All About the Argyles

McKinley is our animal LOVER. Currently she is the steward of 3 hermit crabs, 2 frogs, and 1 very large dog. Add to the mix: 4 bunnies that she is taking care of for a Future Farmers of America project. On Jan 9th she picks the three best bunnies to take to the Collin County Fair to be judged. She is doing such a great job! Every day she feeds them, waters them, exercises them, brushes them, and "handles" them so that they will be socialized for the judges when they are evaluated. It makes it especially nice that so many of her friends from school and church like to come over and help with the care of the bunnies. BTW, anyone interested in adopting a bunny after Jan. 9th, call me. We have homes for two of them already. :O)

How cool was it that New Moon came out around the same time that Jensen was celebrating a birthday? We HAD to have a NEW MOON celebration! We ate snacks ("bloody cupcakes" and type A, O, and B flavored drinks), did crafts (t shirts and necklaces), and played the twilight board game. After that it was off to Studio Movie Grill for the show and some dinner. Good times! :O)

I love talented women. I love to see other women who excel in hobbies and skills. I am rarely jealous (because those of you who know me are aware that I don't have a competitive bone in my body). I love to see friends knitting works of art, decorating beautiful homes, writing eloquent poetry. I love to hear women who can sit down and play ANYTHING on the piano or sing a perfectly-pitched song. I have none of those talents. I just appreciate seeing it in others. This is one of the most talented people I know of. I say "know of" because I don't know her personally. I have just followed her blog for a few years now. She is an amazing photographer and writes the most hillarious posts. She is also a a FABULOUS cook. I have tried several of her recipes and they have all been divine! (Not so healthy or low in fat, mind you, but really yummy.) She finally got talked into doing a cookbook. It is out now. Here it is. She is also coming to Big D for a book tour on Dec. 1st at 7p...

I was truly traumatized at the end of last year when I saw a picture of McKinley's class at the sock hop. She was the ONE AND ONLY GIRL NOT decked out in sock hop attire! I knew they were having a sock hop, they had advertised it heavily. But I thought it was one of those things like "pajama day" or "wear your favorite team jersey day" that was completely optional - take it or leave it. Little did I know that at our elementary school - sock hop is HUGE. Everyone goes all out for it! I felt so bad! (She actually told me that they year before she wasn't even allowed to be in the picture because she wasn't dressed in 50's attire!) Needless to say, I vowed to not let my little girls go another year UNsock-hop like. :O) Knowing that it came amidst a very busy time for me (planning Stake 11 year old campout, Stake Daddy Daughter Dance, hosting book club) I atleast had the forethought to enlist the help of a seamstress friend. We met her on a saturday and s...

Saturday we went to Cooper's Fall Festival. It was a hoot. Reagan and McKinley won most original costume. They went as Miss USA and Miss America. the judge was Tracy from the Biggest Loser. (Tracy works out at my gym) I don't know if you watch that show but she is the one that is on the purple team and everyone hates her because she keeps winning all the challenges. Anyway, here are the two winners and the big loser. She HAS lost alot, BTW. She looks great! Here is a picture of Brady as a cowboy (on his horse) too. He didn't win the costume contest in his age group but I have to admit that the competition was pretty rough! The following day he won the contest at my grandparent's assissted living center. They had a TON of kids in costumes and I thought for sure there was not way he would beat out some of the other kids but he went up to the judge and "shot" her with his "guns" so I think he won by intimidation. :O)

Choose This Day Shared via AddThis

I had an "aha" moment this past week. I was frustrated with Jensen about something that , now, seems REALLY trivial. I heard this song by Cherie Call and I instantly thought of her. She completely embodies the sentiment in this song. Jensen doesn't care about makeup, trendy hairstyles, or "it" clothes. She is the "peacemaker" in our home and is constantly looking for ways to help me around the house. She NEVER complains. I am grateful to Heavenly Father who I believe answered my prayer one day this week by reminding me what a beautiful young lady she is and what truly makes us beautiful. Look at all the signs, Look at all the shows All the glamorous people who claim to know What perfection is and what makes beauty stay But when all the styles go out and the labels fade away It's what you give that makes you beautiful It's how you live that makes your dreams come true Keep your faith in this world, And let the light of the Lord shine thr...