Happy 5

Yep, it is hard to believe that it has been five years. Rusty and I had our 5th wedding anniversary on Friday. Rusty stepped up his game....he called the wedding cake lady and had her make a cake (yep, it looked exactly like our cake) for a surprise. We went for our usual dinner at Stoney River. Love that place.

Our wedding cake


the cake that Rusty got for our 5 year


red roses from Rusty


Mom and Dad had the flowers at church in our name. Love red gerber daisies too!


A pic of the wedding party

Trying to keep up with Heather

So my friend Heather is ridiculously creative. She has twins and they are always going places and doing cute things which makes us not creative folks look like such under achievers. Well this is my attempt to try to do something halfway Heather like (gobble, gobble).....

This is what happens when you have an older sister........

pink hand me down pjs, pink lawn mower on a pink mat- awesome!

Just some pics...

a few of the kiddos hanging outside





she is trouble

just thought this was cute

This makes it looked like she actually played soccer (spent most of the time talking really...)


Hanging with the boys at soccer

catching up...again

Here is a brief summary of what has been going on.....
Frances 0 - Powder 1





Frances and Ansley started soccer. If you click on Christine's link (Crutchfield)
you can see pics. I do have a cute video that I will post this week.

Thomas got a hair cut. My little man looks like such a big boy. It is so easy because he gets them at school.





Random pic of the boys (thomas and his cousin james)




Rusty and I also headed to San Antonio and then to Austin for his cousin's wedding. We stayed on the river walk and had the best margaritas. Good people watching. Austin was a lot of fun too. The wedding weekend was great. It rained the whole time (except for about 30 minutes before the outside wedding started and then the rest of the wedding night- I mean you couldn't ask for anything better - it also kept it cool). We even ran a 5K in Austin in the rain. One thing the wedding reminded us was how old we were. I mean we go to bed early and when the second part of the rehearsal dinner is when folks head out to 6th street after 9 (yep, no way we did that). I just remember when we used to nap and head out until like 10 or 11, wow-not so much anymore.

Another reason why we are old are the next two photos. Yep, I am blogging about a fridge. I hated the old fridge. It was awful. You couldn't put anything on the left side or bottom drawer because they would freeze (I don't mean like a cup with a little left, I mean like a gallon milk). So, again, I know I am old and a new fridge is awesome.................

the old

the new



I also took Frances to get her Halloween outfit (we actually will be missing it this year because we are at a wedding so they will be at my folks). I know they already watch Thomas two days a week, grab the kids from school at least a few times a week, take the kids to the doc sometimes when we can't, feed us every Sunday after church and.......basically everything.... at least they will be able to trick-or-treat where we use to. Here is Miss Frances

Just watch...

a fun weekend

We had a busy and very fun weekend. We started off by going to dinner Friday. Yes, we are slightly addicted to Dagwoods pizza and have been there quite a bit the last few weeks. We live about 7 minutes from Christine and Bob and Dagwoods is right in the middle. Saturday Rusty was out playing golf so I packed up the kiddos and we headed over to the park up the road to watch my cousin play softball. For those of you that don't know, my cousin lives at a place called Just People. They have a ton of different activities and softball is in season right now. It is so fun to watch! My cousin's team basically slides into any base whenever possible and if someone gets a hit you know that they will be rounding the bases. Good times. We came home and grabbed naps and then off to Kate's b-day at the gym. She is the granddaughter of Debbie (my boss when I first started at Cingular). Kate was turning 2 and she has a sister, Caroline, who is Frances' age. The kids loved it. Thomas could jump off everything and couldn't get hurt because everything was padded. Since I was chasing two, I wasn't paying as close as attention and she said her stomach hurt. So I know the drill, grab her and run!(just kidding). She only barfed a little. She just needed to cool off and then she was eating cake. (yep- high maintenance kids I have to watch ). Then off to Christine and Bob's to watch football with them and Alex. Sunday was just church and off to Los Rancheros with the Crutchfields. Count down to football season....

Frances

Ok, there have been many nights that I have gone to check on Frances or mornings to wake her up and I pull back the covers......and she has shoes on or shoes and socks. Her new thing is that she doesn't want to sleep in pjs. She told me that you wear socks with tennis shoes and you need to pull your socks all the way up. I snapped a pic this morning. The picture is when she was going to the store with her daddy (she wanted to wear the sneakers and again I am not arguing with a three year old).

The countdown begins....

I wish I was talking about football, but the last union contract deadline is Sat Night/Sunday Morning (we have all been trained for our contigency assignments). I love to start my week getting a call at Midnight to tell me if I have to go into work or not. The first contract was up in April and a few more followed, but this is the last one. The only contract that appears to have settled is the Midwest. I am going to be one ticked off individual if there is a strike and it lasts any length of time. I don't have time to work 10+ hours a day for 6 days (isn't that nice that we get one day off, but much better than the alternative- an older post shows what assignment I was originally given). Of course, it is right when I have the pulmonologist appt for the kids. Anyway, I guess I should listen to the advice Frances gave me "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit". Nothing like taking advice from a 3 year old.

In other news, T got a haircut today (usually I cut his hair, but grandma had some time and took him in) he looks like such a cute little man!

Here are pics of the kids playing their new favorite game (they found the golden tee). Thomas even points to where the button is for Rusty to turn it on.


bizzle loves his minnie purse

Miss Manners

So we have explained to Frances how important it is to ask nicely for things and not to whine. (A little background about the week) Thomas' ears are still bothering him a little (my little emotional train wreck) so occasionally at night he is waking up screaming + Frances who is still recovering from the beginning of the week = not much sleep for mommy (daddy is able to sleep though it all). Anyway, about 4:30 (yep, you know when you only have like an hour to sleep and it is such an important time), I hear her asking in the nicest way possible for me to come in there (as the parent of the year, I would normally yell down the hall that it wasn't morning and to go back to bed, but I felt that was not the right thing and went to her room and she asked "may i have some juice" -are you freakin kidding me.

another day...

Another day.. and of course the kids are sick. I basically should stop writing about it because all I talk about is sick kids. Frances barfed Friday. Rusty went to get her at school (thank goodness she barfed on him at the school and not in his car- i mean the car still smells new and he has had it for a few months). I basically have been in the car like 4 times because we always have the kids with us so we always cruise in the mini van. Anyway, Thomas has an ear infection and Frances still has a fever. She is complaining that her cheeks hurt, I am hoping that means she is teething, but I have no idea... any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Rusty was home with T on Friday when I took Frances to the doctor. He said that he kept saying more, but Rusty couldn't figure out what he wanted. He started signing milk (luckily rusty has seen meet the folkers (no idea if that is how you spell it) so he understood). funny stuff.

Updating the blog...

Ok, I have fallen behind a bit. Just same old, same old. Right now Frances just got over the barfs and T has an ear infection and some eye junk. Hopefully his won't turn into breathing issues so we are watching him. I would think Bizzle may end up with tubes. I need to get pictures of Frances new room that she will be starting in August. It is just slightly ridiculous. There are three bathrooms and a fort in the room. I am not even going to start to describe the playground...you need to see pics. Anyway, here are some pics of the kids. One more note- I don't know why I do these things, but the dining room has wallpaper that I am sick of. I don't know why we didn't get rid of it when we moved in since we had the painters take care of the basement and that was the only room on the main level with wallpaper. Anyway, I am done with it so I got the brilliant idea that I should paint it. The wallpaper appears to be on pretty well so my first attempt will be to paint over....if that is a disaster, I will be back to square one and I am assuming I will be bringing in the painters. We'll see.

Ok, I did a pretty good job keeping up with Frances' first year scrapbook as well as putting her pics in the frame in a timely fashion...


Thomas' pics... it took me almost a year from when I took them to frame them and I am almost done with his first year scrapbook :)


having a little fun with peanut butter....



little man likes to climb on everything


just thought he looked cute


again, little man (w/short legs) likes to climb up things




t is like his folks and is typing on his blackberry



The before of the dining room



Thought I should at least have one pic of miss frances

nothing much

A usual week for the Grant household. Frances got a 12 hour stomach bug, but we are actually all well for the weekend and will probably hang at the pool. I did find a few good deals this week.

The Pottery Barn Kids next to us is closing down and so everything was 65% off. I found a few things that were missing a piece or two so they were even cheaper. Here is my best find. I paid $1.97 for these three pieces, little did I know that the receipt would be the biggest hit for Thomas (I mean he played with it for a while and then the next day too).





By the way, I bought Frances a microphone this week (just a $2 one nothing fancy) and she sings as well as just talks into it. It may not have been my best decision. I will try to get some video so you can get an idea.....

Because everyone needs a good laugh on a Monday....

Alright, I already told you about the first assignment that I had for this potential strike. I basically had to give them Frances to get out of it, but I was able to make a change. Here is what I was going to have to go do in Indiana (I would have 12 hours once the strike is called to get there and I would be able to come home one weekend every three weeks). Enjoy.....

The I&R 2 Technician is a customer-facing position (yep, i definitely should be talking to the customer and telling them exactly what is wrong and how i will fix it :) )whose work includes: installation and repair of:

· Plain-Old-Telephone-Service (POTS)

· Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

· Fiber to the Premise (FTTP)



The I&R 2 Technician's job would range from greeting the customer to explaining billing charges. You will become familiar with basic electrical theory and its application to our business. In whole, you will understand how POTs, DSL and FTTP service works and is delivered.

You will utilize the Intelligent Field Device (IFD) for performing numerous tasks, including dispatching and closing a job and running multiple testing functions. You will interpret an Installation Service Order and Repair Maintenance Ticket. You will use the Mechanized Loop Test (MLT), which plays an important role in the day of the life of an I&R 2 Technician. You will also utilize the ‘Sidekick’ and ‘TS-44’ for many of the basic troubleshooting (I took some of this training and basic is not my level- it took me forever to be able to read/translate the info much less understand what the heck they were saying) and installation functions you will execute throughout your day.

Some I&R 2 Technicians may spend long periods of time in cramped areas (sounds awesome), such as CEV huts and manholes (not happening), usually working alone (who would call 911 for me then). In some cases, I&R 2 Technicians may be required to climb ladders and poles. You may be required to handle items weighing 26-60 pounds (test equipment, manhole covers, etc). You will be required to wear safety glasses, a safety helmet, heeled boots and appropriate safety attire, as necessary. You may be required to drive a company vehicle (how frightening is that- i mean if i don't die getting the ladder off the truck, imagine me trying to put it back on the truck).

The expectations (go ahead and lower them off the bat)for you in this role are diverse and challenging in this high profile customer service facing assignment at their home or business. Our customers expect you, the AT&T professional, to provide resolutions to their HSIA (High Speed Internet Access) service issue or accurate installation of their new service. Each day will be unique with a new set of work assignments and performed at different locations. The key will be for you to achieve outstanding customer satisfaction at every opportunity. Remember to always keep the customer informed of what you are doing, ensure they are satisfied, and always perform your work safely.

update

okay, i chatted with my neighbor and basically her 17 year old was being a stupid 17 year old with his friends. they decided to lay down a line of gas to light and then jump their bikes over.....brilliant. so they lit the match and it stopped half way so they poured more gas, you get the pic. when the flames got high they put water on it...again brilliant. at that point, one of the neighbors (who i am guessing was watching all of this)called the firemen. they were there forever because they didn't like the kids' response and so they brought in the arson specialist to scare them some more. good times.

Awesome

Lots going on... As a big dork- I went to the New Kids concert on Thursday (I know awesome), Friday Rusty and I went out to see one of his friend's band play and actually met up with some folks we haven't been out with in a while. Saturday was a big day of getting to Costco when it opened (Frances barfed on the way, but luckily we have a barf bucket on hand and she has great aim) and then over to Christine and Bob's for dinner. Off to church on Sunday and that wrapped up the weekend. Thomas has an ear infection, but it wouldn't be a normal week if I didn't head off to the doc.
Right now I am looking at the fire truck in front of my house. Before I begin this story, let me give you an idea of my neighborhood, basically if you do anything someone sees you and therefore everyone knows. The good thing is your neighbors are always watching out for you. So it appears that my neighbor's 16 year old son and a few of his friends decided to try to deep fry something (I don't know the whole story, but I am sure I will hear it at Bunco tomorrow- I know huge geek again). The fire truck has been there for quite a while now. Three firemen came over and kicked over the bucket, got out the fire extinguisher, and sand to clean up the mess. Good times. Linda was not home and I don't know how long it took for the news to spread to the tennis courts, but obviously not too long.....anyway right now she is having a "chat" with the kids and the fire department. Can't wait to see what really happened.

All I can say is really............

Ok, today started out business as usual until I got an email from one of the Director's of Sales and our Regional Manager with an issue with one of the retail stores. Get this- AT&T (Formerly Bellsouth) disconnected our phone service from our AT&T Mobility store. Yep, AT&T cut off AT&T service to their own store. Awesome. They were also told they couldn't have their original numbers because they would have to set up new service. After dealing with billing as well as customer service (Yep, had to pay a new $500 deposit). It was turned on. The rep was able to place the ticket and call to the other side of the house to get it turned on immediately. Nope, not the end of the story- 4 hours later they cut it off again. I mean really! Luckily I had taken the guys internal info and could quickly get back to a rep. It seems they didn't override one thing in the system when they originally fixed all the lines they had turned off and because it was done so quickly it defaulted to their original estimated date of activation and would have automaticaly come back on the 2nd. It appears they got it right this time.......my fingers are still crossed. I guess this is definitely more exciting then dealing with leases, but who knows what will happen tomorrow.

Busy, busy

Rusty was a rock star last Friday so he and his band played down at East Andrews. Saturday we actually had a date night. We felt like adults (we took Rusty's car and went out for a nice dinner). I mean we usually just have to take the mini van and go to dinner at like 5:30. Thanks Kelley for hanging with the kiddos.

For the Holiday Weekend, we started Friday going out to dinner with my folks, my sister (Terri) and two of her girls were in town for my niece's graduation. Saturday we packed up the kids and ran over to Aunt Anne's house to celebrate some of Rusty's cousins' graduation. The kids love their house and had fun running around. We went home so the kids could nap and I went to pick up my sister, mom, and the girls so we could go to the mall. I came home to rescue Rusty (it is a fact that T is a momma's boy and tends to give his daddy a hard time). Sunday we ran to church and then on to my brother's house to celebrate my niece's graduation from high school. The kids had a blast playing outside and Frances went in the pool (Thomas has a great time eating a lot of watermelon). Since the kiddos get up so early we went over to my folks to hang before everyone headed back to Florida (yep, they were leaving early- 8 o'clock- it was nice when that was early). We actually made it to a neighborhood function. We took the wagon down to the pool for a b-b-que. Our pool was pretty packed (I guess the thought of burgers and a keg appeals to folks). As parents of the year, we fed Thomas a bag of doritos and more watermelon (I mean whatever keeps him happy). Back home for naps and then we went over to the Dills for the kids to play (it is nice having them in the neighborhood).

Pics from Frances' B-day