Impromptu Praise Time

The kids and I spend so much time in the car going back and forth to activities, that we usually talk, or they watch a movie, or read. Tonight, however, on the way to take Emma to ballet it was different. I had in the new CD from our church band. The kids were so cute....clapping and singing Sing, Sing, Sing. It warmed my heart to hear their sweet little voices singing out to Jesus. I am so grateful that our children know Jesus, in a way that Marcelo and I didn't as children. Although we went to church, it was not very interactive for us. I am so amazed at how much my kids know, and that they truly have a relationship with Jesus. If there is ever a wonderful gift to Jesus, it is those sweet little voices singing out! Happy Birthday Jesus!

My Best Christmas Present

As a mother, my job is to raise good kids - thoughtful, caring, unselfish, good kids. I feel as though Marcelo and I are getting through to them!!! Back in the end of November, about when all the silly, materialistic Christmas stuff starts coming out, we started discussing with the kids what they would like from Santa this year. We go to Colorado to ski and spend Christmas, so the kids do not receive any additional presents from us. Our gift is the trip, skiing, and most of all the gift of our uninterrupted time. It is a great present for all of us, and we wouldn't want to spend Christmas any other way. It is my favorite trip of the year!

Anyhow, the kids couldn't really come up with anything they wanted or needed. We discussed how awesome that is - to live a life where you have all you need, and most of what you want. The church we go to does a lot around the community and the world, and they have also been discussing this concept with the kids. So Emma and I are sitting in the car one day shortly after these conversations about Santa gifts, and she says to me, "You know what I really, really want for Christmas Mommy? I want to help someone else, even if that means I don't get anything." I practically started crying right then and there. Then I discussed what Emma said with Nicholas and Dylan, and they agreed and got really excited about making money to help buy presents for someone. Could I ever ask for more wonderful children, or a more wonderful Christmas present??? We have always done things for others at Christmas, but this time it came from them on their own.

Long story short, we ended up adopting a family from church that has a 10 year old girl, and then boys that are 8 and 4. God works in strange ways, considering that Emma was the mastermind of this idea and the family has a 10 year old girl. However, this family has a particular struggle - the 10 year old girl has brain cancer. Her name is Allison. Please pray for her. She needs healing and for the tumor to be reduced. The surgery they need to do is extremely risky. Please pray for strength for her family, and for her brothers to feel loved and not left out. We started out trying to bless someone else by sharing Christmas, and we have definitely been more blessed ourselves!





We are off to Colorado on Thursday (the kids and I), and Marcelo is joining us next week. I will blog from Colorado with pics once Marcelo gets there with the laptop. Please pray for safe travel for the kids and I....this is my first solo venture in winter up there! I hope that everyone has a blessed and wonderful Christmas. Don't get caught up in the presents.....enjoy your family, your kids, and remember Jesus. He is our greatest blessing!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Happy Birthday to my amazing husband Marcelo who is 39 (& holding!) today! You are my life, my world, and my better half. God has blessed us with you for a husband and father - what a blessing you are! We love you more than you know. So long 38.....let's hope 39 is a fantastic year!

It's Snowing!

It didn't stick, it lasted about an hour, but this is Texas so we'll take it! It happened right before the kids got out of school.....so there was a lot of excitement when they were released. I'm so grateful it happened when they could enjoy it! One week from now my kids will be knee deep in the snow in Breckenridge....this was a nice little trial run to get us all excited!

What a Weekend!!

Emma and her party brother!

Yuriko and Jared from the American Ballet Theatre - the guest artists

Five shows later, Emma's first Nutcracker experience is over. She is very sad it is over and wished it lasted for a few weeks. It was a fantastic weekend. Emma was a girl for 3 shows and a boy for the other 2. I worked backstage a few times, and got to watch it with everyone on Saturday night out front. Emma even got to come out and watch Act II. The guest artists from the ABT were amazing. Emma was so excited to be in the same show with artists of that caliber. However, I will say that we had some pretty fantastic ballerinas from HRB as well. The Snow Queen was awesome! It is really cool to see what Emma is working so hard to become. I have no doubt that one day we will be watching her on a big stage somewhere in all of the major ballets!

Emma was thrilled to have so much family come to watch her perform - that is a rare treat for her! We are guessing that in a year or two we might have a Clara on our hands......

Emma as a Nutcracker Party Girl / Party Boy

Marcelo got the chance to snap a few photos at dress rehearsal.....isn't Emma cute as a boy??? Last night was her debut performance. She was so excited and enjoyed being on stage tremendously! I only got to see from the wings of the stage, but tonight I get to watch from the audience. I can't wait!

2 Days and Counting.....

until Emma's Nutcracker debut!!!!

Perspective

A friend sent this.....check it out!

I am Thankful!

This Thanksgiving, I am so thankful for so much.

I am thankful for my beautiful family - my loving husband and each of my kids. I adore all of you and can't imagine my life without each one of you. You fill my heart and my life and it is my honor to take care of all of you!

I am thankful for our health. Not one day goes by that I take that for granted.

I am thankful for my parents and for our relationship with them. We love you and you are the best grandparents ever!

I am thankful for my awesome Grandmother, who at 91 is still flying out to see us. I am so grateful that we get to spend Thanksgiving together. She is truly one of the great role models in my life!

I am thankful for all of our extended family, for their health, all of their blessings, and for a year of healing after the passing of my father-in-law.

Thank you God for this last year. You have taught me so much (even when I didn't want to learn!) and carried us through some rough times. You also blessed us with some amazing times. We have grown so much in You, individually, and as a family. Thank you for each day. I am thankful!

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Sugar Plum Tea and Shootings.....

It was another busy weekend around the Conde household! The boys had a tournament this weekend. They played 2 games on Friday night - they won one and lost the other. They got Saturday off, but Miss Emma had Nutcracker rehearsal. Today, the boys had another game and won. While they were at the ball fields, Emma and I attended our first Mother/Daughter Sugar Plum Tea. Her dance studio puts this on to raise money for their Nutcracker Production. The characters dressed in their beautiful costumes and visited us during the tea party. It was a wonderful sight, and made us even more excited for Emma's big performance 2 weeks from now! Here are some great photos from today.

Emma and her friends

Emma with the Arabian Dancer and Dew Drop

Emma with one of her favorites, the beautiful Snow Queen

Obviously, with the Nutcracker!

Emma with a Snowflake

So our plan was to finish up at the Sugar Plum Tea and go watch the boys' semifinal game for their tournament. The tournament was not being held in the best part of town....a common hazard playing baseball in and around Houston! Anyhow, Marcelo texts me at the tea to let me know the tournament was cancelled. Apparently, there was a shooting at the basketball courts in the park the tournament was being held in. How scary! We pray that the person shot recovers fully and that the one who did it is brought to justice. This was their last tournament of the Fall season.....and they were quite disappointed to have it end this way. What a day!!!

Seasons

The thing I love about life is that there are seasons. The thing I hate about life is that there are seasons.

I love the concept that where I am is not where I will be in the future - that there will be growth and change, hopefully maturity and depth. I love to look back and see what I have learned and how I have become a better version of me. It also excites me to know that, hopefully, I will continually evolve in the future. Boy is that a struggle sometimes!

On the other hand, changing seasons means that there are times when life is not so fun, when my outlook is not so positive and my walk with God is vague and dim and not what it should be. In those times, I know in my heart that it is just a season and God wants to show me something. But, it doesn't feel so hot and I get really bogged down. I find myself trying to make the season pass - how funny is that? I try to get in whatever posture I need to be in to learn whatever I need to learn just so it will be over. As if I can hurry up the season.

Then, I realize I have no more control over the seasons of life than I do the seasons of nature. God is working and if it is winter, I just need to trust that He is creating something that I can't see - and Spring, close or far, is coming.

One of these days I will learn to let go and let Him be in control. God has always been there, through all of my seasons, good and bad. If you are in a tough season, hang in there. If you are in a good one, enjoy every minute of it!

Welcome to the world Daniel!

My cousin Ryan and Margaret had their baby on Wednesday night after a rough delivery. He is here and he is healthy and beautiful. They are all recovering....we can't wait to meet him!


It made me think of the day all my beautiful babies were born.

Emma Elizabeth

Nicholas Drew (left) and Dylan Alexander (right)
*yes I know they will hate me for posting naked baby photos!!!!

And the winner is......

Emma! That is correct, she won a very important election today. Her ballet teacher elected her to go on pointe shoes. This is a HUGE milestone in a ballerina's life. Emma has been waiting for this day for 10 and a half years she says. We are so proud of her!!!!

Two Weekends, Two Trophies Each!

What a fun weekend! After enjoying Halloween and Field Day on Friday, the boys had a baseball tournament in Pearland this weekend. They won the championship....so yet 2 more trophies to make room for. After last weekend's 2nd place finish Nicholas and Dylan were already excited. But two weekends in a row....and winning 1st this weekend - too much fun for 7 year olds.

After the tournament finished on Sunday we met Dennis, Christy, and the girls for lunch and then hung out at their house for awhile. Their little cousins Addie and Kaitlyn just love having the big kids attention. It was nice to relax and hang out with them - we don't get to do that often enough!

Busy Friday!

Field Day and Halloween.....all on the same day! It made for a busy, but really fun Friday for the kids.

Pumpkin Fun

Check out Marcelo's awesome (and time consuming) pumpkin creation!!!

Vegas Baby!!!!

So my wonderful husband took me to Vegas for my 35th birthday. We stayed at the Bellagio for the first time - it was spectacular! Then he surprised me with tickets to Elton John the night of my birthday. This was such a cool show. I highly recommend it. We knew every song and he is such a showman. I will never again hear an Elton John song and not think of the wonderful weekend we had. We hung out by the pool, played a lot of blackjack, slept, ate at a few buffets, and played some more blackjack. We even came home ahead which is always nice! We have had a series on marriage at church for the last month or so. One of the things our pastor always talks about it taking care of your marriage so that you can be good parents. My husband certainly treated me to a wonderful grownups weekend that I will always treasure and cherish. I think we both came home refreshed, relaxed, and really connected. He is so awesome to plan alone time for us since we really spend most of our free time doing kid stuff.


While we were gone my parents took care of the kids for the weekend. This was no easy feat with the kids regular schedule. However, this weekend the boys played in a double elimination baseball tournament out in Spring. They ended up playing in the championship game, after coming into match play 0-3. That is extremely tough to do! My parents and Emma sat through 4 games in a row on Sunday - WOW! We were truly sad to miss out on it, but the boys were SO excited that Nana and PawPaw got to see them win a trophy. PawPaw was great and texted us updates so we knew what was going on. They ended up losing their last game and coming in 2nd. But, they got their trophy so they are happy! What a blessing we all have in my parents - they are truly awesome with the kids and they all enjoy each other so much. On another note, Emma is getting really excited for her role in the Nutcracker. They have finished learning all of their part and are now rehearsing and refining it. She is going to be so beautiful and we are all counting the days until we get to see her dance.

One in Eight

One in Eight women in America will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. What this means is that approximately 12% or one in eight women who live to age 85 will be diagnosed with breast cancer sometime during her lifetime.

Our tennis league did a Play for the Cure event today - wear pink, play hard, give green. It was fun to get out there and play in honor of all those we have lost to breast cancer and for those we know fighting it. It was touching to hear everyone's stories of how breast cancer has affected their lives. There was no one there that didn't have a family member or friend that has suffered from breast cancer. I was proud to be part of such a wonderful group of ladies. We raised a ton of money for a foundation in Houston called The Rose, that gives out low-cost and/or free mammograms to women who cannot afford them. Check out this wonderful organization.....consider making a donation and help save lives!

http://www.the-rose.org/

Happy 20th Dad and Susan!!!!

Today is Dad and Susan's 20th wedding anniversary. So, I guess you could say it is a special day for me as well since it is my 20th anniversary of having Susan for my mom. I'm so blessed to have them in my life as parents and so blessed to have had Susan as my mom for 20 years. I love you both....Happy Anniversary!

Catching up with Family

Here is a photo of my cousin Ryan and his adorable wife Margaret. She is due Nov. 3rd. - isn't she cute??? I was NEVER that cute at 9 months pregnant!!! We hung out with them for the day on Saturday and caught up. They moved to Houston from Chicago awhile back, and unfortunately we haven't seen much of each other. It was so much fun to see them. We hung out, ate a lot, played outside, and tried to talk them into buying a house on this side of town (free babysitting!!!!) Nicholas and Dylan are especially excited because they are having a baby boy. We have no baby boys in our family, just girls. So they think it will be fun to have someone to teach baseball to. I hope we don't go this long without seeing them again. I can't wait to get my baby fix!

Tennis Fridays

I really enjoy my tennis Fridays (and Thursdays, and sometimes Wednesdays :)!) Today we played what I like to call a "Granny Team". Bless their hearts, these ladies are awesome. I hope I am still playing tennis leagues at their age. Some friends on another line played Lorraine, who is a cute little red-headed, bedazzled pink hat wearing 78 year old and another lady. We have met her at a few tennis playdays and this lady is a hoot. And my friends got beat! One of our girls took the loss extremely hard, as she is an overly competitive girl. However, the rest of us were almost excited as Lorraine and her partner beat our team, as it surely means more to her to beat the "ponytails" as she calls us. Another lady on their team was telling us that Lorraine used to be a model and a dancer and LOVES the limelight. She said this victory over our two cutest ponytailed players was going to feed Lorraine's ego for quite awhile. As it should! It reminded me that while we can outrun these ladies, we sure can't outsmart their experience and wisdom.

As my husband is working so hard, the Dow is falling, and life is so different for so many post-Ike, I want to thank my husband for the privilege of staying home. I am truly blessed to be able to play tennis and have my group of friends. But I am even more blessed for my wonderful husband. I love you Marcelo!!!!!

This is HYSTERICAL!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6ylxWcwkUM

From Fall to Winter in no time at all....

This is why I love Breckenridge so much. I just posted the Fall pictures from my dad. They are still up in Breck, and here it is just a few short days later......!!! I LOVE the snow. There is nothing prettier than my parents' house in Breck after a fresh snowfall. Early October snow means only one thing - a great ski season. We are looking forward to our trip at Christmas. For now we will continue frying in the heat and humidity while everyone else in the country has seasons.

Fall in Breckenridge, CO

These are from my dad, the photographer. I think retirement agrees with his hobbies! He and Susan are enjoying their time at the house in Breck. Here are some great photos of the aspens and Fall scenery. What is Fall again????? I am SO jealous!!!!!

Things I think I won't miss when my kids are grown!

Finding missing socks and shoes in the oddest of places.

Going to get a piece of toilet paper and it is in shreds or completely unwound. Or going to sit down on the toilet seat and finding that one of your precious boys has either left you a surprise on the seat or forgotten to put it down so you fall in.....

Going to get a piece of gum and it's all gone and you just bought it yesterday. Or reaching into the bag of baseball gum and find nothing but wrappers. And then all 3 say....I didn't do it!

Finding hand prints all over your walls going up the stairs....do they know what the handrail is for????

Looking like the Beverly Hillbillies because you have baseballs, basketballs, scooters, bikes, and.....oh yeah and more baseballs!!!! all over your driveway and yard.

There are so many things!!! But when I think about these things I think I really will miss them once they are all grown up. Time goes by so quickly and they grow up so fast. Every day, even with all the frustrations, I do thank God for them and all of the wonderful joys they bring to our lives.

Did I mention that this blog posting started because I found a sock hanging off the light fixture in my half bathroom???

Nutcracker Update

Emma is getting so excited about Nutcracker. She is going to be in all 5 performances, which is awesome. She is a party girl in 3 shows and a party boy in 2. That means she is learning 2 different parts. She gets to be on stage for about 25 minutes of Act I.

For those of you wanting more info or to buy tickets, here is the link to the Houston Repertoire Ballet's website. It is Dec 5-7. The Sunday at 1pm is only Act I.

https://hrbtickets.org/

It is a fantastic show - we saw it a few years back. The director brings in some big name artists for the Nutcracker Prince, Snow Queen, and Sugar Plum Fairy. We hope to see some of you there!

It doesn't feel like Fall!!!!

Today I got out our Fall/Halloween decorations. It is really hard to get into the spirit of any holiday around here since it is HOT all year round! It was 88 today, and the only bright spot is that it has been nice in the mornings. In the evenings it is nice out, but thanks to Ike we have mosquitoes the size of mockingbirds attacking us as soon as the sun goes down. Even so, tomorrow it will be October and it still feels like summer. As others are taking out coats, watching leaves change, and enjoying the cool air we are still frying in Texas. I found myself wondering what it would be like to be somewhere with actual seasons.......

First Baseball Tournament of the Season

The Avengers had their first tournament this weekend. Thanks to Ike, we missed 2 scheduled tournaments. Nicholas and Dylan were so excited. This is a new team, so we didn't really know how they would do. The won 1 game, lost 2. But, they had a great time. Both boys made some excellent plays and batted well. Too bad we didn't get more games in.....maybe next time!

Is life really supposed to be this complicated???

Some recent events have had me wondering lately if life is really supposed to be this complicated. It seems to me, life should be simpler. As I struggle with how to handle things sometimes, it makes me wonder why people aren't kinder to one another. It made me think of one of my favorite poems. As I teach my kids life's lessons, it certainly brings me back to the basics. If only we could just concentrate on the basics instead of all the complications!!!

All I Ever Really Needed to Know
I Learned in Kindergarten"
Robert Fulgham

Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in Kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school.

These are the things I learned..

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life.

Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup? The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup - they all die. So do we.

And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere.
The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and sane living.

Think of what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and cleaned up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

Our Hurrication is Finally Over

It was confirmed today that our kids are going back to school tomorrow. Not that we haven't enjoyed the time off....but it could have been put to much better use than hanging out here. If we would have only known we'd have this much time off we could have hopped in the car and had a real vacation in Colorado or somewhere much more fun than Cypress, TX. I am hoping the poor kids aren't going to have to make up these days off....7 total. It really wasn't our fault that Ike decided to hit us!

Nutcracker Auditions

As some of you know, Emma switched dance studios this year. She made the decision to study ballet only, in a more serious fashion. The new studio she attends puts on a performance of the Nutcracker each year in Tomball. We had the opportunity to see it a few years ago, and we decided we wouldn't go downtown anymore when we could see such a quality performance so close to home.

Anyhow, Emma had auditions this morning and was very excited. This will be her first "real" ballet to be in. I think every little ballerina dreams of being in the Nutcracker someday. She will be a party child, in the long opening sequence of Act I. The performance is Dec 5-7. We aren't sure if she will be in all 5 shows, or just some of them. We should know in the next few weeks and I will let everyone know.

Ike Update!

Praise God....we survived Ike with no major damage. We've had a few inconveniences, but nothing like many in our area. Please pray for all those affected that power is restored, as well as life getting back to normal at some point. We definitely feel blessed that we are all ok!

We definitely have had some fun before the storm and after. We had our fun with our frozen hurricanes and virgin pinas. We decided to make homemade pizza with the kids, and then have a Wii tournament. By the way, I AM THE CHAMPION!!!! (Just in case anyone was wondering!) The storm passed overnight, and we didn't lose power until we had all gone to bed. We did our best the next day to keep the kids busy playing games and stuff until the rain and wind subsided. They were awesome during the whole event, even during the scary parts. At one point we had 2 adults, 3 kids, and 2 dogs in our bed.

After, we had some cleanup to do! We only had landscaping damage and a pool full of stuff. My next door neighbor, however, lost 2 big trees. That is the photo above of one of his. The kids were very helpful, even though it was very wet, hot, and sticky!!!! We had no power for about 42 hours, so that wasn't too fun. We finally decided to leave on Sunday morning for my parents' ranch in Brenham, where they had power and AIR! We were looking forward to kicking back, drinking a beer, and watching football. However, TV here has turned into all Ike, all the time, so no Sunday football for us :( Our power came back on Sunday evening, so Marcelo and I came home to tend to some things, while the kids fished and hung out with my folks at the ranch.

It seems like we have had an ongoing block party since the storm ended. The kids are out of school through Wednesday. Emma had a few friends show up on their bikes yesterday afternoon. They were still without power, so we had to take in Kylie and Carlie for the night! They did get power back last night at their houses so I'm told though, so they will be relieved when they get home. They put on a Grease show and played and played. I am attaching a video which I'm sure Emma will kill me for :)! 10 yr old girls are fun......Marcelo says we might need a bigger house. The air guitar is courtesy of our cute little 5 yr old neighbor Grayson. At least we are making memories in the midst of all of this.

All in all we are just grateful that we came through the storm as well as we did. We are praying that the recovery effort will be successful and rapid for those who didn't fare as well as us.