Jacqueline...

This post is for my friend Jacqueline... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! What can I say about her? A ton, so I will try to keep it to a minimum. I am not a person with a whole lot of "friends" around me. But she is one of them.....and how blessed I am that she is. She is absolutely beautiful, both inside and out. She can finish my sentences (with my accent, too), and is always there when you need her. Day or night. Sick or well. She has brought me burn cream, inhaler tubes, cake, helped me clean my house, and has listened at me laugh and cry. She knows my deepest, darkest secrets, and doesn't judge me for them. I honestly believe that God brought her into my life knowing how much I was going to need her, and here she has stayed. She is one of those friends, that I know no matter how much time or distance seperates us, we will still always be as close as we are right now. Also, her kids are the same ages as mine! PERFECTO! My hope for this woman is that she gets everything that her heart desires. If anyone deserves it she does. She is the most selfless individual that I know. So, Jacqueline, I just want you to know how much you mean to me, especially on this day. I love you so much! Happy Birthday Beautiful!

My two youngest....

Well, for those of you who know me, I have three children. Two that are of human form that I gave birth to. One that I, well, he is a dog. His name is Oscar Reza. And well, I love him an insane amount. I am one of those weird dog people. I take my dog a lot of places. I buy him clothes. He is so rotten that he hates all other dogs. And yes, he is the obnoxious breed, a maltese. But he is the cutest thing ever. We have had a near death incident (in a tragic grooming accident), times where he has gotten lost - but we've gotten through it.

Oscar has always been more "my" dog than anyone else's. But, much to my dismay, that is slowly changing. Tonight I am on the couch watching "Suite Life of Zack and Cody"(the one where the dad/daughter duo are con artists), while Isabella is playing in the floor. Is she coloring like I thought she was? No. She is trying to braid Oscar's fur. Now here is the kicker. He is letting her. He doesn't let many other people mess with him but me. (and my dad.) Don't get me wrong... He doesn't bite. He will just run off to his corner and hide or get up on my lap. Not tonight my friends, not tonight. This is what I stumble upon....

"C" is for....

Guess who? You got it, CASSIE! And, no, sister - it isn't like it is a big surprise...I know, but nonetheless - its you! Cassie and I are four years apart and have been through a lot together. I am so lucky that I have her for a sister. She is cynical, loving, sarcastic, beautiful, vicious, and humbling all rolled up in one. I really believe a lot of people misinterpret her. I know I have. But once you know her, if you are privileged and lucky enough to do so, you will realize that you were the one who got lucky. So, my dear sister, this one is for you. I love you. I really do.

"B" is for...

Baseball! Tariq, our sweet little boy (with smirk on face), is not, what you might say, athletically inclined(or interested). Being from the south, I did not know what to do with this. This is what little boys do, play sports. But not my boy - he is dismantling computers and reading C++ manuals at the age of 8. Hmmm. But, my friends, there is an addition to my son's interests! Much to my exuberance, he begged to be signed up for little league! Yeah! We are all excited! Just to see him interested in something else. Now, I just hope he has a great time. I am so excited!

"A" is for....

Okay Cassie, I give. A is for Ali. My husband.

Aerogarden Love....

If you like to cook with fresh herbs and spices... Get an aerogarden. I love this thing. I think it is one of my favorite purchases ever. Just wanted to share some of my herb pics... Man, I seem like a big foodie with these last 2 posts, huh?

Funky Fruits of Fredericksburg....

Okay, so Isabella hates all food. No, that's not true, she likes peanut butter and apples. (candy, too.) So, what do you feed a child like that? I refuse to be that mom who fixes seperate food for my kids. I have enough to do, but thanks for offering. ;-)
Anyway, here is my new thing... each week, we are going to pick an "exotic" fruit to try each week. Whoever tries this new "scary" fruit first, gets to pick the fruit next week. Sounds fun, right? Join me. Let me know what you think, and what fruits you are trying. Then post a comment and let me know what you think about that fruit. Good or bad, don't hold back. Here was our first fruit. It is a red banana. The sticker said that they are "organic" and they were from "Columbia". They taste like raspberry bananas. They are awesome! Kinda weird at first...But yummy! Here are a few pics. The top one is beside a normal banana so you can see the difference in size.