New Pictures of Brenna bath time and bed time

Where does the time go?

When I started this, I really intended to keep it up, but then again Kathy and I planned to see each other once a month when she moved back to Center and that hasn't happened, either. Brief updates: My new real estate career is off the ground, and I hope to have my first listing in the next couple of weeks; Brenna is barreling down on 10 months and managed to infect the entire Tucek clan with a vicious virus last week; we had a great time at Disney World a couple of weeks ago; we're looking forward to having Kristi, Travis and Brenna here for Thanksgiving, and I haven't bought the first Christmas present. Here's a few snaps of recent pictures.

Whew! What was I thinking....?

... when I labeled my last post "When does the merry-go-round slow down?" That's like praying for patience! Lots has happened since the last post. Kathryn got tutu pictures made, Kristi and Brenna came for Labor Day and left 3 hours later because Travis broke his leg, Travis was hospitalized for 4 days one time and two another and now has two plates and six screws in his right leg, I got started on my new real estate career, and swine flu has broken out at First Christian. And that's only scratching the surface! Here's a few shots to commemorate what's happened:

When does the merry-go-round slow down?

I'm still trying to figure out when life slows down! I signed with Keller Williams late July and still haven't gotten off the ground, what with getting Kathryn back in school and extracurricular activities, going to Austin to help with Brenna, and the DCCCD work.

Reminder

Last day before the start of the fall year. My goal today, after church and the blessing for a good year for Kathryn (which we faked our way into even though it was supposed to just be for K-12 because Kathryn saw the balloons they were giving out and wanted one), was to ready ourselves and the house. Harold went to Waco to see his mother and I vacuumed, blew off the back, washed, dried and folded all the clothes, got Kathryn's and my clothes out for tomorrow, went with her to Mosaic Madness to grout our art projects from yesterday, and finished shopping on the last tax-free day. I got Kathryn to take her shower, brush her teeth, and was walked back into her room that had been straightened and found that she'd pulled things out again. I was asking her to help me and she wasn't paying attention when I said, "Kathryn, listen to me, I'm getting tired!" She said, "Mom, look at me! I'm just a kid, this is what I'm supposed to do!" I couldn't argue with that one...

Clothes Horse

We have a new clothes horse in our family, and she rivals her dad. We went to find her a pair of jeans today and she found these pants and matching cap instead. She decided she needed them worse than the jeans. She came home and went straight to her closet to find her orange Polo shirt that was the exact shade as the small line of orange in the pants, then found flip flops that somewhat matched as well. She is really styling!

Endings and Beginnings

It's hard to believe that fall is nearly here already, and the summer is winding down. When this summer started, I wasn't sure how I was going to deal with not having a full time job and having to entertain a four-year-old 24/7, but I've really loved it. It's probably like childbirth; I've forgotten the bad parts already.

We've stayed really busy, and there have been so many changes. I'm now a realtor working at Keller Williams. I've not done much with that until school starts for Kathryn, but that will be Monday. She's grown so much over the summer, both physically and emotionally. We've had a wonderful summer, going to the waterpark, Six Flags, going to the zoo and movies, shopping together (she's really gotten into that), swimming, dancing, visiting with Kristi and Brenna, developing new friendships with Analise Rose and the cousins, and enjoying snow cones. I'm so glad I've gotten to be here for the little things that create such big memories.

I'm still doing work for the Dallas District and for Eastfield College but still have time to make my own schedule and put Kathryn, Harold, and my family first. Next week starts a new beginning for a job for me, the start of school for Kathryn, and the start of a new semester for Harold. I hope we continue to have time for each other and for our extended families and friends.

This week I took Kathryn to get pictures made at Charla Holme's studio in Corsicana. The theme is Tutu's and Toddlers. She looked precious, and I can't wait to see the proofs. Afraid that this one might cost us. She was such a natural, though. I took Kathryn and Analise with me for Meals on Wheels last week and yesterday, Brittany and both her kids went with us. She's thinking of volunteering, as well. I guess I should tell her that once you start, you get sucked into more and more!

Today is the start of the tax free weekend. We're going to practice Kathryn's new skill of shopping just a bit.