The Kids Are Alright

When we moved back to Hilltop it was hot mess, to say the least.  Griffin did not want to move -- at all.  He was so happy in Brenham at his Christian private school, B.C.A.  Sophie was bummed to leave, but was excited to come home to Hilltop and live in a house again, and not in a commercial building that was under construction.  Well, it was a bumpy restart here.  Sophie adjusted fine, Griffin - not so much.  Without going into the details - we are now  "accidental"  homeschoolers.  It was the BEST decision we have EVER made.  I am grateful for the wonderful years that both kids experienced in school.  Homeschool is something that I would have never considered unless for  the events that transpired.  It is new adventure in learning for our entire family.    Some days are tough.  When cabin fever hits us  we take action and go on a field trip, take a hike or go read outside.  I will include more about our homeschool adventures in the future.  

From Trash to Treasure -- Literally

Found this very old dresser on big trash day in my neighborhood. It was so heavy, but somehow the kids and I managed to lug it home hanging out of my trunk. It took a lot of cleaning, sanding, and Modge Podge, but I think it turned out pretty cute. Note to self: Don't ever try to wallpaper.

Sophie has a Parisian themed room, so it now holds her "stuff". You know the "stuff" you would love to get rid of when your child is spending the night at someones house? Surely, she won't miss ticket stubs, 100's of jelly bracelets, stickers, bits of this and that -- right?? Well, Sophie would.

So now it is housed in a funky dresser that she helped to create. Problem solved.

Sophie and The King of Pop

You would think after 40 years of being alive that I would master the art of taking a decent picture. You can totally tell that I am sucking in my gut, keeping my chin down to avoid a double one, and I am smiling like I am a weirdo. I really thought my aviators were cool, but in reality, they make me look like Micheal Jackson.

Patriotic Photo

My kids absolutely love it when I pull over on the main drive in our subdivision, in the 100 degree heat, and make them take a patriotic photo while wearing floppy Uncle Sam hats.

Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes!

My oh my how things have changed in the House of Gillespie. Let me start by setting things straight. We are doing well. Really well, in fact. After 39 years of worrying about what the masses think of me and my choices I have grown up, ( I think), and have started to make decisions based on -- well whatever I'm rambling. Decision #1 We have moved out of Brenham and to Hilltop back in August 2009. Griffin was not a happy camper about this -- at all. He was out numbered in the family vote.

We had to tell the renter that lived in our Hilltop House to scat.... and well, he was not eager, to say the least. Finally, he got over it, found another abode and we came back to our home (incidentally, I had not been back here in 3+ years!) We walked in for the first time to find the doorknob missing from the front entry, and it smelled like smoke, wet dog, and a 70's fish fry.

A Little Piece of Paradise

My fantastic brother Ryan entertained us during Spring Break by taking us to Hamilton Pool in Austin. Amazingly cool place highly recommend going if you enjoy hiking and almost busting your butt in order to see the coolest waterfall and cavern/cave-like structure. OMG I look so fat in this picture but the good news was that I lost a pound from the trek.

39 and Holding buts it's complicated -- of course.

So today is my actual Birthday -- not the 20th. What? How? Well sit back and let me tell you the story about how I found out my Birthday was not my Birthday -- or was it???

The year is 1985. The location is Dallas, Texas at the Sears driving school -- yes, Sears. My Dad and his new wife had just moved to Dallas and I went to stay with them and to take drivers ed. I know no one. I am awkward. I am feeling so out of place at the Sears Driving school in Dallas, Texas. The class is watching a film and we have just turned in our paperwork. You know the stuff -- your name, D.O.B. etc.... Just when my eyes are glazing over from the BORING film...

"Christina Wilson?"

"Yes?"

"Do you not know your own Birthday?"

"I'm sorry??"

"Christina, when is your Birthday?"

"Ummm August 19th."

" No, it says right here on your Birth Certificate August 20, 1970. You , Miss. Wilson, wrote August 19th all over your paperwork. You would think by this point in your life you would know your own Birthday.!"


I was mortified. The class started to snicker and laugh. Thank goodness it was dark in there -- because my face was on fire and I'm sure it was blood red.

My Dad rolls into pick me up after class and I tell him what happened.

"Oh yeah -- that's right. The hospital made a mistake -- we told them about it but I guess they never fixed it. It's no big deal."

"Daddy, what day was I born on? Are you even my Dad? Who am I really?"

"Tina, you were born on the 19th -- that is your Birthday."

So, ever since that fateful day during the summer of 1985 -- I have used August 20th as my legal Birthday on forms and such. My Birthday that I consider to be my Birthday is the 19th.