God Bless Burger King

O.K--so we are officially now on the "one income budget" and well, it sucks. It basically means we can only afford the bare necessities(and of course, by 'necessities', I mean cell phones, cable, internet and a variety of groceries--so I completely recognize that these aren't really necessities and i should just spend some time in Uganda or Haiti and I would have a much different perspective....but I'm speaking of "American middle-class necessities") anyway, and so this means no eating out or trips to Target. I have had a little bit of a hard time adjusting to this way of life, but at least I have been trying. Of course, until yesterday. Now, I have completely justified myself because I believe that pregnancy cravings should trump any and all logical thinking. Right? If you want a large bowl of ice cream for breakfast, then you should have it. Or, if your craving fast food, then it's o.k. to spend money reserved for your utility bill. :) So, I had been craving a yummy, greasy hamburger for days. And I had overlooked this craving for many meals, and instead eaten the leftovers in the fridge, or the can of refried beans in the pantry. But by Sunday night....my strength had dwindled and I found myself driving to Burger King. I had NEVER eaten a burger from this place, mainly because I didn't grow up with Burger King, so I just always opted for Sonic of McD's. But oh my gosh....Burger King has changed my life!!! If you haven't already, you have got to go out NOW and buy their new Steakhouse burger. It is life-changing! It was soooo good!!! So, I know this may be the pregnancy hormones talking (or typing) but I'm trying to tell you this is the best burger ever. God bless Burger King!

Our boring life of joy and happiness

Well, there is not a lot to report here at the Skow Hacienda. "Stay-at-home Mom" (which by the way, I HATE this title....so I've got to come up with something better) life is not the most "exciting" thing that's ever happened to me, but definitely the best thing. I am loving being with my kids. They are so beautiful and so funny. So, I just wanted to share a few recent pictures.

Yee Haw!!!

Summer Fun

I don't know why I always think that Summer will slow things down. Summer is fun, and even sometimes relaxing, but nothing about it is slow. The days seem to go by so quickly, and especially when we are traveling. This past weekend we got to visit our best friends in Dallas. We had a great time, talking and swimming. The kids had a blast in their pool. Caleb is becoming a good little swimmer, and Ellie is just a water bug. She has no fear--which of course multiplies my fears. Here are some cute pictures of the water babies. (The cute blonde is my best friend's son....destined to be Caleb's lifelong best friend :)


Both of the boys had Spider man goggles.....so cute!

I couldn't ask for a better daddy for my children......he is amazing, and a great swim coach! :)

Seein' the relatives

Our latest Skow adventure included a jaunt across Texas. We started out travelling to Menard, Texas (a tiny town close to Brady) to celebrate Dawson's Poppo's 90th birthday. It was an awesome celebration with EVERY member of Dawson's family in attendance. All five Skow children, with all of their children and grandchildren were there, along with friends and extended family. It was a grand celebration. One of the highlight's was when Poppo stood up and recited a poem to the crowd that he had memorized in the 3rd grade....which would've been around 1938!

After Menard, we were off to another thriving metropolis, Ft. Davis (very west and very south Texas). Dawson's other grandparents live there. We had a great time, riding horses, bottle-feeding baby calves, playing with goats, eating ice cream out of an old train car.....it was awesome. The best part of the whole trip, aside from eating the best Chili Relleno in the WORLD at a little place called the Cueva, was just spending time with our loved ones. We shared lots of great laughs, long talks and just quiet time under the West Texas stars. Here are a couple of pictures of my little country bumpkins....

Making Memories

We took a day trip to Galveston this weekend. It was awesome! We went with our family--Leah, Clint, Jackson and Sawyer. The kids had a blast. They loved playing in the waves and digging in the sand. Even at Galveston, with it's brown water, seaweed covered beaches and overcrowded scene, there is something majestic about the ocean. To see and be a part of one of God's grandest creations is a pretty cool thing. It was a day for memory making!

Free at Last, Free at Last...Thank God Almighty, I am Free at Last!

Yes, in the words of the great Dr. King--I am free at last. I turned in my keys and my Bryan High ID yesterday. My teaching life is officially over....or at least on hold for a few years. You would think I would be elated, or at least relieved, but for some reason, I'm not. I'm not sure what emotion I'm feeling. I guess it still hasn't really sunk in that I am no longer tied to that school. For 6 years, that is who I have been--a teacher at Bryan High. And for 23 years before that, that is all I can remember wanting to be "when I grew up"--a teacher. Needless to say, it is completey bizarre to NOT be a teacher. Now--I'm just a mommy and a wife. (as if "just" is appropriate?!?) Wow-- new chapter--even if only commemorated by a stupid blog entry. :)

(But as I leave the education world, another Lively girl enters it. This is my baby sister's college graduation...soon to be a 3rd grade teacher in College Station--with my Mom at her side, with 32 years of teaching 1st grade, and my middle sister, starting her 2nd year as a 6th grade math teacher in Bryan. It's in our genes! :)