Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving

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Giving thanks.

Something I feel I do not do nearly enough. It is so easy to complain about the stresses of the day, embrace frustration when your toddler throws a tantrum right in the middle of the grocery store and want to crawl into bed and NEVER come out after a loooong sleepless night. How easy is it for the negativity to creep in and take solace in my mind when in fact what I need to be listening to resonates in my heart?

I am thankful.

I am thankful for all the obvious things that one should be thankful for like family, faith, friends and a loving home. For security and laughter ---and of course for coffee. These to me are no-brainers… perhaps the fact that I can’t imagine life without these basics means I have even that much more to be thankful for. If only everyone could have those basic securities that they so rightfully deserve.

The pillars in my life are easy to see. They never falter and are always there to graciously do more than their part to help me stand. But what I find is it is the small things that often get overlooked… the tiny seemingly insignificant moments that tend to carry the most weight in my level of happiness---a constant reminder that I am not solely in charge--- and for that I am thankful. For just a handful of these teensy moments have shaped my happiness and love more than ever thought possible...



And for that… I give thanks!

Wishing you all a wonderful thanksgiving holiday,
The Mays

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Cher

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At the start of our last “winter” season, I realized that Molly really didn’t have coat for those frequent “cold” nights here in Texas… This warranted a nice little coat shopping trip.I really had the perfect coat in mind as I just knew that Molly would look adorable in a cute little lined pea-coat.

Yes, my child may just be another opportunity to play dress up as an adult- so sue me… I consider it a literal fruit of my labor (a little fruit perhaps--- a kiwi maybe?)

Per usual, Molly had her own ideas about her winter apparel on our shopping soiree.

The pea was quickly replaced with fluff and the classic brown transformed into florescent pink. That’s right folks, the girl could stop traffic with her colors. But it was hers and beautiful and she was in love. Like love-love-three-year-old-nothing-better-in-this-world-than-perhaps-extra-marshmallows-in-your-hot-chocolate type of love. It was intense and there was no negotiating. Welcome to the family, pink snow fluff coat--- we think we’ll name you “Cher”.

I have to admit I might have shamefully allowed her partake in activities that I normally wouldn’t in such apparel (like painting, eating spaghetti, rolling in mud…you get it). You know, for all the apparel I seem to effortlessly destroy, Cher was indestructible. It seemed that there was no way our Cher was going to “go gentle into that good night.” She was here to stay.

I had one thing to last me through the winter… the changing of the seasons. Kids grow. Molly would grow and Cher… well she would soon take up residence in Aunt Katy’s house. Hehe. I just don't think that I was prepared for the miracle that took place this year on Solta Drive. You see, it seems that Cher grew too.
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I know, it is a lot to take in. I'll give you a minute.
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First week of true cold was last week. Molly's spry-self reached the closet seconds before me and just like that, Cher was back. She had re-emerged pink, fluffy, and quite impossibly now a 3T. Fits like a glove … a florescent one. The love has now been replaced with the heightened intensity that distance can only bring- it apparently does make the heart grow fonder.

I may be a little crazy about the helmet wearing at the May household but I will NEVER have to worry about broken bones from a bike fall.

Super pink fluffy padding? Check.


Anyone else looking at this picture find yourself humming Blue Lagoon too?

“Ain't nothing gonna break my stride…Nobody's gonna slow me down…
Oh no, I've got to keep on moving”


Fashionista 1 – Mommy 0.

Welcome back, Cher.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Much Better.

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We may have been down for the count this past week but we definitely took our newly healed energy and put it into overdrive for some quality weekend fun! Thank you all so much for your sweet messages... My friend, Rebekah, even offered to make us dinner! Is it bad that all my friends are much better friends to me than I am to them?!

I would even go as far to say that we were so well this weekend that we ready to celebrate and get a little fancy. Fancy Nancy that is.... My friend, Mollie, let me know that borders was having a Fancy Nancy reading this Saturday. So fun and a perfect activity that would hold Molly's interest. Throw in a fancy dressed trolley ride and you have now won over the interest of a Gabriel and Mommy too. And Daddy--- well, he is pretty easy going. It was a Fancy Saturday indeed...

We definitely made some Fancy changes in regard to hair. Not everything has changed in this department. Molly's hair is still wild and out of control, mine is flat and boring but the boys of this family--- well, let's just say they went a little shorter (just in time for this chilly front that snuck in our open windows). Kelly went to get his "trimmed" but took off his glasses throughout the process and once his sight returned he was about 2 inches shorter on top--- in boy world, this can be quite a bit. He pulls if off though- he could look hunky in just about any hairstyle.

Gabriel also took a visit to the salon and got a bit of a trim too. I am calling this his second official haircut (first goes to you, Hads.) He looks like such a little boy don't you think? This lady may not have done the most amazing job but she was quick, had a car for Gabey to ride in and Thomas the train on the TV. Life doesn't get much better than that for our little guy...

throw in a visit with the Bakers, dinner at Papa's house and some Saturday morning donuts and it was one rockin' weekend!

Today the kids made their letters for Santa! See... it was VERY messy but everyone knows that Santa has a special place in his heart for red glitter glue...right? At least Gabey does...




Molly is all about coming up with her own letters and prayers these days. She dictated her Santa letter to me today. It reads, "Dear Santa, I love you. Please bring me a puppy. I am loved. I hope Gabey gets Thomas. Molly May is cute. I'm so happy. Merry Christmas. Love, Molly."

Gabriel's letter is just short and sweet. What he lacked in words he definitely made up with saliva. I think that child tasted every bit of the glitter glue... hooray for non-toxic paint. He is the reason that I keep the number for poison control on my car keys.

All in all, the letters came out great!

Tomorrow we are sending them to Santa Claus, c/o Uncle Raul in Austin. Apparently, Uncle Raul has an in with one of Santa's elves and is going to make sure these letters fall directly in the big guy's hands. That Uncle Raul, always looking out for his favorite Mays...

Can't wait to see what the rest of this week brings! It sure does seem busy...

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Ward

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What started out with one has now materialized into the entire family--- well, almost the entire family. I am stand now as the sole defender of the stomach virus and continue to remain hopeful that I will prevail in this battle. What a battle it is!

It is really interesting because the virus was introduced into the family from the least expecting person- Mr. Gabey. In hindsight, I could have seen it coming. After all, he is the one that licks (yes licks) the shopping cart. When you gross out the Walmart employee (who I am sure sees all sorts of retail horrors) you know that you have well crossed the line of yucky. Gabriel has quite the palate for dirt and with a few pebbles here and there for good measure. Come to think of it he just might be the "germiest" kid I know. I totally should have seen it coming.

I am pretty confident that we are on the tail end of this plague but perhaps I am just relying that it is for sanity sake. Perfect day for cuties to be on sale at Albertson's... man, I stocked up!

So... the May antics are a bit subdued and the pictures are really scarce these days while we all regroup. More to come when we emerge healthy and ready to take on the park slides again.... only to return to the daily intake of dirt and pebbles I'm sure...

Think healthy thoughts for us!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween... Who's counting?

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Wow, I don't think that there will ever be a Halloween that is comparable to this one. This kids have celebrated and worn their costumes... get ready for it... for the past 4 days! We are not talking just a small portion of the day either... oh no, ALL DAY. And no, not one single washing... don't worry, I am a little grossed out too.

Four days of candy infused, Disney dressed, kiddie chaotic fun... life just doesn't get much better than this. To celebrate Halloween in rockin' May style we kicked it with the catholics (Molly's school party), we monster mashed the millers, trick or treated and finally chili feasted with the Wallace's as they won their neighborhood cook-off for the second year in a row (whoohoo).

Halloween might just be the new favorite around here. I can honestly say the Mays had fun!

We came ready to trick...


to treat...

to REALLY eat...

to love...
to hug...
to chase a pug...


we met our match
then had a snack

Gabe took a spin

Molly loved her friend...

Gabe growled like Bruno...

Mom was Juno...
and a Gigi made Gabe laugh...


Gabe prowled...
and growled...
got really LOUD...

while Molly needed a bath...

And we know that Halloween must now go away...

But we will always look back and treasure today...
Happy Halloween!!!!