The Drama Starts Here!

I have no idea where they come up with this stuff! I certainly DO NOT allow them to watch anything with ANY violence in it!  (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)

Happy 44th Birthday!

Today is my loving husband's 44th Birthday! And as a writer I feel like I should have no problem coming up with something wonderful to say about him and I don't, but sometimes someone else has already written beautiful words and put it to music and that just seems to fit better than anything I could write. And this song may not be a "classical" love song, but it is so beautiful and it just makes me think of him. 

Probably what I like most about this song is it takes me back to when I first met him. No one can deny that after 7 years together, life gets in the way and those early giddy, can't wait to see them again, nothing else matters feelings get put behind the "I have to take the kids to the doctor today, we need milk, the dog dug a hole under the fence, the dishwasher is making a funny noise, the car needs new tires, someone has to monitor homework, the twins have spent all day being loud and destroying the house," kind of days.  

And for me this song brings me back to wanting to do nothing but "Fade into You!"

Even though it may not be a grand celebration today, just know that your wife and kids love you very much!!

By the way, this show - Nashville- I think is really good. First episode was a little hokey, but it keeps getting better each week! Love Powers Booth. He is such a good "bad" guy!

Is This What 6 Years of Wedded Bliss Does To You?

OMG! I completely forgot to post that yesterday, October 21st, was our 6th wedding anniversary! But don't worry, I didn't actually forget the day! But don't get excited...we didn't do anything for our anniversary either. Mostly that is my fault! My poor husband. I am not sure if he WON the lottery or got stuck with a stick in the mud in the wife category!

If he had his way, we probably would of done something, anything...but his CHEAP wife, just can not ever justify in my mind spending money on some extravagant meal, activity, or gift simply because we have done what we promised to do "love each other til death due us part!" He is definately the romantic in the relationship. Fundamentally, we are polar opposites. He is a "yes" person and I am a "no" person. So we have certainly had to learn how to compromise but it isn't like it was hard staying married for six years- it has flown by, which I think means we are having fun.  Yes, it has been a roller coaster six years, but I couldn't imagine riding this ride with anyone else. Yeah, we drive each other nuts sometimes, but I think if you aren't driven a little crazy by your spouse than something is missing!

So on the day of our 6th anniversary - I bought steak and chicken which my wonderful husband smoked. We watched the Cowboys, took a nap, ironed clothes, mowed the yard, and ate cake.

I don't need a big ring, fancy purse, expensive electronic gadget or fancy getaway (although I would gladly accept!) for me to feel loved by my husband, I just need him to do the little things everyday that mean so much!

And hopefully I do the same for him and sometimes when I feel like I have been particularly difficult (shocking that I could be a handful, I know, but I can be) I just remember that for some reason this very good, loyal, honest, brave man has chosen to love me! And for that I am eternally grateful!

51st Dudley Bros. Bull Sale

Yesterday was the Bull Sale and the entire family was able to be there! Mom and Dad easily have the largest crew...(and as one lady told me-- You all look exactly alike!) NICE! 14 of us! 

It was a good day, sale wise and just in general! Just how we like it! My pictures are not in the greatest order...but enjoy lots of cute kids! 

Jordon and Rylan

My pretty little lady!  

"Mama, you coming?"

I think she knows that guy...

Reid seems to recognize him as well. I guess they know him from somewhere.

The Tyler Dudley family making their way to the barn.

Yeah, Uncle Cameron is ever so gentle with him! Not at all contributing to the roughness of my sweet little Reid!

GREAT! Uncle Cameron is teaching him the classic "Cameron hitchin' up his pants" move!

TROUBLE!

Meemaw, Pops and Ella

He didn't understand why he couldn't ride the horses and bulls!

I just love how she is holding up the sale catalog just perfectly! Last year it was Reid and Pops with the DB in the background -- this year it is Ella!

Now THIS is what should be on the billboard in front of Dudley Bros. headquarters!  hahaha! I think I will have a talk with John! 

Hah! Finally got Aunt Lori in a photo! 

Nicole, Ella, Rhett, Tyler, Reid, Pops, Mark and Cameron!

You would think after dealing with Kindergarteners (sp?) all day, she would run from kids! But no! 

Could my Rhett (yes, even though he denied me!) be any cuter?

The Jordon Dudley Family! Now, my Rylan always loves him some Gracie! 

My attempt at an entire group shot! Cause there is NO way this crowd is actually going to take one! Look closely, everyone but me is in there! 

And my heart just exploded!

Love the look on his face! I am positive Uncle Cameron just said something crazy! hahaha!

The faces on these kids! 

This is the best shot of my kids I could get! At least they are all being still. Everybody looking at the camera is still too much to ask for at this moment in time. 

He was actually posing for this!

Rhett was not sure this was such a good idea!

The grandkids(well my generation were the grandkids, so I guess our kids are the great grandkids technically!) are getting so plentifull again that it might be time for a kid shot and change it to Kids for Sale! All total there are 11 with one more on the way! 

Uncle Cameron, Brian, and Reid. That look means that one of the cowboys in the back was not doing his job properly according to Reid!

Reid loves my camera. So during the sale I let him have it and this is one of the pictures he took! 

Eating donuts with Savannah!

Taking Buttercup for a ride around the pasture (a.k.a. Meemaw and Pops' dining room!) 

It was a long and fun day! 

I Think She Is Stuck!

I finally took pity and unwedged her arm! But it wasn't without difficulty!

"Baby Rylan Needs To See Me!" - Reid

Last weekend Aunt Lori, Uncle Jordon and Rylan came to Fort Worth and spent the day with us. Well, most of the day. Aunt Lori had to go to Dallas for work and while she did that Jordon and Rylan hung out with us (and I think it may have squashed any chance of Rylan having siblings! hahahaha!) They came bearing birthday gifts that could not of been a bigger hit!  Reid got Hulk hands so that he could HULK SMASH! And believe me has he ever SMASHED! Ella got magnetic dress up dolls and she loves changing their  dresses!

But more importantly, we got to love on Baby Rylan! The twins just love him. Reid has asked every day since "when is baby Rylan gonna see me?" The Bull Sale next week can not get here fast enough! And I hate to break it to my brother and sister-in-law...but they have gone from Aunt Lori and Uncle Jordy to Rylan's mommy and daddy! He is a hard act to compete with!  And on a slightly selfish note, can I just say, I am pretty sure Rylan digs himself some Aunt Gracie!!!

He asks me numerous times a day to paint him green. I have refused but I fear his Meemaw may cave!!

Ella was reading books to him.

So Sweet! 

Yes, it is safe to assume that Uncle Jordy is pretty popular.

And after this day, I think he has a new respect for his little sister and his mother! hahahaha!

Rylan is thinking "What a light weight!" My little guy crashed while being quiet during Rylan's nap!

Here's to hoping that in a couple of years they are not at Meemaw and Pops' house slugging each other with pillows and talking any younger cousins that may arrive into running down the hall and jumping over pillows while they try to knock them out of the air....yes...I witnessed this happening many times many years ago....SINS OF THE FATHERS......

My goober doobers had their 3-year-old checkup today and they are practically adults now!! Every previous doctor visit resulted in lots of tears when mama would step away for them to be examined...but not today! Both kiddos, happily chatted to the nurse and doctor. Never gave a moment's hesitation. The only tense moment came when Ella got her flu mist and Reid got the flu shot! But my big tough guy still didn't cry! He said OW! and then had his lip turn over and big tears come to his eyes, but by the time I could turn around he was fine and ready to pick out a toy! 

But I do have to tell, when the doctor came in and asked how everyone was doing, Ella immediately told him "My tummy hurt while I was sleeping. And it hurt when I woke up this morning." But she promptly added "but it feels better after I go potty!" He laughed and said "I'll bet!" And not to be left out Reid proudly told him "I PEED IN A CAN!"

And it was the absolute truth! HAHAHA! The minute we arrived in the parking lot of the doctor's office, Reid let me know he needed to potty! Well, his hypocondriact mother told him there wasn't a potty! We try to avoid going potty in public places if at all possible! (They already know not to touch anything because it has gross germs Yup, yes they do!) But he said he really needed to potty! Well, the bathroom at the doctor's office is like a petri dish (in my mind! ) and there was no way I was taking them both in there, so I crawled in the back seat and my big boy proceeded to fill up my empty Dr. Pepper can! and like a CHAMP! 

And yes, I was a little embarrassed when he told the doctor but thankfully the doctor didn't look at me like I was a total crazy lady! Hahaha!