a weak moment...an awwww moment.

Every night when Madison crawls into bed, Jack and I gather around her, we all join hands and say our prayers.

We say our group prayer, "No I Lay me Down to Sleep" first, and then Jack leads us in a more personal prayer.

During our prayers, Bella faithfully sets in the middle of our circle as if she is joining in. Really, she's just staring up at Madi's bed, silently begging (using just a pitiful, pouting look and pleading eyes) to join her best buddy.

A few nights ago we had a weak moment and allowed Bella to sleep with Madi - ON her bed. Madi was SO excited and Bella was in doggie heaven for sure.

We were a little apprehensive, thinking that Bella would keep Madi up all hours of the night or that Madi would be pushed off her own bed onto the floor. Bella is a bed hog, she moves around a lot and pushes you with all four of her legs to get more room...she's entitled ya know.

The next morning, I walked into Madi's room to wake her up for school and this is what I found....

What an awwww moment!

Bella has been Madi's live stuffed animal for three nights now and I think we've spoiled them both at this point and that there is NO going back! We might regret this later (Bella may get even more entitled) but, for now, we enjoy the happiness these two get from their snuggle time. We also enjoy the awwww moments!

what we've witnessed...

We still have our benificial-bug-eating friend, the Green Lynx Spider, residing in our Okra plants. Thus, we have Okra growing that look like this....

Which is WAY too big! You can't eat them at this size because they become dried-out, tough and when you cook them, it's like eating bark. But, due to the fact that both Jack and I are frightened witless at the prospect of killing this freaky predator, we have tons of overgrown Okra growing. Not good! But, if you witnessed what we've witnessed, then you'd be frightened too!

I mean, for crying out loud, they eat wasps!! wasps!

This could happen to us! Scary thought really.

espressO martini

OK, so I'm a COFFEEHOLIC! Right, we all know this...so, when I ran across this espresso inspired cocktail, I knew that I had to make it and I had to share it! I haven't made it yet (waiting till Friday night) so, I'm not positive that it's fantastic but, it sounds like it is! Just as I love coffee, I love to share! So here it is; Espresso Martini 1/3 cup coffee-flavored liqueur, Kahlua 1/4 cup vanilla vodka 2 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream 1/4 teaspoon espresso powder Sounds YUMMO, right?? Well, here's a picture to go along with it... ...it's not mine tho' - this Picture was found here. If you make one, let me know! and maybe take a picture????

a pile up...

We really should write more often! Or at least write when there is something to write about because otherwise the stories and pictures just pile up. Then, I have to spend hours trying to attach the dozens of pictures that go along with all the piled up stories! Perfect example - this post!

Lets start by going back a few weeks to when our nephew, Jason, played in his first middle school football game. His first game was on Tues., Sept. 22, 2009 - which just so happened to be his Mom's birthday. I think that was a great gift for my sister, Gennie, on her special day!

Here's just a few of the two dozen pictures I took of that game.

~Number 63

~He's there somewhere

~Hanging with us during half-time

~After the game

Jason did really well and his team won. Go Cavaliers! We are so proud of him for making the team and for all the effort he is putting into being a good player. He has a game tomorrow night against the middle school he attended last year. So, he has made this his own personal rivalry and has asked us to be there to watch. We are looking forward to it! It's suppose to rain so, it should be interesting. Speaking of football, the past few weeks have been really good for Jack and his team, Notre Dame. The games have been serious nail-biters but, they've pulled through with a win three weekends in a row!! Nice job Irish! Thanks for keeping my hubby happy!

This past Friday Madison participated in the Swim Belton Relays hosted by her club swim program. It was just for fun and only her swim team from Swim Belton competed. The relay included a doggie-paddle race which was really fun to watch! Madison and her team won all five of the relay events so,it was a shut-out!! Madi looked great in the water and we were beaming with pride. The best part is that Madison had a blast! She loved participating and we loved watching. It was a fun evening for us all.

~Swim Belton Center

~Swimmers lined up for the relays. Madi is in the white cap and black googles.

~Madi

~Maggie & Madi celebrating

Then on Saturday, Jack, Madi and I loaded up and drove to Houston, TX, for a visit with Taylor, Lindsey and Jackson. Wow! Jackson has grown a lot since he and Lindsey's visit here just a few short weeks ago! The chubby-cheeked-cuteness hasn't changed one bit though, as you will see in the pictures below! He is almost six months old and is a total joy! Jack was able to spend a lot of time holding Jackson, playing with Jackson and trying to entertain Jackson; which made him even more hopeful for a baby of our own! I can't lie, it made me want a baby even more than I did before! As for Madison, she enjoyed her visit with Jackson so much that when we left she informed us that she wants a baby brother now. Cute.

I, of course, took tons of pictures and even though every one is super-cute and worth sharing, I can't sit here all night loading them! So, here are a few of my favorites from the weekend.

Madi & Jackson

How cute is this?! Now, this is a happy baby! Jack & Jackson Aren't I cute? Lindsey & Jackson ...AND MY VERY FAVORITE! This is sure to be Cami & Johnny Dad's favorite too.........

I want to write an update on the sad state of our garden and the things we will be doing with it in the near future. I also want to share something I think is pretty awesome happening in our back yard. But, I will wait and post later this week. I can't possibly fit one more picture in this post.

Hope you have a great week!

a week full of good things...

This has been a good week for our family, which was much needed after Notre Dame's heartbreaking loss (poor Jack, he was feeling the pain big time!)this past weekend. First, Jack and his colleagues won a chance at more work on a new contract in his job, which is great news because it can potentially keep them all employed! So, good news for Jack, he may still have a job after this year! And Jack, finally got the T.V back from the repair shop. This is huge because now he can watch Notre Dame football on the big screen because for some reason unknown to me, it just wasn't the same on the small set. Well, at least I don't have to hear that anymore.

Madison came home with her three-week progress report yesterday (I can't believe it's that time already) and currently, she has all A's! Yay Madi! She made a 100 in her Math and her P.E. class and has 99's in two other classes! Madi is great at math, unlike her mom! Come October, she will be tutoring me in my college algebra class. Anyway, her lowest grade was a 95 so, her hard work is paying off. We made a big deal of it but, also told her that the first three weeks are the easiest and that it will only get harder from here. We want her to know she is doing awesome but, that she has to continue to keep her positive attitude and continue to work hard to keep her grades where they are.

Also, Madison has been practicing the butterfly all week at swim practice. It's the hardest swim stroke for her and her least favorite. However, she has been first in her group all week. That's just fantastic. We are so proud of our girl!

As for me, I made it through my first speech in my Public Speaking class without passing out. This is HUGE for me because I'm very quiet, I don't like to be around (and definately not in front) of a lot of people, I don't like attention...if I'm being honest, I don't even like to be looked at. So, being up in front of 25 or so fellow students, all eyes looking at me, having to talk about myself, was not easy for me. But, I did it and I made an A! Honestly, I have to credit the other students, they we very supportive and laughed at all my corny little jokes. They really made me feel at ease.

Okay, so when I said this week has been good for "everyone",I wasn't including our four legged kid, Beans (Bella). Jack and I have caught her eating the cats' food serveral times this week. This is something she just started doing and she is now obsessed with their food. Even when there is no food in the bowls, she patrols the area around and takes a big sniff and glances in the direction of the bowls real quickly so that she doesn't get caught. She will head toward the cat bowl next to her water dish and if she hears us stop talking, walk toward her or start to tell her NO, she darts for her water dish trying to fake us out! She's a brat!

Madi & Bella Good & Evil

However, the best part of our week and what made a good week a great week, was a visit from our sister-in-law Lindsey and nephew Jackson....

They came out for a few days to visit with mom and dad Johnston and Jack, Madi and I took advantage of the oppurtunity to spend time with them. We really enjoyed their visit and the chance to be around this handsome chubby-cheeked sweetheart!

I, of course, got lots of pictures....

Jackson setting in the Bean Bag watching the Baby Einsteins... ...which he is seriously into.

In his Jumper.

Madison showing Jackson a book

Eating...look at that face, and those beautiful blue eyes!

Camille, Lindsey, Jackson and I went looking for a Halloween costume for Jackson. He liked the lion alright but, he didn't like the chicken.

Cousins ~ Madi and Jackson. Madi loved being around Jackson. She thinks he's "soooo cute!"

and of course Jack and I LOVED every second with this cutie!

Go ahead...I know you're thinking it - AWWWWW!!

saturdays in the fall...

Image via Wikipedia

As my lovely wife hinted at in her earlier post, I wanted to take a few minutes to post an update on my beloved and newly respected Irish. Last week the boys surprised me with a shut-out of a Nevada team that had a few weapons of their own on offense. Notre Dame's defense perfected the bend but don't break approach despite seemingly blitzing someone on every down. On offense, I thought that we looked as good as advertised and seemed to have not missed a beat from the performance against Hawaii in the bowl game last year. Unfortunately, I still wasn't blown away with our ability to run the ball at will or to stifle our opponents rushing attack. Nevada has three 1,000 yard + rushers on their team but, I guess I am nitpicking quite a bit to hope that we would keep them from gaining any yards. I guess that's part of being a fan for some of us. I definitely have a huge chip on my shoulder when it comes to outsiders criticizing my team (that often includes family, Dad) but, I deep down really do expect perfection...on every single snap. Of course, as a true Notre Dame fan, I also expect my boys to win every single game. Yes, that's right, every single game. Even though a part of me is realistic enough to know that many times, this is unlikely, there is another part of me that thinks, no matter what, no matter who, no matter where, the Irish can and should beat these guys! Lou Holtz isn't the only one to suffer from these delusions. So, our opening game left me feeling like the team looks to be about where they should be but, this week is Michigan in the Outhouse (Bighouse). In the interest of not offending anyone, I won't go into much of what I think about Michigan's program. I also hate to blast them, and then set my team up for failure. You see, I'm also ridiculously superstitious when it comes to my Irish. I'll say this, anything can happen when these two teams get together and the underdog wins more often than not, of late. I'm not at all sure what we'll see today from either team. Michigan definitely looked better than last year, seems to have a lot of speed and should be able to run the ball on our defense, unless they totally surprise me (I hope!). I think we'll be pretty good at defending the pass with their freshmen quarterbacks and our experienced secondary. I think it will likely come down to whether or not our offense has improved as much as I hope they have. If our line gives Clausen time to get the ball out to his receivers and we are able to run the ball effectively to keep Michigan from sitting back in pass coverage, we should be alright. In fact, if all these things happen, I don't think Michigan can stay in the game with us. But, I'm just not real sure how much of this will fall into place for us against Michigan on the road. Honestly, it is now or never for this team, in my opinion. I will leave you with a Michigan story. It was earlier September. The year was, 1994. Notre Dame spent the offseason before recovering from being robbed of the National Championship after beating the number 1 ranked Florida State Criminoles head to head. I was a freshman and already swept up in the craze of Irish football. I was fortunate enough to attend my first ever home football game in Notre Dame stadium against Michigan. Both teams were highly ranked and the game had National implications. We were coming of a road win against Northwestern and the game went back and forth. Notre Dame trailed late in the fourth quarter when Ron Powlus threw a pass into the endzone, right in front of the student section and Derrick Mayes made an unbelievable one-handed catch. We went ballistic! I thought, this is what Notre Dame football is!!!! With only seconds left on the clock, Michigan took the kickoff, a few quick completed passes against our prevent defense and marched their kicker out to kick a game-winning last second field goal. I thought, this is what Notre Dame football is???? The love began for me that day and so did the pain. Neither has been far from the other for these past 15 years. So, I pray that when the scoreboard reads zero later today, it will also read: Notre Dame 100, Michigan 0. But, I'll take 30-14 and a continued break from the pain. If any of you would like to check out a really great blog all about Notre Dame football created and maintained by a team of talented writers who know what they are talking about and also often have lots of great pictures and videos, check out The Blue-Gray Sky.

Green Lynx Spider

A few weeks ago, while doing some weeding and trimming to our tomato plants, my hand almost landed on this...

Which totally freaked me out! I usually don't get freaked out by spiders but, this spider, with it's weird lime green body and weird translucent type legs, made my skin crawl. Honestly, it was pretty intimidating looking.

Of course I got out my camera (which, after finding so many neat-o things like the Eastern Tailed Blue and the Tomato Hornworm, is always with me when I go out to the garden) and took a few pictures of it. I decided to leave it alone because spiders are beneficial for gardens but, I didn't continue weeding or trimming near it or the tomato plants, I decided to move on and give it a little space...and me a little peace of mind.

So, I moved on to our Okra plants, which have been doing fantastic for a few months now. I usually pick ten to a dozen Okra each morning. We let them pile up and when we have enough we have fried okra.

Yes, I really did take pictures of our fried Okra!

So anyway, I started moving toward the Okra plant and almost immediately noticed this....

Another one of these spiders hanging from an Okra bloom...

But, this one was having one of these for lunch... A beneficial bee!!

Here's a closer look...

Wow, right?

Bee's, like spiders, are beneficial insects so, I was sad to see this. I'd rather the spiders eat the non-beneficial insects, which there are plenty of, and NOT the beneficial ones!

I googled "lime green spider" and had no problem finding information on these freaks. They are called, Green Lynx Spiders and supposedly, they can run very fast and they jump on their pray like a cat. Yikes! I can't imagine what my reaction would have been if one of these spiders would have jumped on me but, I'm sure it would have been bad for me and comical for anyone who might have been watching.

The site I found on the Green Lynx Spider (which you can also view by clicking on Green Lynx Spider which is in black text in the paragraph above) said that they are, "Known to be important predators of field crop-damaging insects. However, their usefulness in the control of insect pests is counteracted by their willingness also to prey upon beneficial insects." So, I'm thinking these Bee killers have to GO! But, since my encounter with the Tomato Hornworm, it's now Jack's duty to kill whatever weird non-beneficial things that pop up. I guess Jack's squeamish too because these spiders are still residing in our Okra plants. Oh well, I was getting sick of fried Okra anyway.