Fall 2008 Conference Packs for Kids (and kids at heart)

I am happy to announce, that I found an updated Conference Pack for the kids for next weekend! My girls LOVED the one from last year and it really helped them focus. I won't lie and say they listened to all "24" hours of conference, but they did focus better and quietly did the activities while I got to actually listen! This is the best...a must have! Pass it around!

http://coloroftheskyinmyworld.blogspot.com/2008/09/october-general-conference-packet.html

Should I be concerned?

As you all know we've taken away Bowen's passie. It has been a rough road, and Bowen has found about three lost/missing passies in the process. I thought if I brought a radio into his room and let him listen to some music at night, it would occupy his mind and he wouldn't cry. So, I pulled out the old classical music for baby's night time edition, and of course it didn't' work. He would still cry and cry. So, I just stop putting it on. Then last night after 30 minutes of crying I thought, I'd try the music again. Unbeknownst to me, the girls put Hannah Montana in his CD player, so when I went to turn it on, "Best of Both Worlds" came rocking out! And Bowen said, "Montana"! and laid right down. I told him if he cried I would turn it off. He said, "O-K" and it was just short of a Christmas miracle...he laid down and didn't cry another tear! This morning when I went to go and get him, he pointed to the radio and said, "Montana pees!" So, as I type Bowen is getting jiggy to Hannah Montana. Oh dear, should I be concerned? (Dad, don't worry, the radio volume was very low in this photo!)

Kate's Career Day

Kate had career day today at school. They were supposed to dress up like what they want to be when they grow up. How do you dress up like an entomologist? Well, last minute, this is what I came up with...(Thanks to Maria and Em for suggestions and Aunt KT for finding the vest!) It wasn't exactly what I wanted, but on short notice, it worked! I was at the school a couple times today for meetings and car pool and several people commented on the little entomologist! She cracks me up! I asked Clair what she wants to be when she grows up and she said, "A princess". Kate said, "That isn't a job, they don't do anything!" Clair responded..."Yes, they do! They help the queen!"
*If you look close you can see Kate's little red nose and chapped lips...she has a slight cold!*

Call Kids Update

Jack Attack!

Smiling Brooklyn

The 2 kiddos enjoying the parade

Sweet Smiler

Brooklyn is showing of Grandma Great during show and tell at school. She loves talking about Grandma that she lives in Utah and she pushes a wheel chair. She is so funny!

Here are some pics of my kids at the comal county parade this morning. You can also check them out at our blog on the sidebar to the right. Jack has also fell in love with basketball. He is his mama's little boy! While Brooklyn is at school we spend time together and he wears me out because he would stay out in the hot sun the whole time if l let him. Brooklyn loves her Joy school and has a "New Sister" (in the gospel at least) her name is Amaya. They call each other sisters and have become vast friends. They are so funny together. Sorry for not posting regularly, but I will try and do better.

Four Perfect Pebbles

Last night I went with my friend Ivy to the Jewish temple to hear Marion Lazan speak. She is a Holocaust survivor. She wrote a young adults/children's book about her experiences. I read the book about two weeks ago and last night I got to hear her speak. It was phenomenal! I am amazed and in awe of people who go through extreme tragedy and come out strong and without bitterness! Mrs. Lazan is both! Her message is one of hope and faith and most importantly, one of love and peace! I do not understand MASS hatred...and Mrs Lazan teaches "her audience to be tolerant of others and not stereotype individuals based on religious belief, color, race or national origin. She stresses the importance of positive thinking as well as creativity and inner-strength when working to overcome adversity. She warns students to be true to themselves and not blindly follow the leader." Mrs Lazan's entire family was held in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp...her mother, father, & brother! To occupy her mind and time while being held prisoner, Mrs. Lazan believed that if she could find four perfect pebbles that were the same size, shape, and color...her entire family...all four of them...would survive! And they did! Her story is remarkable and testifies of the strength of the human spirit! I recommend you read this book...and go and hear her speak if you can! Hearing live testament of these events will only be possible for a short time more...take advantage of it! To close I want to leave you with a quote Mrs. Lazan shared with us, it was said by the British Statesman Edmund Burke, "Evil prevails when good men do nothing."

Twilight Mania

OK Twilight fans....

Here is a little something to think about to pass the time before the movie comes out!

Em...here is your next place to visit...after Prince Edward Island of course!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap_travel/20080922/ap_tr_ge/travel_by_the_book_vampire_tourism

Rah rah ree...kick 'em in the knee...rah rah rass...kick 'em in the...

OK, so that is not one of Kate's cheers...but it is my personal favorite! That is why I was never a cheerleader! However, I have a very girly girl, who thinks cheerleading is SO cool and here we are!

This was Kate's first game to cheer...she actually missed the official first game due to a fever (or as Bowen says...FEE-BER!). So this week the weather was WONDERFUL...not hot, not humid, nice coolish breeze and little kids cheering and playing flag football...it was pretty nice. I am still a bit confused as to how I cheer for Kate cheering? This was me..."Yeah Kate! Way to....ummm cheer...ummm...cheerleaders!" I felt like a dork! I guess I have all week to think about it and lots of family to comment on the appropriate way to cheer for the cheerleaders! Oh and by the way...for those of you who are cheer dumb...like me, those pom poms don't come all fluffed out like that! I spent like 3 hours getting her pom poms ready for her! THREE HOURS! (Look at that lunge in this photo...go Kate...get into it!)

Are you kiding me!

Check out this news clip! I think these parents are setting the wrong example! What idiots!

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5815283

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na...Hey Hey...Good-bye!

Big news in the Bright house! So last night Stephen went to put Bowen to bed and he couldn't find his passie. For several months he only gets it when he is in the bed and so we didn't' know what happened to it. He had been playing in his room and I think he must have tried to sneak sucking on it and then put it down or hid it somewhere. I told Stephen I had another one out in the car (for emergencies!). He said, let's just see what happens if he doesn't have it. So, Stephen rocked him for about 5 minutes and just kind of snuggled him. Then he laid him in the crib and went out and closed the door. Bowen immediately started crying. "Ohhhh nooooo! Passsssieeee! Passsssieeeee!" It was pitiful. Stephen went back in after about 5 minutes of him calling for his pass. He asked Bowen what was wrong, Bowen told him his passie was gone. Stephen consoled him and told him he didn't know what happened to it. He told him to lie down and just rest and Stevie gave him his little stuffed dog from Aunt Geraldine and Uncle Ben (Root Bear...AKA Rubbie). Stephen left the room again, and Bowen didn't cry, but went to sleep and slept pretty much all night. He woke up once and cried out, but went back to sleep quickly! I guess a real test will be nap time...and tonight. Maybe if we just snuggle a bit he will feel soothed enough to be able to relax. Keep fingers crossed! So sad...another baby thing gone! :(

The Plight of the Rockets

The big question is...Will it be ready?


The Rocket stadium was torn down for re-building towards the end of last school year. It was supposed to be done by now, but clearly by the pictures (eventhough they are fuzzy...I took this at about 8:00, with my Blackberry phone) you can tell that it is far from completed and ready to hold screaming fans wearing red and gray. It is supposed to be ready for its first game next Friday (not in 2 days, but in a week and 2 days).
Here are a couple of pictures of the new scoreboard. You can see it now says "D.W. Rutledge Stadium," which is it's new name.


Supposedly everything will be completed except the pressbox, which is obviously still under scaffolding. There will be no consessions and a pressbox with scaffolding. It doesn't seem very safe, but that's the plan. What do you think...will it be ready or will the Rockets be homeless for yet another Home game?

Broadway Series with Mom

I think Mom really enjoyed her first installment of her birthday gift from us kids...season tickets to the Broadway series. Yesterday we went to our first Broadway Series show in San Antonio. It was The Color Purple. I've been to lots of shows and there were parts I enjoyed and parts I didn't. The music was very pretty. We are looking forward to our next show in October.

Nebraska and corn

Yesterday I went to Nebraska for work. That is my first time in the state. I got there Wedneday and left Thursday, so it was a quick trip. I didn't get a chance to be a tourist, but I did get this photo with my camera phone as we were driving down the road. Brooklyn asked me to bring her back some corn, but this was the best I could do!

Brooke...do not read this!

I didn't want to do it, but the little guy left me no choice. I tried sweeping him up. I tried catching him in a container, but in the end my roommate met his demise. So little Mediterranean Gecko RIP. I love seeing them outside and I appreciate their role in the ecosystem, but I DO NOT...let me repeat...DO NOT like them in my house.
I'm mostly sorry to my cousin Brooke who asked me not to kill the little guy. I really tried Brooke...sorry!

I have a picture, but I can't get it to upload.

I have a New Roommate...

And I DON'T LIKE IT!


Yesterday, while sitting on the couch reading, movement on my carpet caught my eye.

Thinking it was a spider, I picked up my shoe and tried to wack it, when I discovered it was not a spider. It was a Texas gecko. I did a little research on the internet and discovered that they are called Mediterrian Geckos. I tried killing it twice last night, but it got away. Tonight I went to get something out of my bedroom, only to discover it had taken up residence in the top corner of my bedroom wall...right above the bed. That is not a good thing...I'm used to sleeping alone. I tried getting it with a broom, but it didn't budge.

I didn't want to smooch it on the wall and get blood and guts everywhere, so I called my heroic brother who lives about 5 blocks away. I know it was 10:15 pm and I shouldn't need a man to take care of these types of things...but they freak me out and I was sure it was going to fall on my bed or worse - in my hair. I had images of The Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan, where the lizard gets into the future stepmom's hair and then falls into her mouth.

My heroic brother suggested I just hit the thing harder. Which I did. It still didn't budge. I then tried it again and yes I might have screamed like a little girl as it started running down my wall straight towards my bed and yes I might have screamed as if I were being murdered as it disappeared behind my bed, but no my brother was not too heroic as he said, "Is that you screaming?" Of course it was...who else was he talking to!

I proceeded to call my mom, when I couldn't find the invader. I decided that I would just sleep in the guest room. While doing a little work in the living room, I saw the stupid thing on the wall by my bookshelf.


I just spotted the thing again, but it got away again, this time seeking refuge under the couch. Don't worry...I will get that gecko if it is the last thing I do. But no Joel, I will not take your advice and just pick it up with napkins and through it in the toilet. That is creepy and broom just seems more permanenet.

Girl's Night!

Those of you that know Brooklyn, know that she is a planner. Her famous last words are, "I have an idea..." And believe me, she has major ideas. For weeks and weeks Brooklyn has been planning a "Girl's Night." She discussed her plans, had her parents make lists of people to invite, and had every detail in mind. Her invitee list included just about every female she knew, including Pepper (Joel's female dog), Big Mama, Jaqueline, and Scribbles (some friend's female goats). Lucky for me, since I was hosting it the goats and dog were unable to make it. The guest of honor was, of course, Shelby. Shelby is a cheerleader at the high school where Joel coaches. She also happens to have been in my 3rd and 4th grade class when I taught here. She used to attend church with my parents as well. Shelby is great with Brooklyn and Brooklyn thinks she is greatest. Shelby was so sweet to come spend a Friday night with myself and a 3 year old.

We had a great time. We had pizza, lots of candy (both requests of Brooklyn), played Disney Video Bingo, watched High School Musical, and did a craft project.


Brooklyn had a great time and talked about it for days after the fact.

Brooklyn was a little disappointed that our Girl's Night only consisted of Brooklyn, Shelby, and myself. During the prayer she said, "I'm a little upset that one 3 of us got to come. It's just not as fun."

Tagged...48 Odd Things about you

48 ODD Things about you!

1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes, but just in like the last 5 years.
2. Have you ever smoked heroin? Heck No! Just Say No is something I still stick with
3. Do you own on a gun? no...but I've been looking into a gun and a concealed weapons license. I am from Texas after all! :)
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at sonic? Lime is great in Diet Coke or Diet Dr. Pepper
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Yes...if it is about something serious.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? If you haven't had a Gray's Papaya hot dog, from the corner of Amsterdam and 92nd in NYC you are missing out.
7. Favorite Christmas movie? I'm a sucker for just about any Christmas movie, but I love Charlie Brown's Christmas
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? water because I am trying to be good, but if I could waste calories on juice it would be natural apple juice...it's great.
9. Do you do push ups? not since grade school, for the Presidential Fitness Award
10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? an emerald ring I got for my 8th birthday...oddly it still fits.
11. Favorite hobby? Reading or crafts
12. Do you have A.D.D.? if I'm in a boring meeting (work or church)
13. What's one trait you hate about yourself? I wear my emotions on my sleeve...if I don't like you, my face gives me away every time.
14. Middle name? that is classified information that I like to keep just between my family...if you ask my brother it's Rebbecca - but it really isn't
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I should go to bed, I wish that throbbing in my head would go away, I wish my house was clean!
16. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? bottled water, dinner at a steak house for myself and a co-worker (business trip), and a night at a hotel in Tyler, Texas
18. Current worry? yes...that I'm going to have to clean my house...I hate doing that.
19. Current 'hate' right now? the media's over-emphasis of non-important things
20. Favorite place to be? on vacation with my family, Hawaii, some place warm
21. How did you bring in the New Year? with my family and some good friends
22. Where would you like to go? New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Australia
24. Do you own slippers? yes...I was raised by Sherree...the queen of slippers
25. What's your nickname? Em
26. What year would you go back in time to? It would be fun to go back to Civil War times...just for the fashion, but nothing else would be fun about that time...so I should just stay here
27. Can you whistle? yes
28. Favorite color? yellow
29. Would you be a pirate? no business doing that
30. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing in the shower...I like to be in and out
31. Favorite girl's name? Caroline, Molly, Reagan, Bronte
32. Favorite boy's name? Jack, Drew, Matthew, Joel
33. What's in your pocket right now? I'm wearing a night shirt
34. Last thing that made you laugh? Governor Palin's speech at the Republican National Convention
35. Most wonderful job you ever had? my current one
36. Worst injury you've ever had? broken arm
37. Remember your first kiss? Yes
38. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2
39. Who is your funniest friend? Does my brother count as a friend? All my friends make me laugh.
40. How many dogs do you have? None, but I'd love to have an English Bulldog
41. Does someone have a crush on you? Seriously doubt it
42. What is your favorite book(s)? Rebbeca, Twilight series, and really too many more to list
43. What is your favorite candy? I LOVE CANDY!!! Harbo Gummi Bears are my favorite
44. Favorite Sports
45. Your favorite meal? It depends on my mood
46. What were you doing 12 AM last night? sleeping
47. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? WHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYY?
48. Do you have any odd habits? I have a slight obsession with facial hair, all due to the fact that growing up the bearded lady went to church with us and it freaked me out beyond repair.

Fill free to leave a comment...answering one or more of these 48 odd things about you.