The oldest boy

Is 14 today!  One year away from a learner's permit.  Two years away from a driver's license.  Sigh...wasn't he just born yesterday?

Here are some pics of our handsome man when he was just a wee lad.

Saving some ketchup for later :)

In his kilt and wellies!

He LOVED firetrucks!

But by far the best little tidbit we have of GT as a baby is this:

This video always makes me laugh.  He was so stinkin' cute!  

So with that final piece of embarrassment, I say HAPPY Birthday GT!  You are an awesome kid and we are so lucky to be your parents.  LOVE YOU BUBBA!!!!!!

15 years ago...

I married the most wonderful man!  We have had quite the adventure.  We've got 3 awesome sons.  We've moved A LOT!  We've had great years and not so great years.  But through it all, this I know.  Mr. T is my rock, my best friend, the love of my life.  Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday Aunt T!

Today is my sis-in-law's birthday.  We are so blessed to have Aunt T in our lives.  She goes out of her way to make it to the kiddos' events and she is always there to lend a hand when I am pulling my hair out trying to get everyone here, there and everywhere.  She is even going to spend part of her birthday cheering for GT and the Tigers this afternoon.  After some football, we are going to have a fun birthday dinner at the restaurant of her choice :).

Happy Birthday Aunt T!  We LOVE you!

Ocho Rios!

In 28 days, Mr. T and I will be traveling to Ocho Rios, Jamaica with our good friends!  We are going to celebrate our 15th anniversary and Mr. T's 40th Birthday!  I am beyond excited.

Here is where we are staying: http://www.jeweldunnsriverresort.com/

Here are some fun things we may do (if we decide to get our butts out of the loungers by the pool):
http://www.rainforestadventure.com/jamaica_ocho_rios_tours_excursions/
http://www.dunnsriverfallsja.com/about_us_link.htm
http://www.margaritavillecaribbean.com/welcome_ochorios.html

Come on October 21st!

Come on Fall!

The never ending summer continues.  We get teased with beautiful mornings but come afternoon we are back in the 90's, sweating our tushies off.  BLAH!!

I AM READY FOR FALL!

I am ready for fall weather and fall clothes.  I'd say leaves falling but shoot that is already happening...because they are dying from the drought.  I hate my summer clothes and am ready for jeans and boots!  Come on Fall!  We LOVE you and want you to come hang out in Texas for a while :).

Here is my mantle decorated for Halloween.  I was going to do a more basic fall look but saw so many cute Halloween ideas that I couldn't resist.

Being a mom...

Is sometimes the hardest job in the world!  Right now my youngest child is running through the house, singing in his opera voice and avoiding doing homework.  I know what you're thinking..."that doesn't seem hard" and you'd be right.  It is actually quite entertaining.  However, my focus is not on that.

My focus is on the fact that our oldest child's progress report came in the mail today and it is less than stellar.  Here's the deal, GT is a really smart kid but he has been able to do well in school with minimum effort but as he gets older he can't skim by with minimum effort.  His grades are starting to reflect that.  So now I have to come up with a plan to change his academic course.  I don't want to have to take away sports because he LOVES them but I will if I have to.  I don't want to have to take away his social life but I will.  I will do whatever I can to make sure he gets back on track and I will remind him that school and academic are and always will be number 1 in this house.

Being a mom is hard.  Wish me luck.

Busy, Busy

It is that time of the year in the Trink's house!  Free time does not exist :).  Me and Mr. T live in our vehicles driving here, there, and everywhere.  And guess what...WE LOVE IT!!!

Yesterday was the First Family Pride Night at our middle school.  What a GREAT turnout we had!  It was a LONG, sweaty day (yep, we're back in the triple digits) but so worth it.  Way to go Tiger Families!  Proud of our school and the awesome families, staff, and volunteers.

Here's a picture of our youngest whip-creaming our oldest (this was a fundraiser the football players did for the fire victims):

BMan and Magoo are in full baseball swing and GT has his first football game tonight.  Magoo is also playing flag football but we are still in the practice only phase.

Our big Fall fundraiser at the elementary school is just around the corner and then...

Mr. T and I will be off to Jamaica to celebrate his 40th birthday and our 15th Anniversary.  Some days that trip is what gets me out of bed and keeps me going :).  

I am hoping to post some pics of the kiddos sporting adventures but so far the games schedule and Mr. T's travel schedule are not cooperating so I am usually keeping the score book instead of snapping pics.  Hopefully soon...

Projects

I found these 2 projects on Pinterest and knew I wanted to try them so try them I did.

Project 1:
Pinterest version:

My version (not yet hung):

Project 2:

Pinterest version:

My version:

Wildfires

As most of you know, the Austin area has been devastated by wildfires that began last weekend.  Most of the fires are out or mostly contained but what they leave in their wake is nothing short of horrific.

The hardest hit area, Bastrop, has lost over 1,300 homes and 34,000 acres have burned.   Here is a link to the fire that occurred just up the road from us: Leander Slideshow.  This fire has been ruled as arson and I truly hope those responsible are brought to justice.  The Steiner Ranch fire left 25 families without homes and numerous others with severe damage.

Please consider making a monetary donation to the Red Cross to help out the victims - http://www.centex.redcross.org/detalle_noticias.asp?id=9981&IdCapitulo=F9ZLZNZ3KD

This is an image from the Bastrop Fire.  It shows just how massive this fire was.  

THE Cup

No not for coffee or tea but for something else :)

As a mom of 3 boys that all play sports, THE cup and where it ends up doesn't really faze me.  I know some of you would DIE to know that it can often be found on the kitchen counter, in my truck, in my purse, in my dishwasher, and sometimes in my hand.  It has even been found (by some poor unsuspecting bagger at the grocery store) in my reusable grocery bags.

In case you still aren't sure which cup I am referring to here's a pic - ENJOY!

Guess what?

I'm getting a nephew-in-law!  My niece, Chelsea just got engaged.  Hope Zak is ready to join this family lol.  Here's a pic of the happy couple

Welcome Wonderful Weekend

And it promises to be a busy one!  Mr. T and GT are headed to Michigan for Great Grandpa Roger's 85th birthday celebration.  Since B Man and Magoo have a baseball tournament we are unable to go.

I am excited for the eldest to have a bonding weekend with his dad.  I am however jealous that the temps up there are going to be in the 70's to low 80's during the day and may get down into the 50 's (!!!!!!!) at night.  My jealousy level may increase with the temps here - especially during the 2:00 game tomorrow :).

I am hoping to dust off the camera and get some pics of the boys in action.  Stay tuned...

Instagram is awesome

Instagram is my fav photo app for my iPhone.  I love all the filters and how you can take pics with the regular camera app and then go to instragram and add filters.  If you don't have it for your phone you should spend the $.99 or $1.99 or whatever.

Things that make me smile

Mr T

GT and B Man

Magoo

Addiction

I am beginning to think I may have an addictive personality.  Most of you know about my diet coke addiction.  My daily large DC from McD's makes me smile.  I feel I am worth at least $1.08 a day.

So my latest addiction is Pinterest.  It is a big old virtual bulletin board of all sorts of wonderful things.  There's food, craft ideas, clothes, DIY, you name it they probably have it.  You can check it out at pinterest.com.  Let me know if you want an invite.

Disclaimer - Pinterest may take over your life.  I am not responsible for you becoming addicted to pinterest :)