"The Center Cannot Hold"

I never usually bore you all with my psych tidbits but, since I have been in my Abnormal Psych class I have read some phenomenol stuff. And I thought that I have several family members who would love this book that I just read and had to write a paper about. The book is called "The Center Cannot Hold" by Elyn Saks. It is a first hand account of her battle and ultimate success against schizophrenia. Her sheer grit and determination to overcome all odds are inspiring and I do mean all odds. I don't want to give away to much but she is inspirational. We could all learn alot from her perspective and sheer will power. The general prognosis of schizophrenia is poor to say the least, the majority of schizophrenics live in a prison or a nursing home. Elyn Saks has multiple graduate degrees from the finest schools in the U.S. as well as from Oxford, and is a current professor at U.S.C. law school and adjunct professor at several medical schools. To say that she has overcome all odds would be a serious understatement. So, in all of your free time pick this one up and read it, you will love it.

Homecoming Texas Style

Well, even though Houston has been anything but normal the past two weeks, things are slowly returning to a resemblance of normal. This past week was Homecoming at The Woodlands High School and because some in the school had power most of the week they proceeded to have Homecoming. I know that all of my Texas nieces and nephew know all about mums, but this post is for everyone else that has never heard or seen a mum. We had so much fun designing the mums, Chloe's dates mom and I went down to see the Mum Queen who lives in Spring and spent forever choosing all of the trinkets that adorn the mums. All of this was planned plenty early, but who knew that Ike would be quite so devastating and our mum designer did not have power for two weeks, but she did an amazing job. I was telling my mom about Chloe's mum exchange the other day and she told me that she got a mum when she went to Homecoming,in Shamrock, Texas in 1955, so she is looking for it in her scrapbook, I would love to have a picture of it.

IKE

Here's a few pictures of before Ike hits. Not a loaf of bread anywhere and most of the fruit was gone. Luckily I shopped on Wednesday and Thursday and Friday so, I'm good but some people were quite upset. Greg and Gregory decided to tie up our trampoline so that should either hold it down or pull the trees over that it's tied to. I'll let you know, we are all as ready as you can be, so I will take lots of pictures and video and we will share. So far just wind but our electricity just flickered. We are deciding at the moment where to sleep, but there is some discussion between Greg and I about that ha ha.

Summer Fun

These are just a few cute pics of everyone recently. We all went to American Idol and had a great time, that's where the picture of Hilarie and family was at and Indie and Britt. Also, Chloe just got asked to homecoming and that was the roses that her date left for her. When Mandy came home from Europe she brought all the girls Ciao Bella shirts and I wanted a picture of everyone in them, they were all thrilled of course.

Indie

Last week Brittanie and Marcus went to Vegas for some fun in the sun and we got to take care of Indie. She was perfect except for deciding that she didn't like to sleep anymore. Brittanie left Thursday before I got home from school, so Greg and Chloe graciously took care of Indie until I got home. Well this is what it looked like when I walked in the kitchen. Greg did a great job babysitting but, let's just say that Indie was in charge.

First Day of School 08

I just thought I would post a few pictures of the first day of school. Yes, it is dark outside when Chloe and Gregory left for school what ever happened to kids going to school when it's light outside. Chloe is a senior this year, scary and Gregory is a freshmen and Samantha is in the fourth grade. Again, my kids are all in different schools. I dream of having all of your kids in one school how easy would that be? So far so good though for the new school year everyone seems to be happy. Seminary started this week though and Gregory is adjusting but, the other night he was done with his homework and laying on the ground at 7:30 at night.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

I have been debating about whether to admit to this story, but it's just to great to not share. On our last day in Paris we were packed and ready to go early, we ran the whole day to fit everything in and then back to the hotel to grab our stuff and then on to Charles DeGauille airport. We left in plenty of time and there was limited traffic, we were set to head on to Munich and arrive in Garmisch in the late evening to start the Bavarian half of our trip. There was one small problem as we went to check in for our flight, we had not looked at our tickets to confirm the airport and yes we were at the wrong airport.Our flight was leaving from Orly, very close to the hotel we had just left. We tried to get a taxi, but there was no way to get across town in time for our flight. Then we went on a scavenger hunt for transportation, no trains because the Tour D' france had just ended, no buses, no flights until the next day and they were 1,000 each. So, Greg rented us a car a French Renault to drive to Germany, how far could it be right? As we pulled out into Paris rush hour traffic it became quite obvious that our French rental had a problem with the air conditioning. That's okay it was only about 95 degrees. We drove all through the night and arrived in Garmisch at sunrise. Although, it was an unscheduled road trip it was probably one of the best nights we had. The moral of the story even when on vacation check your tickets.

Paris Day 2

This is a photo diary of day two in Paradise or Paris whichever you prefer. Our day started off at a bakery for Chocolate croissants of course, or a few tarts if you were Greg. We started at Notre Dame which I was totally in love with. Who knew that gargoyles could be so cool. We hiked all the way up the tower which was around 468 steps or so. It's a good thing we run every day ha ha. After Notre Dame we made a dash to the Musee D'Orsay unfortunately, it was closed because it was Monday. Very sad but it gives me an excuse to go back. After that it was on to the Eiffel Tower and a few hundred gypsies. The view is spectacular, the crowds are not. Then we made it to the Arche D' Triompe. When we were in Paris it just happened to be the final day of the Tour D' France and we just happened to be strolling the Champs D' Elysse at that time. Pretty cool although, most of the stores were closed by the timne we got there that afternoon. I think Jeff and Greg planned it this way. Well Paris was fantastic, but there were things we didn't get to because we ran out of time. I will include the awesome story of our departure from France tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Paris Day 1

This is our first day in Paris and we started at the Louvre, how could we not. Just think DaVinci code. First of all, there aren't any words to describe how large the Louvre is, second I think it would take at least a full week to see everything there. Since we had two days in Paris we attacked the map first thing and we picked out the most important things to see. Yes, this is the Mona Lisa and yes I was almost crushed trying to get close enough to take a picture of her. Just think about five hundred people in one room trying to see one small painting behind glass.... very hot and sweaty and way to many people pushing you over to get up close.

Europe 08

Apologies to all, yes it has been way to long since I have posted. Sorry, but we have been traveling most of the last month and I didn't have a computer with us. Greg and I just got back from an amazing trip to Europe with Jeff and Shelly. We traveled through France, Germany, Italy and through Austria. We spent 16 days having a great adventure. Most of the time I was there I kept saying why haven't we ever been here before, the only excuse I could think of has something to do with five kids and about ten years of dance trips every summer. Not that those dance trips weren't great as well, just a little less of the European beauty. There are many stories to tell but, they will have to come in stages. This is our first night in Paris which was amazing. I just had to show this picture of the restaurant and all of the tables in the torn up street. There was concrete and construction going on everywhere but it did not stop the Parisians from enjoying their Saturday night. Mind you that every woman is walking on this torn up street with stilettos on.

July Fourth Texas Style

This is the first year in a few years that we stayed in Texas for the 4 of July. We had a great time although, we missed all the family. We went to the parade in the morning and had a BBQ, then went to Market Street for an awesome firework show. It was unbelievable weather, I almost can't believe we were in Houston. ha ha. When we scoped out the perfect spot on a hillside near the waterway to watch the fireworks, it was 79 degrees. That will never happen here again I'm sure. It was Brittanie and Marcus and Indie's first official holiday here as Texans and we loved having them here.

The Worst Phone Call Ever

This is the phone call that everyone waits for and is not happy to get. Last Wednesday Greg and I were going to run some errands about 6:45 pm, when we got a call from Chloe's cell phone. Greg said, " hi Chloe" and a lady says, "this isn't Chloe and your daughter was in a car accident but she should be fine." We turned around and were only about three minutes away from the accident at Kuykendahl intersection and Flintridge. As we drove up I was expecting to see Chloe's car pulled over on the side of the road, but no we got there and the whole intersection was blocked off by a fire truck and ambulance and police car. That is scary; especially when I see Chloe's car up on the median and an EMT hovering over her while she is sitting in the dirt. Fortunately, Chloe was only scared and mostly sore with bruises from the seat belt and a cut on her head. A lady of about 50 or so ran a red light and plowed into Chloe's passenger side going about 45 or so. The air bags released and Chloe spun around and went up onto a median in the center of the road. The ladies car was totaled and Chloe's was towed away as well. We are still waiting to see what the damage is to Chloe's car and how long it will take to get fixed. All in all not a great day but, Chloe was lucky to walk away like she did.

Grease Is The Word

Last weekend Chloe had her first lead role in a play. DLP is a new production company in the Woodlands and Chloe played Jan, one of the Pink Ladies. It was so fun and Chloe did a great job. I had no idea she was so funny. It was so exciting because she had family come from Utah and Las Vegas. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Robin and Megan and Monet for coming from so far away.

Cafe Wilson

Well summer is here and instead of vegging out in front of the tv (I hate that), Samantha decided to open up a restaurant yesterday at home. I don't know where her creativity comes from, definitely not her parents. She named her restaurant Cafe Wilson and made an adorable menu. I had the lava cake, I highly recommend it. I think Grandma Wilson would be so proud.

INDIE

Last week we went to Panera for dinner and Indie was in rare form with her many faces. Her favorite part was a pickle that she sucked on until there was nothing but seeds left. I'm attempting to put a video on but we will see how that goes. Only six more days until Indie and her mommy and daddy are Texans. Yeah!! We can't wait.

Summer in Texas

Yes it's summer in Houston and yes it's 95 degrees outside, but here is how Sammy is cooling off. Since this is the first summer in three years that we are staying in Houston, I thought I'd show a little summer fun. This year Samantha is doing swim team which is a first for us. She is on the Riptides and has two practices a day although, one is about her limit. This is her meet last weekend. She swam in five events and she got fourth overall (out of about 18) in her age category for back stroke and butterfly. She also got second in the team relay that she swam in. She hates the swim cap but I think it's cute, so I snuck this picture of her.