Clay's

We have a local restaurant here called Clay's.  It's a restaurant/petting zoo.  Sounds odd, I know.  We love it!  They have great food and Ally gets to feed the animals.  The staff is super friendly and we get to support a local family owned business.  We recently went with cousin Mira, Uncle Joe and K-pa.

Is Bigger Better?

Supersized meals.  King sized candy bars.  Extended SUVs and trucks.  Super Big Gulp.  McMansions.  Upgraded vacation packages.  It seems like you can always go bigger.

But is bigger actually better?

Jonny and I do want a big family.  That is one thing where, for us, bigger is better.  If/when that other kid comes along we will need one thing that is bigger.  A bigger car.  I can't fit 3 car seats in my backseat and at the rate Ally is growing she'll be in a car seat until she goes to college. 

The question of bigger house comes up time and time again.  Our house is plenty big.  We have 3 bedrooms, living room and dining room, and a study with a closet that could easily be converted into an extra room.  Right now Alyssa has a room and James has a room.  When guests stay Baby James gets kicked out of his room.  Should we have a guest room?  Where would baby #3 sleep?  Do we need equal number of rooms as there are kids?

This past weekend we were driving through small farm towns between Houston and Austin.  There  are tiny humble homes and double wides on a nice plot of land.  Most of their yards are scattered with toys, bikes, swing sets, and other evidence that there are children around.  It seemed happy and fun!  It got me to thinking...

Since when does every kid need their own room?  Why can't kids share a room like Jonny had to and my brothers had to?  Why do kids need a play room?  There were 4 kids in my family and not one play room. 

One of the things that really drew us to this house was how open it was.  It draws people together.  It's great for entertaining.  Living room and dining room are open to each other.  You can see each of these rooms from the kitchen.  It will force our family to be together.  I won't have to use an intercom to tell my kids dinner is ready.  I won't have to search thousands and thousands of square feet  for a lost shoe or Lovey.  There are only so many places it could be.  Of course, we want to give our kids everything.  What parent doesn't?  But  who's to say that the bond and love formed by siblings sharing a room isn't everything? 

So, our house may be a little crowded, but it'll be full of love and fun! 

A Very Happy Birthday

March 19, 1929  Hilton Handley Hagan, better known as Popa or Big Popa was born.  March 19, 1980 Anthony Hagan Moline or Uncle Tony was born.  It has been a double birthday in our family for the last 31 years.  This year, however, it was a very very happy birthday indeed.

Popa has been a resident of Seton Hospital in Austin for the last 5 weeks or so.  He started to not be able to move as easily as he once could.  He was falling down.  Something wasn't right.  He has since been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease and brain cancer.  He has good days and bad days (but don't we all?) and it's said that he won't be coming home.  He'll always need some assistance.  Only time will tell.  He is truly a survivor.  He has survived fighting in the Korean War, having a wife with Alzheimer's, raising 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren, not to mention cancer 3 different times!

This day there was not talk of being sick.  No one was sad.  Good memories and good stories were shared as well as a few cupcakes.  It was indeed a very happy birthday.

Birthday boys with the babies.

If no one will give me a cupcake I'll have to settle for my bib.

Finally!  Thanks for the icing, Dad!

The whole crew.  P.S.  Someone (I think Uncle Drew) taught Alyssa to "smile big."

Celebrating Uncle Tony's birthday at Dave and Busters.

Ally's allergic to...

...sleep!

Every single night this week she's been up at least an hour after bedtime.  It's starting to get really old really fast.  She's up talking to Go-go!  I really want Go-go to disappear.  Of course, I don't want to squish her imaginary friend, but I'm tired of her using Go-go as an excuse.

I can't really blame her though.  I have always been a night owl.  Always.  I've always loved to read.  I never got in trouble for reading.  Getting out of bed, yes.  Reading, no.  I was my own best friend and talked to myself quite a bit.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.



I want my good sleeper back!



Happy Anniversary

Today Jonny and I celebrate 6 years of marriage.  A lot has happened since 3/4/05.  We both have changed jobs numerous times, moved into two apartments before buying our house, got two (used, but new to us) cars, had our beautiful baby girl!, had an amazing little boy!, taken numerous vacations, made a million memories.  I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Top 6 Things I Love About Being Married to Jonny

1.  Jonny wants people to live up to their potential and succeed.  He is my number one fan, supporter, cheerleader.  Jonny never for one second believes my dreams are unattainable.  I wanted to stay home with our babies.  He works hard to make that happen.  I talk about opening my own dance studio, going back to school, writing a children's book.  He wants to make it happen.

2.  Jonny is an amazing father.  I love to watch him push Alyssa on the swing every afternoon.  He teaches her how to hold a bat and golf club and even got a little plastic set for her.  He lays on the floor encouraging James to roll over.  He's also starting to show James the proper follow through when pitching...hmmm...I see a lot of baseball in our future.

3.  Jonny is a hard worker.  He gets up at 2 am every week day morning to go to work.  Some days he works 10-12 hours.  Jonny works hard and plays hard.  He's going to push himself even if it's just a friendly game of kickball.  He will never be satisfied with just doing enough to get by.  He must do everything to his fullest potential.  He always gives it his all.

4.  Jonny is a great friend.  Need help moving?  Jonny will be there.  Have a tax/finance question?  No problem.  Jonny will help you.  Need someone to help out with pets while you're on vacation?  Okay, just let him know when.  Since we don't have family nearby, our friends are our family.  He will do anything for them.

5.  Jonny loves to laugh.  When something truly tickles him he laughs with his whole body.  It is infectious.  And he loves to laugh!!!  He likes to make others laugh.  He's the funniest person in the world, just ask him :)

6.  Jonny is a fountain of knowledge.  He has an amazing memory.  He is very smart (almost too smart for his own good) and he's always willing to learn more.  Recently, we've been cooking together.  Trying new recipes.  It's fun and definitely a learning experience.