Long time, no post...

It has been quite a while since I have last posted, but I am determined to get back into the habit of posting on a more regular basis.

I received an e-coupon from The Best Blog On the Block for a blog book. I have always wanted to have a printed copy of my blog posts so that I can look back and remember the everyday life that happened while my kids were young. It is all going by so fast that I want to preserve a little bit for later reflection.

So...that e-coupon led to me ordering a blog book, which I received in the mail the other day. Since then I have been re-reading all of my posts and laughing/crying with each entry all over again. This is the real stuff of life. I never want to forget it.

You might see some random posts from various months or events as I attempt to document what has happened these last few months, but even if they are out of order at least I am going to get it documented for memory's sake in the next blog book.

There's nothing like a good ole' coupon to get this girl motivated!!

Happy Birthday Tamara!

A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. ~Isadora James

Today is my sister's birthday. Being 13 months apart, we have always been close friends, and I am thankful that we still are. She is one that with a glance we can tell each other's moods or unspoken feelings, and spent hours on end playing together as kids, doing 'facials' with cucumbers over our eyes, and talking for hours on end.

Times have changed and our busy schedules mean we don't get to talk or see each other as often or for as long as we used to, but the connection is still there. I am proud of my big sis and the wonderful example she is to me and all who know her.

Happy Birthday!!!

P.S. For the record, I'd like to officially apologize for overwhelming you at our wedding. You were the maid of honor, David was a groomsman, H was a flower girl, S was 2 yrs old, E was 3 months old, you had to prepare a toast for the reception, and you and Tabitha sang a song during the ceremony. Now that I have kids of my own, I have a BIG understanding of how MUCH pressure and stress that put on you. I would have gone crazy! Thanks for doing it with poise and grace (even if your dress did tear during the reception while trying to feed E and you had to wear David's jacket to do the toast). You made it look easy! :)

Happy 40th Anniversary!

On September 5th, my parents celebrated 40 years of marriage. What an accomplishment and tribute to selfless dedication and love.

This is one of my favorite pictures of them. It was taken shortly after they started dating (they met on a blind date). I love how they are looking at one another with such trust and love.
Since my parents were going to be spending the night with me after the football games, I wanted to surprise them with a little get-together breakfast to celebrate with them. Boy were they surprised!
The kids had a ball jumping on the trampoline.
We were able to visit with some old friends whom we had not seen in years, and the weather was cool and beautiful! Thanks for coming Bassham family!
The boys made cards for Gram and Grandpa

CDR Family Reunion

Last weekend we went to a family reunion for my Mom's side of the family. We stayed in a lodge on Lake Granbury and had a great time hanging out with cousins and playing games. The rooms all have full kitchens and were very spacious and clean for a good price. There is an enclosed beach with shallow water right next door, so the kids built sandcastles and played in the water while the bigger boys (including the dads) played baseball using a wiffle ball in the sand. I miss my cousins and wish they did not live so far away in Lubbock because we have such as good time when we are together.

Here is a breakdown of who came:
GG (the Matriarch)
Daughter C
Daughter D and her husband
Son R and his wife
Granddaughter K with her husband and 2 of 3 kids
Granddaughter M with her husband and 3 kids
Granddaughter K with her husband and 2 kids
Granddaughter T with her husband and 4 girls
Granddaughter S (Me!) with her husband and 3 boys
Granddaughter T with her 2 boys
Granddaughter W with her husband and baby on the way


My mom organized several games for us to play, including a pass-the-balloon over/under relay, a yo-yo contest, a Reunion Queen contest, and a family history bingo game. The kids had a blast just hitting the balloons all over the place.

What family reunion would not be complete without a buffet of food? We had a big lunch in a large room that we rented from the hotel. To make things easy, we had leftover buffet for dinner and called it "Re-Buff".

My sister W, her husband J, and me stuffing our faces (they will have a little one at next year's reunion - I can't wait!).

My cousin M, sisters T and T, brother-in-law D, and cousin-in-law L

My husband M with cousin-in-laws B and M, and cousin's daughter S

Little cousins everywhere!

Wrestle-mania!

The balloon relay


The Reunion Queen

The yo-yo contest (we saw some pretty fancy yo-yo moves by M, my cousin's husband, but ultimately my dad won out).

Our crazy family!