Pierced Ears and Piercing Screams!

Molly has been asking to get her ears pierced for months. We told her that she could get them pierced for her fifth birthday. In the meantime, she got some earring tattoos and would tell us, "Look! I'm five yeaws old! I weally am! See, I have weal eawwings!" It was very cute. So, I set up a girl's day with my mom for her birthday to go get her ears pierced and do a little shopping. But, then, I started thinking. Scenario 1: She has no problem getting her ears pierced and we have a fantastic estrogen-filled day. Scenario 2: She freaks out after the first one. I have to hold her down for the second one. She's massively traumatized and won't stop crying long enough to pick out a new hairband or a pretty bracelet and we all go home sobbing. My bet was on Scenario 2, so I decided to take her to get them done early so she can enjoy her girl's day out pain free. Why I decided that doing it early would involve me taking her by myself to the mall with both Will and Jack in tow is beyond me. Apparently, I can only make one intelligent decision at a time! While Scenario 2 was not completely accurate, I was dead on thinking she would freak out after the first earring went through. Poor child. After one hour, loads of talk involving the sentence, "I CANNOT take you home to Daddy with only one ear pierced," a failed attempt at the hold down (how I could keep her still for multiple IVs five months ago and yet not for an ear piercing is beyond me), and $50 worth of bribery jewelry, she settled down enough to complete her set. She was crying a bit in my arms and muttering something over and over. After a few minutes, I realized she was saying, "Biggg Bruddder! Biggg Bruddder!" I called Will over, who had been hiding in the corner, sheltering himself from the cries and playing with the lone monster truck on sale at Claire's. When he got there and held her hand, she climbed out of my lap and into his arms. Suddenly, all was well. And, then I heard the sounds of my third born who had been completely ignored in his stroller for the last sixty minutes. A short walk, and three sugar cookies later, we were showing everyone who would look (and getting very upset at those who wouldn't) our sparkly new earrings!

We'll be taking Easter pics soon, so pics of her earlobes are sure to follow.

My Fellow Americans...

Well, I figure I need to bone up on my political rhetoric and firm handshakes because... Dave and I are delegates for our precinct to the State Senatorial Republican Convention being held at the end of March. Delegates will be elected then to go to the state convention and then from there to the national convention. As first timers, I'm sure we won't get that far, but I'm beyond excited to go be a part of the process and use my voice (I can hear myself now... "Aye, Nay, Aye, Nay"). So, Friends, Houstonians, Countrymen, if you have an issue you believe should be brought before the Convention, we are at your service!

Wait... Who's that pulling up to the White House?
That truck looks so familiar.

New Friends, Good Times, and an Anniversary Celebration

Dave and I were finally able to celebrate our anniversary a few months late. We went to Austin for the weekend and had a wonderful time. We went to our favorite restaurants (Kerby Lane and Vinny's), spent four hours touring the new Texas History Museum, climbed up Mt. Bonnel to see the sunset, and wandered around campus. There were many changes. The road I used to take off of MLK to get to my dorm is no longer a road, but a building. You almost can't park on campus on the weekends anymore because you need permits for almost all of the spots 7 days a week now. And, sadly, our Chili's is no longer a Chili's. I almost cried. Now, I know that we've all moved on to better and brighter things, but as long as our Chili's was still there, I always felt that I could walk right in and all of our old friends would be there, Dave could go behind the bar and ask me, "Do you have your ticket?" and I could get a chicken caesar salad for half price. Apparently, instead of getting your fill of food there, you can get your fill of Scripture - since it's a CHURCH! Here are a few pics of our trip...

Ron Paul was having a rally on campus and brought along the Ten Commandments.

The beautiful scenery (oh, and the view of the river too.)

Our goofy self portrait.

On Valentine's Weekend, our friends from Bible study held a dinner in their home. It was very sweet, fun, and the food was delicious, especially my chocolate cheesecake!

My silly boys playing at home.

Will gets a hug for being such a great big brother!

I frequent an online group called Babycenter. Last week, I met one of the moms and her little boy at the mall for the first time. We had a great time. Here's Jack and Tristen playing. Oh, and they are both sick now. Gotta love those Play Place germs!