amazing knack for fashion...she really understands what works and what doesn't. The other day she found a skirt of mine upstairs in the playclothes and figured out how to turn it into a strapless dress by using a scarf to hold it up. It may not photograph well...but check out how she wrapped that scarf around to make straps...it was very impressive. MAKE IT WORK! By the way...the accessories were all her doing too!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2009-02-24T07:24:00.000-08:00

Scott turned ????? last Thursday. Here are some photos of our in-house celebration!

100 Day Celebration

2009-02-14T13:59:00.001-08:00

Carsyn celebrated 100 day at school last Tuesday. She was supposed to dress like she was 100 years old so we made her an official member of the red hat society.

Toddlers and Tiara's Part 2

2009-02-09T07:57:00.000-08:00

Here's Payton's version of Toddler's and Tiaras. We had no false eyelashes and she does not have the hair volume of her sister...we would definitely need a hair piece. Does anyone watch that show besides me? It's crazy!

Pretty Pretty Payton

2009-02-09T07:52:00.000-08:00

So, as you all know, Payton is quite a character. This morning I went to school early to do some paperwork. Marcus was supposed to make sure he and the girls were dressed and ready so when I got home we could take him to school. Payton dressed herself in this getup...what do you think? How come she can mix anything together and look adorable? Is it because she's three or because she's Payton?

Sick Day

2009-02-09T07:39:00.000-08:00

So Carsyn started in with a fever on Friday night. After two days of that off and on, plus some breathing problems saturday night we went to the doctor yesterday and found out she has pneumonia. Well technically it's not pneumonia yet, but they are treating it like it is because it was very close. Here's my sick girl in bed. Today she's bouncing off the walls since the albuterol and sterroids have kicked in!

Little Miss Sunshine

2009-01-31T18:35:00.000-08:00

So tonight we were watching Toddlers and Tiaras on tv and decided to make Carsyn into a beauty queen. We were lacking bobby pins and her hair is not voluminous. We also do not have a pageant dress. But here's the outcome...complete with fake eyelashes. What do you think...should we enter her in the next pageant at the mall?

So this is what I get for braggin...

2009-01-28T15:40:00.000-08:00

Sorry to all my northern friends/family for braggin...we are now day two in an ice storm. Yesterday morning Momo's school got called off...he stayed home with Payt. Carsyn and I braved Ft. Worth ISD together. Half of my kids were absent. By 11 I was so nervous and tired of checking the weather that I finally talked to my principal and she surprisingly said to go home. So I had a half day off for free. By ten o clock last night Ft. Worth schools were all called off. We all stayed home today. I spent the time cleaning, catching up on laundry, finishing my latest book (One Fifth Avenue...highly recommend it, especially if you are a sex and the city fan), and finding old friends on facebook. Actually a once inseparable friend of mine, known as the other Brenda, found me today on facebook. She was the one who took started this Texas adventure with me. I hadn't heard from her in years and was really excited to start the catching up process. I hope she's checking this out now! Gotta go...Scott and I are now two weeks into the P90X workout and diet program so my delicious dinner of Salmon and Quinoa are almost ready...it's not that filling, but trying new things is always interesting. Stay warm!

To my friends and family up north...

2009-01-22T16:40:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to tell you that it was 80 degrees and sunny today...like summer in Ohio...seriously. I had recess duty and never wanted to come in because it was so beautiful. But alas, it is supposed to be a high of 40 by Saturday.

To all my Ohio family

2009-01-04T15:43:00.000-08:00

I just have two words for you.....HOOK 'EM!!!!!

See ya at the Fiesta Bowl!!!

Girls Day Out!

2009-01-04T15:38:00.000-08:00

Grandma's present to Carsyn and Jenna was a day out at the American Girl Store in Dallas. Amy, Jill, Mom, Carsyn, Jenna, and I went along with Karlee and Marissa...the dolls. The dolls got their hair styled at the salon. Then we all went to a very pink brunch and then shopped. Karlee and Marissa each got new snowbunny winter outfits and glasses.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-04T15:36:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's non alcoholic...but tons of fun anyway!

Christmas with Nana and Papa

2009-01-04T15:31:00.000-08:00

The Monday after Christmas, Nana and Papa came to visit. They brought the girls some very special gifts and then we all visited and went out to lunch. Carsyn got Fancy Nancy and her dog, Frenchy. Payton got Batgirl and Batboy Barbies and the most awesome gift ever....Batman mask and wings that open like parachutes with a huge wingspan. Thanks Nana!

Just a cute photo of my kids

2008-12-29T15:01:00.001-08:00

We went to Ashley Bonheim's wedding on Saturday night on Ft. Hood. The kids were cute, so I took this photo of them.

Happy Birthday Momo!

2008-12-29T14:57:00.000-08:00

Marcus turned 15 on Sunday. We celebrated on Christmas day with a homemade cheesecake that was to die for. Happy Birthday Momo!!!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-29T14:10:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! We had an exciting Christmas morning at our home. On Saturday we went back to Killeen for a wedding and then had Christmas with my family on Sunday. Today Scott's mom and Papa came to visit and brought another exciting round of gifts. I will post pictures as I download them. Enjoy!

Christmas Anticipation!

2008-12-24T18:42:00.000-08:00

So it is only 8:42 pm and according to the Santa Tracking website, he has just started into South America. Scott is taking a nap on the couch, all the gifts are wrapped, and the kids are all camping out upstairs anxiously awaiting Santa in their new jammies that were mysteriously dropped off at our doorstep earlier this evening. I am like a kid...I am so excited to get this whole thing going! This has been an exciting year...Carsyn wrote the note to Santa which is a major milestone! I have a mystery gift from Neiman Marcus that Scott splurged on today...I am dying to see it. So I will go back to the Nutcracker now and wait til the kids are sound asleep to wake scott up...he's got two scooters to put together and some cookies and milk to eat which were freshly frosted a few hours ago!

PS...Did I mention I went blonde again? I felt old and boring so went extreme a few days ago.

Our Little Angel...Amidst the Chaos

2008-12-14T06:47:00.000-08:00

Payton had a Christmas Program for her daycare last night. Of course, she was adorable. She sang and danced beautifully. Overall, the program was a disaster. We couldn't see anything, the kids were too quiet and all the babies were screaming. She stole the show with a little comment...but I have to figure out how to add the video. But here are some photos...she was posing like crazy after the show.

For Lori

2008-11-29T15:10:00.000-08:00

I found this at Target yesterday and am "virtually" drinking it with you, Lori...isn't this awesome? You have to google it...they have a website and the writing is hilarious!!! CHEERS!!!

Disneyland on Ice!!!

2008-11-29T15:03:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday night we went to see Disneyland on Ice. My friend Jennifer and her girls came to visit and went with us. Her parents live in Dallas. We had a great time at our girls night out. Here are some photos of cotton candy blue faces, various light up overpriced toys and our Dash mask.

Our Holiday Home...A Guided Tour by Carsyn and Payton

2008-11-24T16:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our holiday home. Carsyn and Payton will be your hostesses on your tour! Yes, we are done decorating. It is exciting to be in a new home and since I have the privelage of an entire week off, we got it done early. Please note our NEW dining room and at least 7 trees...more if you count the metal ones by the tv...that would be 10. The empty one is Marcus'. For whatever reason, he has not decorated it yet. The three together in the window are in our bedroom. How do you like the wreath on a mirror? I saw it in a magazine and am going to write JOY under it in gold acrylic paint...it supposedly washes off. And above the mantle I want to paint a huge wooden sign or art canvas that says "the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in the hopes that st. nicholas soon would be there."

Who Am I?

2008-11-21T14:17:00.001-08:00

Today Carsyn had a Thanksgiving Feast at school. Can you guess who she is? Look very carefully at the headband...it is spelled out...but it takes two photos to show the whole word. I could not be more impressed with her phonetic spelling.

Happy Halloween!!!

2008-11-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

Last night we went trick or treating in our new neighborhood. This was a big deal for us because we've never had a neighborhood. We had lots of fun. The girls were adorable and did a great job maneuvering the hills and steps of our neighborhood. We got tons of candy and their costumes were a big hit. Be sure to notice Scott's amazing pumpkins...he worked very hard on them. Also, notice Payton's costume which I got for only $5 on ebay...it is gorgeous in person...Don't worry Mia...I am saving it for you!

what do you think?

2008-10-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

We spent a long time this weekend redecorating our house. I told Scott I wanted it to look like model home and my goal was by Christmas...actually I told him this before we moved here. So here it is...almost November...and we got the idea to paint. This idea turned into Friday night, all day Saturday and a few more hours today with two to three of us working. But it is so awesome. What do you think? We are debating between two curtains...then we need to buy them in the correct length. And of course...we need more finishing help. You'll be happy to know that Scott mounted the mirror so he doesn't have to stand there all the time. What do we put in the big vase? And what do we do with the giant unfinished E?

Photos of Paytons' birthday

2008-10-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

The celebrating went on from last Friday, when she got her first gift from my grandma Davis, whom she shares a birthday with (she knitted a complete outfit for a baby doll), to Saturday when we went to Build a Bear (minus Luke who was at my house throwing up from an ear infection) to her afternoon birthday party/gifts from us, Jill and Nana, to Monday after her bath when she got a UPS gift package from Aunt Amy and Grandma. Thanks for all of the gifts...she loves them all!

Happy Birthday Payton!

2008-10-22T17:47:00.000-07:00

Today Payton turned 3...hard to believe that she is officially a preschool aged child and not a baby anymore. Words can't express how we all feel about her. Everyone that knows her is blessed...she is just special. She is unique, exuberant and just a joy to be around. She keeps us all on our toes. Here are a few examples:
1. We went to build a bear for her birthday. She didn't want a bear...she wanted a longhorn, and she wanted to dress her in a batman costume...unfortunately longhorns can't wear batman's hood so she settled for a cheerleading costume and named her "Orange."

2. She got a mermaid barbie for her birthday...and a batman barbie...and loves them both equally.

3. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday dinner...she's three...she wanted steak, mashed potatoes and green beans...can we say daddy's girl?

4. She got to pick out cupcakes for school...she wanted cupcakes with spiders.

5. She said this on the way to school today" Mommy....do you know camel guy?" (she meant to say the goatman, an old Mexican legend) "Camel guy sucks out your blood and eats you like steak."

6. She also sings God Bless America almost daily...mostly in lieu of a traditional dinner time prayer...she learned this at school..

7. She retells the story of Moses.... except in her version, Moses is a girl who was chased away by bad guys and rescued by a princess.

So hopefully this helps you all understand our love for this precious little miracle...we are blessed to have her. Enjoy the photos!!!

Tourists...Our big day out.

2008-10-03T16:09:00.001-07:00

Last Sunday we had a big day out in the city. Since we have moved here, we have been busy settling in. Thanks to Pippi (Jill's class project) we decided to take the kids to the stockyards to explore their new town. We had lunch at Risky's barbecue. We also walked around and checked out the longhorn, the Indian with his painted horse, and a crazy balloon clown who made longhorn balloon hats. After lunch we wandered into some tacky souvenir shops and then Marcus rode the mechanical bull.

After that we drove downtown and ran into the watergardens. The kids, and Pippi of course, took a walk all the way down to the bottom.

Here are some photos...don't worry, JIll, we won't send your students all of the Pippi photos...she got a little wild and crazy in the stockyards and we had to cut her off!

Who needs a Pool?

2008-10-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

We thought we'd really miss our pool when we moved, but discovered this wonderful mud puddle instead...who needs a pool? This is much cheaper than installing a pool and rain gutters...and it's cool, fun, and lessens your chances of drowning!

Don't Blink

2008-09-24T16:29:00.000-07:00

Know that country song, Don't Blink? That was me today...my baby girls are big. Payton had to have a big girl backpack...it's as big as her and there's nothing in it...but she is big and important.

Then after school Carsyn said "It's no fair that Marcus has a desk and I don't...where am I supposed to do my homework?" So she practiced her letter m and the number 1 at Momo's desk...like a big girl.

Take me out to the ballgame!

2008-09-24T16:25:00.001-07:00

Last Friday Scott took me to my first ballgame in a LONG time...we saw a great game between the Rangers and the Angels...The Rangers lost but put up a good fight. I had my name on the scoreboard between innings...oops, they spelled my name wrong!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

2008-09-14T10:36:00.000-07:00

Friday was my birthday. It was uneventful at school...no one knew except my aide and interpreter. But after school Scott dazzled me as usual with his surprises. He and Marcus came home with dinner and a cake. Then they pulled out the gifts. I had made a hair appointment at a new salon for Saturday...Scott called them and arranged for a mani, pedi and massage to add on so I was there for hours yesterday. I also got a Rangers hat...and two tickets to the Rangers/Angels game next Friday. I haven't been to a baseball game since I met Scott so it was a big deal. Marcus got me some speakers for my Ipod. Enjoy the photos and be sure to notice my awesome "Fantastic Fourth" t shirt...it's pretty hideous but Iwas glad the teachers included me in their grade level shirts from last year...one teacher calls it the roller derby shirt.

Thanks, Uncle Tony!

2008-09-07T16:57:00.001-07:00

Thanks to my Uncle Tony who works for Whirlpool and got us a great deal on new appliances. WE got a new cooktop, hood, dishwasher and my favorite...washer and dryer.

Here are some photos...plus some other kitchen updates for mom to see. I should also add that we have a "wine" theme going in the kitchen.

I also included a photo of our "photo stairway." At least half the photos are by Amy so I feel like it should be an art gallery for her...but it is fun and makes it look like we've lived in our home for a long time.

2nd week, 2nd game, and random other stuff

2008-09-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

So here's some updates on us.

Attached are some new photos...Carsyn during the second week of school outside the building...forgot my camera the first week. Marcus' second football game...he's a blue kangaroo...number 86...don't know where he is in the photo...notice the turf field.

Other than that we are just hanging out...we have curtains and almost everything is unpacked now...except for the china since we still have no dining room furniture.

Our Weekend

2008-09-01T09:53:00.000-07:00

Jill and Marc came to visit this weekend, of course with Luke and Mia. We had a good relaxing time just hanging out and visiting. Check Jill's blog for the battle wounds to prove the fun!

Jill and I had tons of fun at World Market shopping on Saturday...we were probably there for and hour and a half. Then shopped around at Hobby Lobby...I got a new giant spoon so my oversized cutlery collection in the kitchen is once again complete. She also gave me a fresh eye for some finishing touches.

ON Sunday Jill and I went dining room furniture shopping and narrowed it down to two choices...now we just have to commit to the money!

Scott and Marc had a bigger adventure...they drove to Haltom City with the truck and trailor to get a giant sectional sofa with sleeper sofa and two recliners....for only $460! It is perfect for hanging out upstairs. Then Jill and I came up with a game plan for organizing toys, which I finished today. We did make a few changes and moved around the couch.

Thanks especially to Marc...that sofa weighed a ton!!!

Here are some new home photos and some fun photos of the kids. We went to feed the ducks, which are right around the corner but a little too far to walk with so many little ones. But too short to bother with a bunch of car seats....so we strapped in Mia and threw the bigger four kids in the back end. The ducks and geese were bigger than Mia and bold...they pecked at Payton's shirt because she had crumbs on it!

Oh and why, do you ask, are the three children sitting in the window? Because they decided to take down my retaining wall out back brick by brick in the rain...when we caught them we made them sit in time out and watch Marcus put it back together, then apologize to him when he came in.

Happy Belated Birthday, Carsyn!

2008-08-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

Carsyn turned five right in the middle of the move. She got to go to the American Girl store in Dallas with grandma and mommy to pick out a new doll and some accessories. On her birthday we had pizza and a Little Pet Shop Cake and a few other gifts. She had the first official birthday celebration in our new home.

I know the photos are horrible...my camera is not cooperating lately.

First Day

2008-08-25T15:07:00.001-07:00

Today was our first day of school...Marcus is still at football practice, so I don't know how his went. However, the girls and I had a great day. Here are some photos. Notice the new haircuts...only for the girls, Marcus won't cut his. Payton looks like a little girl from the 1920's...too cute. Notice her hair from the back in the last picture! And there's a fantastic picture of me...Carsyn took it and said "Good one!" So I posted it so you don't forget me.

Welcome to Weatherford!

2008-08-24T18:08:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! WE are here and finally have internet and the connection cable for my camera. The house is still a disaster, but here it is. It's amazing what a week and a lot of hard work can do. The house is ours now and looks nothing like the mess it was a few weeks ago! We have new roof, new AC upstairs, new carpeting everywhere and got it professionally cleaned (it took them 8 hours!). We all start school tomorrow so school photos will follow. My camera battery was almost dead so the photos aren't the greatest...you will have to come see for yourselves!

I love love love our bedroom...the blue walls are gorgeous with our furniture. I painted the old dressers black and they look amazing. And my zebra chairs are awesome. Our master bath is huge...my area is like a hair salon. Our closet is also huge.

The girls' room is coming along. But as you can see it still is a mess. Marcus' room is also not finished, but pretty much the same as the old house.

The girls and guests get to share the princess bath...a real treat! The guest room is now officially called the "Texas Friendship Room." It is lovely, and has only one rule...each guest much add one small thing to the room to represent themselves and our friendship...so far Smithwick, Bonheim and my mom have all contributed.

I cooked my first meal in the kitchen tonight...it is so big and fabulous...the pantry is amazing. WE are getting some new appliances from uncle tony. Notice the knife and fork on the wall...a fun find at hobby lobby...There was a spoon but the hanger broke today and it just crashed to the tile and smashed into a million pieces...I am hoping they will replace it.

The living room is pretty much complete...our new sectional leather sofa is amazing...and roomy as you can see. Any suggestions for above the tv? WE just have a few finishing touches left plus curtains.

The upstairs is a mess...but has lots of potential. The dining room is completely empty...we are taking donations for new furniture! For now it has a rug and china in boxes. Sad. We did paint the front door barn door red and love it.

One of my favorite spots is the laundry room. IT's so big and now we have hooks, a bench and a calendar for backpacks, purses, shoes etc. Love it.

so here are some photos. ENjoy...and feel free to give design tips...we need some!

Thanks to mom and dad, Barbara and Mark, Grandma Legan and Harrison, and Sharla for all of their help...we truly appreciate it and invite you all to come back and enjoy it this time!

The official word

2008-07-31T06:11:00.000-07:00

I guess I haven't shared our official moving info. We are closing on this house next Friday, August 8. Then we will hopefully close on our new house by the 15th...we are still crossing our fingers for earlier! We will be hanging around here or there until then...most likely in a hotel in Ft. Worth so we can take care of business.

A random Marcus comment

2008-07-31T06:09:00.000-07:00

So Marcus has a random comment the other day that goes like this...must be great to be so "young!"

Marcus: Mama, was Lassie a show when you were a kid?

Me: No, that was probably back when grandpa was a kid.

Marcus: Really? I didn't think it was THAT old!!!!

Mamma Mia!

2008-07-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

I saw Mamma Mia in the theaters last Friday with my friends. We saw the actual musical in Austin last spring. The movie was awesome...a must see for all ABBA girls out there. Merryl Streep was amazing...she can really sing and looks amazing still. Pierce Brosnan was a bit of a let down...sure he looks good, but he really isn't a good singer. YOU MUST SEE IT!

More on our house

2008-07-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

So Tuesday I went to Ft. Worth for a very long 4 hour oriention for the school district. After that, Scott and I went to the house for the inspection. In case I didn't mention, we did settle on an offer...we managed to get the house for $55,000 less than the original list price which is funny because we sold our house for $55,000 less than what we wanted.

Anyway, the inspection went relatively well...unless of course you call needing a new roof a big deal...yes seriously. Apparently when a horrible storm came through in May there was extensive damage and it needs replaced. But apparently the seller already knew this and had been working on it with his insurance. Several other houses in the neighborhood were getting work done too.

Of course, the guy still hasn't cleaned up...or stopped drinking and smoking, but oddly enough i was really really excited. The house is big and spread out and will be amazing once we settle in!

We still aren't sure on exact closing dates for either house, but are working on that!

Here are some more photos. Did we mention we just realized we live right by a lake? Lake Weatherford is right outside our neighborhood...maybe a mile to themarina and picnic area with swimming...and ducks to feed! Wow!

Kindergarten Carsyn

2008-07-15T15:55:00.001-07:00

We ran into Children's place on the way home today to check out their uniform selection. Carsyn will be going to school with me next year and has to wear uniform. We cleaned house...$120 later we got all of this...she is super excited and I am overwhelmed with how cute she is but how big she is getting!

Our New Home...Maybe???

2008-07-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

After countless hours of online and reality searching, we think this is it. It's a home in Weatherford, TX. A big country town just west of Ft. Worth...they have a lake and a farmer's market...love it! Anyway, we put in a bid on this house today. We are determined to get it...just hope we get it for the low low price we bid on!

It's kinda funny that if you would see this house right now you wouldn't believe it... a man apparently lives there alone. No furniture in the three bedrooms, minimal furnishings elsewhere, tons and tons of AFLAC paperwork (job related) and more alcohol and cigarettes than you can imagine...the man obviously has a problem...but he kept the smoke outside and the house will be gorgeous when it's ours.

We will put in all new countertops, brand new appliances and my fav...granite counters!!! What do you think?

Can I hear an "Amen!"

2008-07-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

Well it's done...our house is finally undercontract. We had an offer that was really low and turned it down. Then we had four people in one week come through but not make an offer...so we accepted the low one. We are more than fine now...we had plenty of equity inthis house so we didn't lose anything...just didn't make as much as we would have liked. We will close on or before August 15.
So tomorrow we head to Ft. Worth...i need to sign my contract and we need to pick out a home. It is very excited for me...and so relieving!
I must say that I have really seen God in action in our lives through all of this and am rejoicing because of it. Everytime we had a question, he answered. It all worked out...in his time. I have really really tried to take the word "anxious" out of my vocabulary through all of this and have really started to feel peace. Thanks to all of you for your support. We really needed it...and still do!
Photos will come soon of us...and the home we choose!
Last night after we received the official word, I opened my bible and looked up "rejoice." I found this and it just really hit home.

I Peter 1:6 "In this you will greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory"

Nothing new...just tryin to stay postive

2008-07-01T15:44:00.000-07:00

Nothing new at the Elliott house. I just subbed for 7 days of summer school...between that and the economic stimulus check which we should finally get this week thanks to a glitch in turbo tax, that should cover the gap in pay between Killeen ISD an Ft. Worth ISD.
We dropped the price on our house and are just waiting for some action. Someone looked on Sunday night,but no offers yet. We are praying and staying as positive as we can. I start work in Ft. Worth in 7 weeks...so we gottabe outta here by then. We don't have a plan B...the house just has to sell. So please keep us in your prayers. Everyone including me says that it'll sell...but some days, like today for instance, I just have a hard time waiting and get upset. So pray for the sale and pray for faith and patience on our behalf
Other than that, we plan to just do nothing fora while. Carsyn is a swimming maniac...you should see her go. She is amazing. Payton continues to get into trouble daily, but she's just so darn cute she usually gets away with it and makes us laugh. Marcus is probably bored to death by now...as most kids his age are. Scott is still chillin at the Budget Suites in Ft. Worth...and starting tohate it. It seems like a dreadful waste of money...and even though he's in a non-smoking room, he comes home with laundry that smells like a bar every weekend.
We are ready to celebrate our last Troy, TX 4th of July in our pool and attending local fireworks.
Nothing more to say really...just wanted to post all of this so you knew we were still around and do not give up blogging that easily!
By the way...any bachelorette watchers? I got sucked in this season and it's just tearing me apart...I wish I knew more single girls since three of the guys who got the boot live in the DFW area!

Paybacks and What you can get for 99cents

2008-06-24T18:27:00.000-07:00

Here's two photos from the pool today.

The first I entitle "Paybacks." Payton is most certainly paybacks for everything reckless and ridiculous scott and I ever did...and she's only 2. Here's her giant bruise on her forehead as a result of falling into the window sill while wrestling Carsyn. I also caught her making Ken and Barbie kiss in the pool today...and SHE"S ONLY 2!!!

The second is what you can get for 99cents at Academy...the greatestsports store in Texas...these awesome goggles were less than a dollar. She swims like a fish in them!

Look What I Can Do!

2008-06-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

Where have we been?

2008-06-22T15:16:00.000-07:00

So, I know we have been hiding for a while now. I don't have any photos, but I'll write.
First of all, we did NOT sell the house...they bought a house in Holland...as in a cruddy town in Texas with horrible schools. Very disappointing. So we are back to square one. Actually I think we are in the negatives because our air conditioning broke yesterday afternoon...it's suposed to get fixed tomorrow. We are getting anxious about the sale and the living apart thing i definitely getting old...and expensive. So keep on praying!
Last weekend was father's day and our anniversary. Scott and I went out to dinner at our favorite restaurant to celebrate year number 6...seems like just yesterday i was in a panick over a random texas summer rainstorm and an outdoor wedding! I ran into one of my little flower girls yesterday...she's bigger than me, gorgeous and going into middle school...crazy
For father's day we got Scott Rockband for the PS2...I got it for a steal of a deal on Amazon...$120 and free shipping. It is so much fun. I am a fantastc drummer...but Scott, Marcus and I switch out drums, guitar and singing to keep us well rounded...gotta be prepared!
That's about it for now. I got suckered into subbing a week of summer school while a friend is recovering from surgery and another is at a conference in Dallas...I have to be up and out of the house by 6:45 everyday this week....but it's good money!

I need help!!!

2008-06-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

I need a word or a short phrase to title this picture on a scrapbook page. Amy tookit last summer at Lake Erie..but it doesn't look like summer vacation...it looks...????? I can't come up ith a title. Help!

Greetings from Cowtown!

2008-06-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

No, we haven't moved yet...but we're getting closer! Payton, Marcus and I went up this week while Jill had Carsyn at SeaWorld. I got a job teaching deaf ed in an elementary school...quite a change from my last ten years, but I am excited about it. The best news is that it is on the side of town we wanted, Carsyn can go to school with me and we found an awesome day care right across the street for Payton! Now all we need is a home and a school for Marcus.

Please pray pray pray for this house to sell. We are getting anxious, but still have two months til school starts.

Here are some Cowtown photos for you!