Another Tragedy at the Jolley's

Sad, sad news. Saturday morning, we lost Minnie (Carissa's mouse). I've actually been quite surprised that the atrocious lil creature endured as long as she had. Carissa was quite upset, for a bit, until she started getting excited about all the new animal prospects. We buried Minnie right next to Mickey. Carissa dug the whole. Kasey said the following prayer;

"God is great, God is good, Let us thank him for our food, by his hand, we are friends, thank you for our daily breath, amen, let's be friends, you may eat"

Not exactly the typical burial prayer, but Kasey doesn't exactly do anything that is "typical".

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Halloween Firsts

A Boyfriend?? Wow... Brayden (Carissa's first boyfriend) joined us for Trick or Treating. We picked him up, headed south to Highland Park and met Taylor and Kennedy.

My gang, plus Brayden and Kennedy

Carissa and Brayden (notice there is no touching.... that's not allowed)

Gavin - The "Skater Punk Zombie" (What happened to my lil Buzz Lightyear?)

Kasey - The Zombie Mummy (what?? What is a zombie mummy? Why not just sponge-bob?)

Took the gang down to Highland Park. My favorite house was the one where the older gentlemen answered the door in his full suit and "served" the trick or treaters candy on a silver platter!

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Travis and Michelle's Engagement Shoot

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Catch Up

Alrighty, well, being that I'm sick (AGAIN!!) and spending the weekend at home, I figured it was perfect timing to catch up on some long awaited posting...

A lot has happened in the past month or so, but I'm going to take it one post at a time. So, I start with some new artwork I created that is currently running on the back cover of my magazine here in Dallas. Thanks Titan Home Theater for the opportunity.

PS. This jpeg doesn't do the ad justice. The actual page is beautiful. They loved it and said it was the best that any publication has ever created for them. (Self Promotion, yes I know)

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Isn't it Ironic?

Well, needless to say, I was alarmed by the arrival of a new unwanted guest in the kitchen; A mouse!!! I've been wondering for the past two days if the clicking noise in the kitchen is my fridge going out. Nope, I’m sure it’s a mouse. I put a call in for an exterminator on Sunday to come and rid my home of the unwanted thieving lil rodent.

The irony lies in the fact that shortly after the exterminator call on Sunday the boys mouse, Mickey, left this life. We’re not exactly sure what happened, could have been the gigantic waterbottle that fell off the side of the cage and possibly squished the poor lil guy to death, or he could have been sick with some atrocious rodent disease or maybe simply the fact that a mouse has the lifespan of FLY!! However, Carissa found him belly up, stiff and stinky on Sunday morning. It was quite traumatic. Gavin and Kasey were completely distraught over losing their beloved disgusting lil rodent. We had a small burial ceremony outside at the tree. Gavin dug the whole and buried Mickey, Carissa gave a prayer and Kasey gave the eulogy (as best as a 5 year old could).

So… Now I’ve got the mouse I don’t want dead... dead. And the one I would like terminated still alive and kickin. Se La Vie.

(I apologize for not having more compassion for the revolting repulsive vile lil rodent. Obviously, I'm not a big fan of mice. Whoever thought that giving children mice as pets was a very imprudent person)

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If you value your sleep...

Do Not Learn Photoshop!!! I have sooo many photos to edit, I don't know how I'll ever get through it! There are so many fun things to do, I find myself getting carried away and before I know it, I've completely over engaged!

I've been sick for quite some time and am just starting to feel back to normal. I came down with an intense fever 13 days ago. It continued for 10 days running an average of 100 with spikes at 104 followed with horrible chills. No other symptoms other than swollen glands and some strange pains in unmentionable areas. After several doctor visits (an co-pays) later, all my blood levels are finally back to normal and I think I've gotten rid of the infection. I go for my final visit on Tuesday to ensure everything is as it should be and that the lump in my throat has dissipated.

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First Day of School

Kasey started Kindergarten today! My baby is growing up. Before the drop off, there were no thoughts of myself being upset or sad to have my "baby" starting school, but wow... The tears reared their ugly head when I watched him being so independent in his class. It was so unexpected. He is such a momma's boy and secretly I LOVE IT! I eat it up! His teacher is already in love with him and his sense of humor. After all, who can resist lil Kasey? His charisma for life and fascination in small details is so magnetizing.

Gavin started the 4th grade. He too, was so independent. I suppose it's a good thing that my children have the virtue of independence, because it makes life a lot easier to not have them tugging on your leg, however, to be perfectly honest, I'll have to admit that I was a bit shocked to not have them hesitating at all to join their classes. Gavin's spirit is so mild and serene. He will always make a great friend, for he is incapable of peccancy. He is now the big man on campus without his big sister there to reign over him.

Carissa started middle school. WOW! What a dramatic ordeal! She was so nervous. She had everything planned out. She knew exactly the way she would wave high to people, how she would set up her locker. Oh... But I did find out today that we did NOT know the proper hair style for middle school. Apparently flipped layers with swoopy bangs is no longer "in". The proper middle school hair-do is long curled hair! How could we be wrong?

Texas schools require the parents to purchase an entire years worth of supplies in the beginning of the year. You are sent with a list of about 30-40 items for each child to bring on the first day (ie: 2 boxes crayons, 3 boxes markers, 5 packs paper, 16 glue sticks!!!) As you can see from Carissa's picture, it's a massive amount of items to carry on the first day. What happened to using hand-me-down crayons and paints from last year like how I grew up in Cali?

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California Here we Come!

The tickets are booked!!

We will be arriving Tuesday, July 29th in the morning and will be leaving Tuesday, August 12th in the evening.

I can't wait to see everyone! This visit is long overdue!

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Grapevine Festival

Last Saturday was the Grapevine Main St. Days Festival. The kids had so much fun. We went with Sven, Bianca, lil Emmy and Flo. Being from Germany, they were so surprised as to how we cater everything around our children here. It really is great!

The face painting was so much fun. They all choose out their favorite face. Carissa, of course, the pretty yet edgey. Gavin, the scary. And Kasey had to be the green alien. The paintings lasted for quite a while, through all the corny dogs, roasted corn and lemonades. Carissa and Gavin's didn't make it, obviously, through the scuba diving. This was the coolest thing. For only 5 dollars, they got 20 minutes in the pool with full scuba gear. They had to find toys at the bottom of the pool and got to experience the underwater breathing. (Yikes! That's way to scary for me!). Kasey got to bungee since he wasn't old enough to scuba.

We were FRIED by the time we got home, so we jumped in the pool then rushed off to Carissa's Piano Recital! Whew!

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Carissa's First Piano Recital

Carissa began taking piano lessons about six weeks ago. This is her first recital. She did great! She hit every note and on beat!!!

Click the box to activate the movie and let it load for a minute or so before watching.... Works better that way

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Student of the Month!!!

Congratulations Carissa!!! Student of the Month for March / April for the 5th grade. Thsi is a huge feat for her. Hard work and dedication has paid off! Her last report card was 4 A's and 2 B's. (Maybe the bribe of the Nintendo DS had something to do with it, but hey, whatever works)

Click the box to activate the movie and let it load for a minute or so before watching.... Works better that way

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Gavin and Kasey's Belt Test

Gavin and Kasey had their belt test to move from Yellow to Purple belt in Tae Kwon Do. It's always so fun to watch these little kids do these routines and break the boards. Plus, they get a trophy and what is cooler than a trophy???

Click the box to activate the movie and let it load for a minute or so before watching.... Works better that way

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Heart Wrenching, Life Touching Story

Dr. Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture - Life Lessons

Wow! I challenge everyone to take the time to watch the ABC special linked below. This touched my life and truly changed my outlook on life situations. We all at one time have thought that we had a bad day or "why me?" This man's words have changed the way I view my "Challenges".

The Wall Street Journal called it "the lecture of a lifetime" and those who have seen it have more than agreed.

Randy Pausch has terminal pancreatic cancer and has been given a sentence on his life. He has vowed to live everyone of his last days to the fullest and to create beautiful memories for his three children.

One of my favorites quotes from this special is:

"The metaphor I've used is … somebody's going to push my family off a cliff pretty soon, and I won't be there to catch them. And that breaks my heart. But I have some time to sew some nets to cushion the fall. So, I can curl up in a ball and cry, or I can get to work on the nets." - Randy Pausch

I hope to build strong nets for my children so that if anyone ever pushes them off the cliff and I'm not there to catch them, the nets will cushion their fall.

He says... "Everyone has a choice, to be the Eyeore or the Tigger. I choose to be the Tigger."

I have challenged myself to try everyday to be the Tigger for my children and to know that life is precious and to take every moment to the fullest.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/LastLecture/

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The Devil's Swimming Pool (A Piscina do Diabo)

In Zimbabwe , Africa, you will find the magnificent Victoria Falls at a height of 128m. The location is known as "The Devil's Swimming Pool".

During the months of September and December, people can swim as close as possible to the edge of the falls without falling over!

These falls are becoming well known amongst the "radical tourist" industry as more and more people search for the ultimate experience.

Would you dare?

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Dallas Zoo

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The Miracle of Toilet Paper...

HAHAH, Vanessa sent this to me today.... HAHAHA

THE MIRACLE OF TOILET PAPER

Fresh from my shower, I stand in front of the mirror complaining to
my husband that my breasts are too small. Instead of characteristically
telling me it's not so, he uncharacteristically comes up with a
suggestion.

If you want your breasts to grow, then every day take a piece of
toilet paper and rub it between them for a few seconds."

Willing to try anything, I fetch a piece of toilet paper and stand in
front of the mirror, rubbing it between my breasts.

"How long will this take?" I asked.

They will grow larger over a period of years," my husband replies.

I stopped. "Do you really think rubbing a piece of toilet paper
between my breasts every day will make my breasts larger over the years?"

Without missing a beat he says, "Worked for your ass, didn't it?"

He's still alive, and with a great deal of therapy, he may even walk
again, although he will probably continue to take his meals through a
straw.

Stupid, stupid man

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Kasey and Gavin's "Karate" class

The boys are taking a Tae Kwon Do class. Gavin takes it pretty seriously and will most likely move up belts pretty quickly. He's so great about moving smooth and quickley. Kasey on the other hand, this is just a filler for him until football starts. He's more interested in just learning how to punch and kick.

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Grand Prairie Lights

The city of Grand Prairie puts on a big drive thru light show that was a lot of fun for the kids. We pilled up all the kids in the Suburban and the men in Zack's and journied down to Grand Prairie. The kids loved seeing the lights and lil Kasey was so concerned about where are Santa's Reindeer...

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Temporary Insanity

WOW!! I guess it's been a while since my body had some vigorous activity. So I decided that all the pastas, chips and salsa, casseroles and yummy desserts (and the 15 additional lbs) have caused my pants to shrink somehow. So I thought today was the day to start back at the gym so I can stop having to hang dry all my jeans and stretch them while they're wet. (Plus, the muffin top is not my best look)
OH WOW! I thought that I needed to push myself and got the bright idea to do the Aerobics and Abs class (for the first time ever). I'm not sure how I made it out of there. Seriously, it was completely pathetic. My legs and arms were shaking, my heart was pulsating practically out of my chest, I was drenched in sweat and I was starting to see stars, but determination kept me going. For some insane reason, I became madly adamant to finish that class and keep up with the instructor, whether it meant they had to wheel me out on a stretcher or not!! Well, despite my moment of craze, I managed to finish the class, and surprisingly, without the embarrassment of a stretcher. HAHAHAHA Now the big question is... How bad is it going to hurt tomorrow? And do I go back next week????

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Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great this year! The kids had a blast. It was exciting to show J an American Thanksgiving, and our feast was a German, Italian, American Thanksgiving Dinner. The kids made the cutest turkey hats and wore them pridefully.






Carissa wrote a very special message on her board for all the family to see.....

When asked what they were thankful for......

Carissa said she was thankful for a roof over her head (maybe a bit much preaching on my end :-)

Gavin was thankful for family and friends.... Awwww... That's my sweet boy....

And lil Kasey was very proud to say that out of all the things in the "whole wide world", he was "Thankful for MARSHMALLOWS"!

After all..who isn't thankful for marshmallows??

I was thankful for having a great year, a great family, a good job and being able to share all of this with the ones I love!

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