My First Award

A good friend of mine challenged me with this assignment. I can always count on her to give me a good challenge. Everyone needs a friend like this!





5 things I am passionate about...

1. Spiritual Growth


I tend to be somewhat of a perfectionist. I also want to be the perfect Christian, have the perfect prayer life and be the perfect example but I know that's not possible. So, instead of giving up and saying "I quit" because I'm not praying like I should be or because I messed up here or there I am passionate about being the best Christian I can be and learning daily.

2. Family


God has blessed me with a husband who has made me a better person. He is laid back, kind, hard working and an amazing father. He will go out of his way to help a friend or stranger. I am also blessed to have two wonderful children. Cooper is an active, kind hearted and loveable three year old. Cate is a determined, compassionate and funny 19 month old. Though they are different in many ways, the love they have for each other is so sweet. I am also blessed to have my mom, dad, sister, future brother in law, grandma, grandpa, mamaw, mother in law, father in law, brothers & sisters in laws, cousins and many aunts and uncles who are an active part of my life. My family is pretty tight knit and there is anything we wouldn't do for one another.

3. Food


This could be a bad thing if I was passionate about french fries, burgers and nachos but I am passionate about learning as much as I can about food. For example, the kind of food that goes into my body. More importantly, the food that I serve to my husband and kids. Don't get me wrong, I love me some junk food but there is a time and place for that. I am always looking for new recipes that challenge me. I used to be scared to try anything new or slightly difficult because I was afraid of failure but that has changed. I love cooking from scratch and providing more variety for my family. I am very close minded when it comes to food and I don't want to pass this on to my kids. I want them to know how to eat and to enjoy eating the foods that are good for them.

4. Learning

I love saying "Hmm. I learned something new today!". Whether it be something trivial or something big. I recently took a cake decorating class and for anyone that doesn't know, I used to be known for being somewhat of a goof in the kitchen. I once put a basket casserole holder in the oven not aware of the fact that it could catch on fire. I also put foil in the microwave. The list goes on but I'll save what respect I have left and stop. That class was so much fun and I really learned some cool things! I have started messing around with my sewing machine and even made a simple dress for Cate but I want to get better. I also want to learn how to play the piano again. I don't enjoy reading books but give me lessons, a magazine or computer and I will soak up as much as my lil' brain will allow.

5. Cleaning


Yuck, right? Well, not for me. I caught myself last Saturday in my sweater, skinny jeans, boots and of course accessories on the kitchen floor scrubbing my cabinets because the way the sunlight was shining hit the cabinets just right so that I noticed my cabinets needed a good scrubbing! Yes, at times I get very frustrated with myself because I cannot let the dust just sit so I can enjoy some time to myself or I choose to sweep really fast instead of reading a book to my kids. I am getting better about letting some of the cleaning just sit so I can enjoy the precious time with my husband and kids but it's still a struggle at times. Wierdly enough, I find cleaning therapeutic and I love the smell of a clean house.



Now, for the business of awarding:


1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Write 5 things you are passionate about apart from blogging, because we all know this thing can consume you.

3. Pass it on to 5 other people.

I want to pass this on to:

Lane, Amber, Valerie, Mandy, Christi

Have fun!

75th Anniversary

A couple of weeks ago we traveled to east Texas to attend Daniel's great grandparents 75th anniversary party. 75 years of marriage! These two people are such an inspiration and not to mention so cute. I have a soft spot for old people. I think they are too cute and so full of wisdom. How blessed my kids are to have so many grandparents, great grandparents & great great grandparents in their lives! How blessed we are that we could witness such love and commitment from this couple! They live in a small town but the building was packed. It was apparent how much these two people have influenced so many lives. I think I should mention that these two lovebirds still live together in their home of many many years. They have some help come in and out but they get along pretty good considering their age. The picture below is a five generation picture. So cool!!

Horses, Sheep & Poo

Friday my sweet hubby took the day off so we could enjoy a few hours at the Stock Show. We all enjoy animals but our sweet Cate is by far the animal lover in our family. She likes to have her stuffed horse (which she calls "Baaa", like a sheep, for some odd reason) with her pretty much wherever she goes. So, needless to say when she woke up that morning, we asked her if she wanted to go see some horses, cows, sheep, ducks, etc and with every animal mentioned she got more and more excited. We started off with the cows and she was moo-ing like crazy! Then it was the llamas. She didn't really know what to think about that. Cooper liked them. On the way to the petting zoo we had to travel through several barns full of animals. I looked down to see what Cooper thought and it was pretty obvious. He had a disgusted look on his face with his fingers pinching his nose. He looked up at me and said, "It STINKS in here!". Several people got a kick out of his reaction. We stayed at the petting zoo for almost an hour. Cooper was fascinated with a small black chicken with CRAZY white hair. This was the funniest little chicken I had ever seen. Cate loved all the animals. She couldn't believe she was so close to so many animals. We bought some feed but the goats overpowered Cate so she got to help Daniel feed the goats. Cooper tried to save his food for his chicken. After the petting zoo we rode the ponies. We knew we had to let them ride after Cate kept asking to ride the goats. On the way out we stopped to see the the childrens barnyard. Cooper loved watching the eggs hatch and the little chicks. He did not want to leave. Cate enjoyed the ducklings & the huge pig with her piglets. That pig was enormous! Several animals later & one boot in the poo, we were out of there. It was a pretty good day!

I got this picture right before Daniel had to pick her up.

I told Cooper to turn around and smile but I didn't notice the donkey coming up to take a bite of his shirt. Cooper thought it was pretty silly that a donkey wanted to eat his shirt.

Cooper thought he was pretty cool riding a pony all by himself.

The Harmonica, The Brush & The Flight

As most of you already know, our family took a trip to San Francisco, California at the end of October. Daniel had a conference out there and was done by most days around 11am. So, we thought we would take advantage of that time and spend a few extra days after the meeting was over. It was a great vacation but it seems like a blur! We left our house at 5am on a Friday morning (that meant up getting up at 3am after going to bed at 1am). Surprisingly, we arrived at the airport in time and had no problems checking in or going through the security so we found our gate and grabbed a little breakfast. They started boarding the plane as soon as we got back from getting food so those who were able to eat did and those who were too nervous to eat (me) gathered our things so we could board. We found our seats and settled in and watched the kids totally enjoy the view from the airplane. I will never forget Cooper's face as we walked onto the plane and as we took off. It brings the biggest smile to my face watching my kids experience something for the first time that they truly love. When the plane started and we started moving, Cooper with much excitement in his voice goes "I'm flying! I'm flying!". We had to explain that we weren't really flying yet but we were about to. He was glued to the window and would only turn around to look at us to give us a huge smile like "This is the best day ever!!". Once up in the air, my nerves calmed a little probably because I was so nervous about how Cate would do. She did fine on the way up there but did get a little antsy and HAD to have her diaper changed during the flight. Not an easy thing to do with a tall toddler in a tiny bathroom with a messy diaper! As we approached San Francisco, Cooper loved finding the swimming pools from the plane. We finally landed and boy were we glad!! My kids don't like to miss out on what's going on around them so no naps had been taken at this point and with the time difference, nap time was well overdue. We left for our hotel and upon arrival I thought, "Oh my...does this place really allow kids?" It was a beautiful hotel but I would've been more comfortable in a Holiday Inn. Much too froufrou for us! We relaxed for a little and then it was time to eat. We walked and walked and walked to a nice waterfront restaurant. The food was delicious and after dinner the kids and I enjoyed watching the seagulls come right up to enjoy any food they found near the restaurant. Cate is now fascinated with birds! We walked back to our hotel and we were all asleep by 6:30pm! Over the next few days we enjoyed a tour of Alcatraz, where Cooper received his very own harmonica. A trip to Napa Valley, which was much needed! My parents were supposed to leave San Francisco at that point and do the Napa Valley thing alone but we asked if we could tag along. They being the nicest parents ever obliged. All of us desperately needed a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Cate started clapping when she got into the car seat of the rental car. We ate at some very good restaurants and did some shopping! We did so much more but to keep whatever readers are still left, I'll explain my title of the blog...

The Harmonica:

One evening as we were waiting for public transportation, Cooper (it was Daniel's idea) thought he would take this time to "perform" for the public like he had seen from walking the streets. I'll try to paint a visual...Cooper is sitting on some steps with Daniel nearby and as people approached he would confidently play his harmonica that he just got. He would stop every once in a while and give his boyish charming grin and continue playing. He made $3.75 in fourteen minutes! Not bad for his first gig!! Several people stopped, took pictures and of course threw some change in a cup that Daniel found laying around (gross I know). Cooper really enjoyed his fourteen minutes of fame!

The Brush:

The mind of a 3 year old fascinates me. Again, as were waiting for public transportation (I promise we did more than just wait) Cooper was asking what our names were. I was Michelle, Dadda was Daniel, sister was Cate, etc. I asked him what his name was and without missing a beat he said Brush. Of course we all laughed and I asked again and he said "Yep. Brush Barkley." He pretty much went by Brush the rest of the time. I guess that was his stage name. :)

The Flight:

After several days of San Francisco and a totally different sleeping routine and a much different eating routine we left the hustle and bustle and headed to the airport. The kids were exhausted and ready for a part of their "normal" life back. Cooper did great again on the plane but Cate was a totally different story. Storms were pretty heavy the day we were scheduled to fly home in DFW so our scheduled departure was 5pm arriving DFW at 10pm. I knew that was going to be bad so luckily we arrived at the airport early enough and were able to fly standby on a 1pm flight. Cate had had enough at this point. The plane was full and thankfully we were the very last row on the plane. For the first 20 minutes of the flight, she screamed bloody murder. It was the worst 20 minutes of my life and everyone else's. I was trying to rock her to sleep in the back but the fasten seat belt sign came on and so I had to sit with a screaming mad child. The only thing I had that I didn't try was a package of peanut M&Ms. I know, choking hazard, but that was all I had and if I didn't try that I feared what the other passengers would do to us. After 3, she was out. In fact, I don't think she even ate them because while she was asleep, we were cleaning out her mouth as chocolate drool ran down her chin. We were so cautious not to move or breathe. She slept for about an hour and woke up as our normal baby girl. As soon as we landed Cooper asked if we could go again. Our answer was "No. Not for a really long time!" :)

We love vacations and all the memories that are made. I'm so thankful that my whole family got to experience part of this with us. I need to mention that after that horrific flight home and not being able to find our car for about 45 minutes, my mother had a nice, warm & healthy dinner waiting for us at our house. Also, she stocked our fridge with milk and fruit so we didn't have to worry about the necessities the next morning! HOME SWEET HOME!!!

About to fly for the first time!! He is taking everything in!

Our little street performer and a proud dad.

Cooper a.k.a. Brush



The sea lions on Pier 39. STINKY but still pretty cool.

A view of San Francisco from the top of Coit tower. That was quite a hike up to the tower. After we got down, we realized we could've taken a bus.

We ate at some really great restaurants. Cate loved every minute of that!

At one of the parks, Cooper decided on his own to lay down for a quick 'nap' in the sun.

We took so many pictures, Cooper was certain if he made enough silly faces we would stop but he was wrong!

Sleeping Babies

Awww, I just love pictures of sleeping babies so I thought I would share a couple of my sleeping babies. Most days, Cooper still needs a nap and Cate loves her sleep too so that means a little mommy time to get things done around the house and maybe even eat a meal! Cooper still uses his blanket and thumb. Cate never took a pacifier or thumb but LOVES her blanket. She holds it up over her face so the only thing you can see are her eyes. It sounds like she's smelling the blanket too. I asked her if she likes the smell of the blanket and she nodded yes like she totally knew what I was asking her. It wouldn't surprise me. She loves when the blankets first come out of the dryer. My silly kids and their blankets!!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!

The title may seem a little odd considering it's the first week of October and fall officially started in September but I started writing this back in September, just never finished. So...here is what the Barkley bunch has been up to since my last blog.

Alcon had their company picnic at Six Flags this year and the kids loved it! It rained all day but it didn't bother them one bit. These two kids have no fear when it comes to the rides. Thankfully there is a height restriction or Cooper would have wanted to ride them ALL! I was finally able to ride since I'm not with child and glad to find out I still love the thrill of a good roller coaster!

Cate enjoyed, no LOVED, the zoo. I figured she would since she adores every animal but I had no idea she would go crazy over the animals. Both of the kids especially loved feeding the birds with the sticks. I think Cooper enjoyed poking the birds that were eating off of Cate's stick more than he did actually feeding them.

Cooper loves school! It's so hard for Cate to leave her bubba. She really thinks she's just as big as he is and should be able to stay too. She gets super excited when we go to pick him up. I thought I would be able to come home after we dropped off Cooper and enjoy the solo time with Cate but we have been so busy running errands that we've only had one day to come home and just play. Hopefully soon things will slow down enough so we can spend some quality girl time.

We have really taken advantage of this beautiful cool weather we've had recently. With Daniel having Friday's off, we've had a couple of picnic lunches outside and played at the local parks.

In just a couple of weeks, we will be in San Francisco for a family vacation. I should have plenty of pictures and stories to share when we return! Happy Fall!!!

School Time!

Today was our big day of going back to school. Cooper was eager to start school this year so much that on meet the teacher night he had to wear his backpack and asked us what we were going to do while he was at school. He loves his teacher and loves knowing several of the kids in his class already. Here is Cooper on his first day of Tuesday/Thursday school!!

This was last years first day of school pic.