Celebrating the Small Stuff

Another busy day today. Laundry mountain awaits. My kids' rooms look like a bomb went off. Sorting through school supplies, making sure we got it all. Music lessons, football practice and band rehearsals later. A trip to the grocery store, yet again, because I forgot something yesterday (don't 'ya hate when you do that??). Puppy proofing our house getting ready for her arrival, only to find out today that she's still feeding from her mom and is not ready yet to leave (yes, insert sad face here). But, there are a few things that have happened that have brightened my day. Just sharing the things that have made me smile ...




1)

This whiteboard is in our kitchen, by the phone, for messages, notes, etc. Chris wrote me this note today and I wrote him back. Then the girls chimed in too. Just had to laugh!


2) The girls had their music lessons today. While Annie was off practicing her bass guitar, Kate had her vocals/piano lesson. A few days ago, she found the chords to this song and worked on it for a little while. It's still a work in progress, but I love it so far!

Kate@Music Practice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2GXn-UYFZM

The Times, They Are A-Changing

It's that familiar time of the year ... just before school starts again. Or as a friend of mine and I like to joke and sing that old Office Max commercial, "♫ it's the most wonderful time of the year!♫" :) The kids are starting to wind down their crazy summer schedules. A few less sleepovers, a more regular sleep routine, just more regimen in the house. But this year, there are a few changes ahead.

This fall, the girls are off to sixth grade. Yes, that means MIDDLE SCHOOL! (Did I just say that?) Gosh, it seems not that long ago they were heading off to kindergarten. And Chris? Well, my little dude is moving on to the third grade. Again, can't believe that either. I remember just being so happy when he got into a preschool and THEY potty trained him. Ah, yes, celebrate the little joys in life, right?

Normally, this time of year, we're focusing on getting the music lessons and a baseball schedule coordinated. This year, we have a bit more with which to contend. Besides the kids being in two different schools and the band/music lessons to handle, we're also going to have 1) middle school band for the girls (Annie will continue her flute lessons and Kate will be starting clarinet); 2) Chris playing football this fall (he's SOOOOO excited about that); and 3) our new dog added to our household! Our puppy will be here very soon and she's sure to cause a bit of an uproar. I'm sure I'll be taking and posting pics of her very soon, so stay tuned!

Here are a few pics of the kids with things from their new fall activities, and a few pics of me and our new puppy. Yeah, after a really nice summer, it's kind of cool to look forward to some exciting changes ahead.

Happy Tuesday! -- S

"Fortunately for children, the uncertainties of the present always give way to the enchanted possibilities of the future." -- Gelsey Kirkland




Football camp starts tonight!!

A little of the old and the new. New instruments on the right, but Kate always goes back to her beloved piano, and Annie ...

... to her old favorite too!

Me with our new puppy. This is the second time I saw her. Yep, fell more in love. Check out this face ... I mean, c'mon!! Seriously cute.

Meet Our New Puppy!

Well, the deal is done! After giving it long consideration, we now have a PUPPY!!! Tonight I got to see the new litter of pups from Pinnie's breeder, and picked out our new little addition to the family. She's too young still to leave her mom, and we won't be able to get her home until the end of the month. But tonight, after this little girl cuddled with me, licked my nose and snuggled her face in my hoop earring, I knew this was the dog for us!!

We're still debating on names for Puppy Brogdon. Chris wants one name, Annie wants another, and Kate still another. We're going to give it a lot more thought, and Jon and I have some ideas in mind too. We'll be heading back next week to see her again, and I'll be taking more pics. But in the meantime, check out our new little one. Isn't she a cutie?

Have a great Thursday! -- S

BandFotos: SL180 & Chaotic Ei8ht

It's been a while since I've posted pictures from my daughters' band, Speed Limit 180. Oh, they're still rocking it out and have been performing all this time. I've just been posting the pictures in videos or in Facebook albums. Thought it might be a good time to post a Speed Limit 180 photo update on my blog. But there's more! Check this out too!

In the last several months, the girls have also been performing in a second band, called Chaotic Ei8ht. This band has been opening for Speed Limit 180 at their gigs. The girls switch it up a bit in this one ... Annie is on keyboard and vocals, and Kate is on drums and vocals. These guys practice at our house weekly, and have really been coming together well as a band!

Here are pictures of Chaotic Ei8ht and Speed Limit 180 from this past weekend's gig at Junior's in Round Rock. Have a rockin' week! -- S



Meet the members of Chaotic Ei8ht! Kate on drums and vocals; Stephanie, Braden, Nick and Jonah on guitar; Chris on bass; and Annie on keyboard and vocals.

















And here are pics from Speed Limit 180!

Kate back on keyboard and vocals ...


Marley on bass guitar ...



Annie on rhythm guitar and vocals ...


Mason on vocals ...



Taylor on lead guitar ...


... and Marley and Annie's awesome boots! :)

A Doggy Dilemma

So, we have a bit of a problem in our house right now. My kids want a dog. Bad. This has been for some time now, and they periodically bring it up, asking -- no, pleading -- "Mom/Dad, can we get a puppy?" For a long time, we have said no because Annie's allergic to dogs, we were moving, "you're too young and won't help take care of it", "we're never home", whatever. Annie even added words to Amy Winehouse's Rehab song: "I asked my mom for a puppy, and she said, NO, NO, NO!" Nice, huh?

Don't misunderstand ... I love animals, and I always had pets, both dogs and cats, growing up. Prince, Hans, Missy, Prissy, Bandit, Forrest, Jenny, and most of all, Kristle, all brought a lot of companionship and love to my life. Not to mention the animal entourage my cousin had when we lived in our grandparents' home -- I was fond of all her pets too. But these last several years, we've not had any four legged friends at home, and with the kids finally a little older, it's been, well ... kind of liberating.

Annie's allergies to dogs seem to be okay with certain breeds, and we think we've found one that is manageable for her and that we all like. Soooo, we're weighing the pros and cons. Here's how I see it:

PROS

1. A cute, tiny little FIFI type dog to love, cuddle, take with me places, and dress up -- yeah, that would be fun.
2. We spend more time at home now, so more time with the dog = a win-win for all.
3. Since we travel a lot to Houston, a FIFI size dog would be easy to bring along (as opposed to the last dogs we had, two gigantic golden retrievers. Together they were like handling Clifford the Big Red Dog. So NOT fun).
4. Kids really would like a pet, and might learn some responsibility in caring for it (but I'm not holding out too much hope for that -- see CONS section).
5. Experiencing the endless and unconditional love you get from a family pet -- I know firsthand -- priceless!


CONS

1. FIFI dog would, no doubt, crap in the house. Dog poo is not my idea of a good time.
2. FIFI could possibly be a chewer, and with lots of musical equipment around, guitar fretboards might look kinda tasty.
3. Kids renege on their promise to help care for FIFI (and with them heading into teenage years, how likely is that?? Mmmmhmmm) and dog becomes totally mine to care for. So, another 'baby' now? Not sure I want to go THERE.

Am I missing anything? Here are some pictures of my relatives' pup, Pinnie. She is a Maltipoo. Yes, she is ADORABLE, and yes, I could see myself falling in puppy love. This is the kind of dog we would like to get, should we decide to accept this mission. ha! ha! I know this is a personal decision, but what do you think? Please help and send your comments... my kids are driving me crazy with this doggy dilemma!

Indecisively yours,
-- S

A Beautiful Songbird

♫ At last ... her time has come along .... ♫. And wow, can this girl belt out a song!! I'm not kidding, she's beautiful AND talented! Nina and I met for a photo session to take pictures of her for a possible upcoming record contract. I knew from a few pictures on Facebook generally what she looked like, but I had no idea of how beautiful she really is, and what an incredible voice she has! We took several pictures to start, and after a while, I asked if I could hear a little of her singing. She sang an incredible cover of Etta James' "At Last", and all the while I kept snapping away, taking pictures of her in her element. Even with being around my two musician daughters and hearing music all the time, I was pretty well blown away by her awesome talent.

I did not realize at first that she was nervous at the beginning of our photo session. It wasn't until later that I understood that was the case, and that afterward she said that she had a good time during our shoot. What an added bonus that was for me! It means so much to me that my clients enjoy themselves during our time together. And these photos?! I really love them!

Nina -- best wishes again to you on your musical endeavors! You have such an incredible gift, being able to bring song and joy to people's hearts. It was such a pleasure being able to capture your beauty and personality in these photos.

All the best! -- S






I just love her hair. And her eyes. And her voice. You go, girl!




And a very special thanks to Dora for letting us use her FABULOUS house for our photoshoot! I love, love, love your place! :)

Happy Fourth!

It's the Fourth of July today. Normally, I would be spending this day with my Hernandez side of the family at our annual family reunion. This year it was moved to October, when it's not so hot (yay!). Seems kind of weird to have this day go by without them, but I know our reunion will be here before you know it. :) For this holiday, we'll be celebrating with friends soon, with a cookout and lots of kids around the house!

Still, I didn't want the day to go by without recognizing and thanking those members of my family who have served our country. My father, my two uncles, and my father-in-law all served in the various branches of the U.S. military. For them, and to all those who serve to provide our nation's freedom ... have a wonderful Independence Day!

-- S

A friend of mine posted this quote on her facebook wall today. I thought it was so appropriate for the occasion ... just had to re-post (thanks Michelle)!

"May it be to the world, what I believe it will be ... the signal of arousing men to burst the chains ... and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form, which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. ... For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them." - Thomas Jeffferson, June 24, 1826

Rafael Hernandez (my dad), United States Army.

Dennis R. Topper (my father-in-law), United States Air Force

Ruben Hernandez (my uncle), United States Navy

Gilbert Olivares (my uncle), United States Navy