Happy Father's Day!

I am so lucky to have great father's in my life. My own dad, who would do anything for us girls, and LOVES being a Papa! My father-in-law, who always helps us with whatever we need and is such a fun Grandpa. My husband, who is sweet with the kids, helps me out when I need it, and is the best dad I can imagine. Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there! You do an important job!

My Dad with Owen:

Rodney (my FIL) with the boys:

Kevin, on the day he became a Daddy (with newborn Megan):With newborn Hannah:With newborn Owen:

Wordless Wednesday

Nine years ago today...

At least I come by it honest!

I'm a hoarder. I know this about myself. I have a hard time throwing things away that might be useful (or sentimental). This has caused there to be a huge box of stuff from high school still under the bed at my mom and dad's house. To be fair, I come by it honest. My mom is the same way. I'll never forget when my mom and my (now) sister-in-law, Jennifer, were both helping us pack up for a move. My mom wanted to transport things like a quarter of a bottle of ketchup from College Station to Dallas. Jennifer was urging her to throw it away and splurge on a fresh bottle in our new house!

Then, I looked in the back of the drawer in my refrigerator. What do you see?

Can't quite tell what's lurking behind the pie crust and won ton wrappers? Beside the crescent rolls and biscuits? How about a closer look?
That's right. Leftover ketchup packets from Whataburger (what is it with the ketchup? Are the Schneider women afraid that there'll be a tomato shortage soon?) and sauce from Chick-Fil-A! Most sane people would throw the unused packets away when they are done with their fast food meal. Not me! I'm turning into my mother more and more each day!

Watch out for me. It's only a small step from this, to filling my purse with sweet-n-low packets from restaurants!

Swimsuit Shopping

I haven't bought a new swim suit in several years. The last time I did, it was a maternity suit, so you can imagine how outdated my non-maternity suit is (although, truthfully, the maternity suit might still fit). My sister, Karen, lives right by the Guadalupe River, and the kids and I are going to visit on our long weekend (poor Kevin has to work)! It's our nephew, Tyler's, 15th birthday on Sunday, so our whole family is going to celebrate. I keep pondering things like "At what age is it acceptable to start wearing a mumu?"

Since Meg's at school, I loaded up the little ones and we went to Academy to buy swim supplies (life vests, new floaties for the pool, stuff like that). I browsed through the suits, and found one that I liked. That's a big part of the battle right there. Do you want to know what else I did? I bought one off the rack, WITHOUT EVEN TRYING IT ON! It was on sale, it was my size, so I bit the bullet and bought it. And do you know what? It actually fits pretty well! I'm not going to turn any heads, but right now, that's not a bad thing! I was feeling pretty good until I realized that Brandon (my 17-year-old nephew) was going to be bringing his 17-year-old girlfriend with him. Took the wind out of my sails. Sigh. I guess I'll just try not to stand by her for the whole day.

A Budding Comedian

Check out this video. Out of the blue, Owen has started telling knock-knock jokes! So darn cute! Turn up the volume and be prepared to "awww" at one of the lamest jokes ever!

Wordless Wednesday

My Mom

I really have the best Mom (and Dad, but this day is all about her!) in the world! Growing up, I knew that I was lucky, but after becoming a mom myself, I appreciate her more and more! She was the kind of mom who always made homemade cookies and cupcakes for no special reason (and still is). If I have a question about a fever, I call my mom. If I have a question about cooking a chicken, I call my mom. If something good happens, I call my mom. If I've had a day from hell (sick kids, or whatever), I call my mom. She's the best Mimi to my kids (and my nephews). She had 3 kids, lived out in the boonies and I never remember hearing her complain. I complain daily about something or other, and can't see how she did it! She never talked about "me" time and girls' weekends (like, ahem, I do). She didn't have a regular babysitter so that she and dad could go out without us. Her job was us. And I thank God for her every day. If my kids can feel halfway as lucky to have me for a mom as I am for her, then I'll be very lucky, indeed!

I love you, Mom! Wish I was there today!