Uncle Jerry

When our family went to Thibodaux on Christmas Eve to go to mass with Aunt Lydia, she showed us the Magnolia Blossem in the picture above. At face value it seems like just a normal flower, but those several weeks in Louisiana we were experiencing unusually cold temperatures. Aunt Lydia shared that she had driven through the neighborhood and no one elses tree's had blossems. This was the only blossem on the tree.

I am still unable to express in words the magnitude of the loss of such an amazing person. At least one of the kids talks about Uncle Jerry daily, and it's usually some completely random great memory.

The Pin Ball Effect

I m betting by the title and the picture most of you (those of you with siblings especially) can fill in the story yourselves. One child was roughhousing with another child who inadvertently came into forceful contact with third child who got bounced into large hard piece of furniture! Two children got sent to bed early.

Sunday Afternoon Rodeo anyone?

This Sunday we headed to the rodeo...we all enjoyed it. The animals won this round, very few competitors were able to complete there roping, many riders got thrown to the ground.

So Cute!

One of the things we love about living in Louisiana is the culture. This picture is at Boutin's in Baton Rouge, it is one of our favorite places to eat...fabulous food, but always live music, and a dance floor. Ethan was so sweet and asked Aly to dance, and Rhett and I were pleasantly surpirsed when they actually danced rather than just running around. Aiden took this picture!

Mardi Gras Is Around the Corner

These are pictures from last Mardi Gras. Last year we were lucky enough to be asked to help throw beads for a local radio station that one of my good friends works for. We had a great time. I am thankful that Lafayette Mardi Gras is fairly mild, and very family friendly. The kids enjoy the parades, and really it's just a fun time. Aly's class will be having fun activities leading up to Mardi Gras once a week for the next several weeks, and I m on the books to bring treats on Wed. traditionally I would bring a King cake, but being practical the Mom's of the pre-kers decided cupcakes would be more practical.

And for all of you reading this blog thinking the Theobalds are taking the kids to parades where there is nudity and lot's of wildness..... um no it's really not like that. For a tidbit of info...the history of the king cake.
What's a King Cake, you ask? Well, let's find out. From the King Cake section of the Carnival FAQ:
"The King Cake tradition came to New Orleans with the first French settlers and has stayed ever since. Like the rest of Mardi Gras during those early days, the king cake was a part of the family's celebration, and really didn't take on a public role until after the Civil War. In 1870, the Twelfth Night Revelers held their ball, with a large king cake as the main attraction. Instead of choosing a sacred king to be sacrificed, the TNR used the bean in the cake to choose the queen of the ball. This tradition has carried on to this day, although the TNR now use a wooden replica of a large king cake. The ladies of the court pull open little drawers in the cake's lower layer which contain the silver and gold beans. Silver means you're on the court; gold is for the queen.

"With the TNR making a big deal over the king cake in the society circles, others in the city started having king cake parties. These parties particularly among children, became very popular and have also continued to today. The focus of today's king cake party for kids has shifted more to the school classroom than the home, however. Up through the 1950s, neighborhoods would have parties. One family would start the ball rolling after Twelfth Night, and they'd continue on weekends through Carnival. Whoever got the baby (the coin or bean had changed to a ceramic or porcelain baby about an inch long by then) in the king cake was to hold the next party. You can still hear stories from folks who were kids during the Great Depression of what their mommas would do to them if they came home with the baby from a king cake party, since so many families were short on money then.

"[Today,] schools and offices are the main sites for king cake parties these days. Someone will pick up a cake at the bakery on the way downtown and leave it out for everyone to grab a piece, or mom will send one to school on a Friday for the kids to share. You an always tell the locals from the transfers in any given office because the local knows what to do when he or she gets the baby. The foreigner just drops it on the counter or some such, and possibly might not even bring the next cake. Sacrilege."

Back in the Swing of Things

I love this picture! This was taken on the grounds of Aly's school. They call this place "Oak Alley" and when the Seniors graduate this is where they walk. I'm hoping to take this same picture at least once a year as our kids grow.

I guess you can say things are returning to normal after the holidays. The kids are back in school, we are all back in taekwondo, and Rhett and I are back to working our "normal" schedules. I ve started a new part time job, and yes I am still working at the casino. I am teaching computer classes (excel, word, powerpoint, publisher) for the Continuing Ed department at the University. It is an awesome opportunity that Rhett and I are really excited about, but it is not a set, steady amount of hours. I am hoping that for the first several months we can put the "extra" money in savings and once we have a cushion I can quit or dramatically cut my hours at the casino.

9 Year's Ago, My Life Changed Forever!

It was 9 years ago today that Rhett asked me to be his wife. It was not a decision I had to think about, because my heart knew! When I think about how life has changed...it's amazing, and nothing but sweet. So thanks Sweetheart, for getting down on one knee asking me to join you on this awesome journey, and for the last nine years...you've walked in front of me when I needed someone to lead, beside me when I needed someone right there and behind me when I needed a push! Love You!!

Our wedding song was "From this Moment On" by Shania....so I guess a good song now would be "Your still the one!"

Our Weekend Alone!

So my Dad, being the Saint that he is offered to come keep the kids for the weekend. Rhett and I headed to Galveston.  We stayed on the beach, shopped and enjoyed our time alone together.  The kids were happy and spoiled when we returned.

Daddy's Girl.... yep you could call her a Daddy's Girl, but lucky me she is also a Mama's girl. Today when I picked her up from school she ran to me "Mommy, I Love You!" Her teacher said as soon as she saw me she said "There's my Mommy, I Love my Mommy so much" How lucky Rhett and I are to have such a sweet affectionate little one!

Team Theobald

So here it is.....another year!!




Before we had kids, I was so excited to welcome in each New Year, now I find that I 'd like to cling to it just a little longer. I know it sounds so cliche...but it seems like yesterday all of the kids were infants. This New Year is an especially tough one. The end of 2007 brought about the loss of a dear family member, who will be missed...who I am still unable to imagine what life will be like without.