Am I crazy or considerate....both.

So Barry and I have been trying to work out and we had a membership to LA Fitness for a while, but it got in the way of family time with Barry and he doesn't really like working out in front of people anyway. Who does for that matter? So he asked me, "Why don't we get a home gym?" I ask "Where will we put it?" Then we proceed to think for a long time. I like the way my house is set up right now, everything has it's place. So we put it off due to not wanting to make the decision. Well, a month later, Barry asks me about it again but this time I've seen how hard it is for him leaving us at night, when he only has about 2 hours a day with the kids anyways. I always wanted work out with him, so we went for it. I gave up my beautiful dining room table for, hopefully, rock hard abbs eventually. (Don't hold me to that!)
Anyway here's the before: (This is Barry's single friend, Dobie, who's keeping the table for us. Anyone interested?)

And after:

I am having a hard time trying to figure out how to girly up this room just a bit. How do you decorate a workout room? Any suggestions?

I know some of you are thinking Barry's got me whipped (which I would be fine with), but I'm not, I'm just a good at compromises. Besides this will be a good one to hold to him for when I really want something! hehe I will say that I love how Barry still thanks me everyday for doing this for him.

I love my Cousins!

Most of my cousins come to Conroe to visit their parents for the holidays and when they do, I make sure I go see them while their here. We missed Beth, Rebekah and Robert, but it was still great to see everyone! From the left: Matt & Laura Webb, Andy & Mary Sullivan, Bryan & Angela Hunger, and Barry & Bonnie Mills! (sorry Matt, your eyes were closed in every picture)

Two of the babies, Nicole Hunger and Samantha. Too bad Luke was sleeping.

My cousins Mary and Angela and I all had kids around the same time which was a lot of fun! Even more so now that the kids are old enough to play together.
A kiss for Allison from Jordan!

And a kiss for Jentrey!

Sweet second cousins!
Jentrey, Jordan and Allison.

Thanksgiving

We enjoyed Thanksgiving with our friends Ruth and Cameron Stephen. I never knew Cameron could cook so well! He makes a mean turkey! They let us come and crash their house so it was considerably a pain free holiday, thanks Ruth! We'll see how Christmas goes.

Ruth and Cameron Stephen

Their boys, Andrew and David with Jordan. They had a blast playing together!

Samantha just chilled with the adults mostly. She found David's sunglasses and decided to make a fashion statement.

Buzz Lightyear in Timeout

I heard Jordan talking to Buzz Lightyear earlier today and this is what I found.....




Can you tell that Jordan has been to timeout a time or two?? I promise I do not slam my kid against the wall, he must have learned that from his daddy! At least he says "Sorry Buzz" after he bangs him on the wall.

My Little Mess Maker

Samantha has officially begun her mess making phase. Everywhere I turn she has opened, dumped, and trampled every corner of this house! The pictures display only a couple of her favorite places to dissemble. I used to think having a shoe basket by the door was a good idea, but now I'm rethinking it, any suggestions?




Jordan was moving around too much for a picture at first, so I told him to sit still and this is what he did. A little more animation would be nice but who would want to change that reverent position. He tries so hard to make me happy ... most of the time. Love those cute faces.

Snake in the back yard!

So Barry is in the back yard weed whacking and I suddenly hear him yell, "Whoa!" and the the motor turn off abruptly. I went outside to find that he had decapitated a snake! Yuck! At least it's just a little grass snake, but it's a first for us.

Samantha's First Birthday!

We celebrated Samantha's first birthday this past weekend! Barry's mom, Karen Mills is an artist when it comes to cakes and she made this adorable number one cake for Sam!
Samantha got her first doll and she was very excited about it! It's actually the first girl toy we've gotten!

Needless to say, she loved the cake!

"WOW"!

She was not happy about getting cleaned up though, I think she just wanted more cake.

I love my big baby girl! She brings a smile to all our faces and she just adores her daddy and Jordan. She can sort of say all our names now, which is nice. She was only saying "dada" for too long. I love that she calls me "mom-mom" when she wants me! Thank you to everyone who has been so loving and supportive through this crazy first year of Samantha's life! We are so very grateful for all the friends and family who have been there for us. we are truly blessed!

Barry as Chester

What have we done?!?!  Tonight we dyed Barry's mustache black and yikes!!!   We shaved his head but he thinks the hat makes a more dramatic look.  The dye looked light brown when we applied it and then it took about 5 minutes to darken.  We both busted up laughing when we saw this develop!  Barry can't believe how awful he looks and I can't even kiss him like that!  Needless to say I don't see this lasting a full month.  I definitely think he's earned the "Chester" Award with this though, don't you?  
Go ahead and give Barry the mocking he deserves for this crazy bet.... he can take it.

The Stache-off (Barry's Office Bet)

Of all the ridiculous bets Barry has been in, this one beats them all by far! As if eating 78 chicken nuggets in 30 minutes wasn't a good enough feat, he has to take this one even further.
The Stache-Off
Rules of the bet: Each man in the office must grow and maintain a mustache for one full month. (There are 16 guys and only 2 women in his office, clearly this is testosterone zone)
There will be three awards given at the end of the month.

1. The Magnum P.I. Award (whoever looks the best with the stache)
2. The Chester Award (whoever looks the creepiest with the stache)
3. The Energizer Bunny Award (whoever can keep the stache the longest)

Barry who likes to be 'different' has decided to start out the contest with this style. The UFC wanna be or the technical term is called "The Lemmy."

Nice Barry.

Mean Barry.

Back shot.

Side view.

To make matters more "fun", we will be shaving his entire head, then trim his "Lemmy" to a simple mustache and dye it black!!! I think he will definitely win the Chester Award with that, don't you?
I'm not quite sure why I'm okay with this, except for the fact that I thoroughly enjoy laughing at Barry too. Luckily I will be laughing with him, and at him a little.

Feel free to give me your thoughts and any advice you may have for Barry...he will see it himself as he is a regular reader of the blog.

Some of my readers may know some of the other competitors which include: Mr. Mike Keyser, Mr. Todd Kimball, Mr. Jason Beckstead, and Mr. Jason Buchanan (sadly some of these men have admitted that they will not last the full month). Maybe we can get the wives to get pictures of their hubbies in 'stache mode.

Life is too short to not make a few laughs.

Pictures

Jordan loves climbing up on Barry's back and jumping over him. I don't think Barry likes it as much as Jordan does though. What a good sport. In fact Barry will do anything to make sure Jordan is athletic and sporty, which won't be a difficult thing to become in this family.How tall can you get? Jordan showing off how brave he is, he actually wanted to stand on his shoulders, but that was not going to happen.

I love my man!

This is me with my parents, Mike and Noreen Watson. We're so lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa live so close!

Family for Dinner

We had my sister, Merry and her family over for dinner this Sunday. She just moved from Lehi,Utah to Austin, TX and will be finishing up school there. Merry is actually older than me though you probably can't tell from this picture. She's on her toes and I'm bending down a little! I'm the youngest , but the tallest. Merry, Mom, and Bon.

The Hogue Family
Merry, Mike, Zo, & Draven

I was trying to take a picture of my parents with the grandkids together, but the only one cooperating were my Dad and baby girl, go figure. Can you tell they're related?

Yeah, everyone finally sat somewhat still for this one!

Fun family times! I hope we get to see them more often now that they live closer.

Jordan ready for Mother's Day Out...

A kiss for sis...

Cheese...

Daddy and the kids.

Jordan attends a Mother's Day Out program at a nearby Baptist church.  Today is donuts with Dad, so Barry took him this morning.  When Barry came back he showed me the gifts the kids made for their dads, a rag that says 'I love my Daddy' and his hand prints on it as well as a paper decorated tie. (I would have put a picture of them on this post, but for some reason it's taking forever to upload the picture so I must go without.)  I don't think Barry will be wearing that tie though.  Barry said that they gave everyone one donut and a juice then the pastor came out and preached for a few minutes.  When the pastor came out, Jordan started raising his hands up in the air like he was grabbing and pulling down the "spirit" as the pastor was.  It was pretty funny.

Grateful

I have to admit, I was in a bad mood tonight.  So I came in the office to look at all my favorite blogs and I'm feeling much better now.  Thanks to you ladies out there for cheering me up with your lives of love and crazy kids.  Everyone on my 'blogs I follow' list are who I have to thank.  Love you !

Cute Kids

I have some cute kids!  Of course I'm biased.

Tissue paper...yum!

I walk away for a second to answer the phone and this is what I came back to find.  Jordan was no help in this little fiasco.  At least he know how to show Sam a good time. 

And So I begin...

I have had too many people ask me if I had a blog now to not have one.  So here goes....

Since Hurrican Ike passed through our home town of Cypress, TX  things have been a little hectic.  The grocery stores are just now carrying milk, eggs, and bread regularly now.  And we don't have to wait in line for gas anymore (at least in this part of the city).  I'm grateful to say that we had no damage on our house and were only without power for 6 hours.  Lucky us.  I hope everyone else has been able to get through this without too much trouble.