Wanderlust

I am suffering from a seriously strong urge to travel. Not sure if its the hot weather keeping us indoors for most of the day, that I'm feeling incredible now that I'm not pregnant, or that I have not left the Austin area in over eight months (that I can think of...) but I have the urge to get the heck out of town! (Oh and everyone I know keeps going on vacation!) I've taken to perusing websites for cruises, vacation rentals, America's best beaches, and Expedia.com (great deals on last minute trips!!). But so far the furthest I've been able to go has been downtown to the Children's Museum.

Jason says I am this way after I have a baby. I wouldn't be surprised. Even at best, I feel only half way decent while pregnant. It doesn't hit me how difficult it has been until after I give birth and suddenly feel terrific!! I just want to go, go, go right now! Cram Penny in a sling and hit the trails or the beach!

Anyway, here are some pictures from our "trip" downtown. It was fun--the staff from a local vet clinic were there with some creepy crawlies (tarantulas, bearded dragon, turtle, and a python) so that made our visit even more fun! The girls had a blast even though the place was PACKED OUT!!




Future veterinarian?



Experimenting with pulleys, parachutes, and cows.


Penny slept the entire time!


Paige sawing cardboard.


Hailey "milking" a cow.

Shame...

on this BAD DOG!! Isn't this the face of someone ashamed of their actions? Ha! Don't believe it for a minute! She may look like she regrets the latest mess she caused but she would jump at the chance to do it again anytime, any place!

Trash-eating/counter-surfing/litter box digging dog that she is, I love her to pieces. And she's getting older by the day--well we all are of course but Summer is well into her golden years. We think she's about twelve (I got her from the animal shelter where her previous owners had listed her as four years old). She's in pretty good health for an old gal. Doesn't jump our eight foot privacy fence anymore and no longer drags you while on a walk (the girls can even walk her now), but she's still capable of reaching any food you leave on the counter or table (in the blink of an eye your sandwich is gone and a certain yellow dog is no where to be seen...).

This week we are going to be "babysitting" my sister's yellow lab, Punch. I say "babysitting" b/c this dog is my sister's baby. He is the youngest of her brood that includes 4 teenage/young adult children. He is about the same age as Summer but for whatever reason he is far more decrepit than she is. I don't know why it happens that way--why two people or animals of the same age can differ so drastically in their health. Punch has lived a considerably easier life than Summer. For one thing he's been an only dog for years--Summer walked among four yappy little dachshunds for years (and is still daily nipped by the sole surviving dachshund). Punch also has been an indoor dog for years while we kicked Summer outdoors for most of her days when we started getting overwhelmed by babies combined with an opportunistic Lab with a taste for kitty krunchies.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to having Punch here. He's a great dog (and not unlike a hairy loveseat--he seldom moves these days). He has, and always has had to my knowledge, the energy level of Eyeore the donkey and that helps make him a wonderful pet. I don't know if he's ever done anything really bad--though he does prefer my sister's uptight neighbor's lawn to do his business but he's probably just being considerate and thinks he is saving one of his family members the trouble of getting out the scooper. I hope he has a good time here despite the frequently rowdy atmosphere of our house. One thing he won't have to worry about is Summer stealing his food--she learned long ago that the only sure way to get Punch to drag himself to his feet and turn into an 130lb grizzly bear is to threaten his food supply. :)

The Simple Woman's Notebook

The view from where I sit ... a box of toys at my feet, double stroller parked, ceiling fan in a box waiting to be installed.

Outside My Window...pitch black but still 95 degrees at midnight.

I am thinking...of school plans, what we are going to do tomorrow, what's for dinner tomorrow, saw "My Sister's Keeper" tonight and reflecting on it

I am thankful for...my four healthy children and husband (also healthy), God's provision and faithfulness

We are learning...to watch our tongue, be kind to each other.

From the kitchen... need to go grocery shopping--this time just with the baby. Its a little overwhelming to take everyone on major shopping right now. Need to get a list going.

I am wearing... jeans (maternity b/c I love them so much!), brown shirt

I am creating... dust? I don't know what I am creating right now.

I am going... to regret staying up this late.

I am reading... A Walk to Remember (again), different blogs by homeschoolers.

I am hoping... that tomorrow my girls will be kind to each other. Way too much fighting and bickering going on. It hasn't been very peaceful in our house this week. Not sure why--bored kids from being cooped up for so long? The heat?

I am hearing... the a/c which runs continuously.

Around the house... we are going to be cleaning up for the lady who cleans on Friday.

One of my favorite things... the beach is heavy on my mind. Wish that we lived close to one.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: hang letters in Paige's room, order some school stuff, mail a few things, wash the dog.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...