The Oldroyd Family

Today I quite possible made one of my most frugal Craigslist purchases ever. I had very nearly given up hope of ever going on a walk with my kids because triple strollers are PRICEY. They're also very hard to come by used. I see them every once in a while but since people can spend up to $1000 for one of these babies (new), they often are selling them used for around $300. Too much for me! I randomly checked Craigslist about a week & a half ago & someone had listed a triple jogging stroller for $50. SAY WHAT? There was no picture, nothin. I was sure it was a hunk-a-junk but I inquired anyway. She finally got back to me a few days later, sent pictures, and I made arrangments to drive an hour to go get it, hoping it was a good one. Well much to my surprise, its practically in brand new condition. I looked it up & the retail is about $450. She said she bought it a year ago. I know she could have easily gotten $200 for it so I'm glad she didn't know th...

Remember these? (September 2008) I used them instead of bouncy seats to feed Nathan & Alexa when they were babies. They were a LIFESAVER! They're called Infant to Toddler Rockers . Well guess what? Their claim is true-- toddlers use them too! You can't say that about a plain ol' bouncy seat! Nathan & Alexa chillin' out watching their favorite show-- Sesame Street a.k.a. "ErnieElmo" (yes, all one word)

I am having a baby. Soon. Probably sooner than my scheduled date of the 26th. He has no name. This is probably ok... we didn't name Nathan & Alexa until we saw them. BUT, here's the catch... a couple of weeks before they were born, I felt pretty sure about their names. I feel nothing about this baby in the name department. We have some ideas but I feel no pull to any of them. Is this a problem? Sam doesn't seem to think it is. In his words, "We have his whole life to name him." Uh, huh. Right. Ok Babe. Whatever. See why we don't talk about names?

I've had a rough couple of days. Little things have seemed to pile up in my mind & on my heart & they have turned into big things. I am not handling it well. I am, by nature, a happy person. I don't stay down for long. That's not always a blessing, trust me. But I don't like how negative I've been, even if it's only been for a couple of days. I can hide from the world, not answer the phone, not smile at people at the store, etc... but my kids; they have to deal with me. I was checking blogs tonight & came across this familiar quote (thanks Bekah) that I really needed to read: "Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction." -M. Russel Ballard I have not done my job as a mother the past couple of days. Yes, I have dressed, fed, bathed & even loved on my children. But there have been too m...

This is Jerry Hughes. He just finished his last season playing Defensive End for TCU. If you don't know who he is, ask any college football fan. He is good. Really good. He could have been a first round draft pick for the NFL last year but chose to play another year to help lead TCU to a championship season. For those of you who watched the Fiesta Bowl last night, it didn't happen. Regardless, Jerry will be a first round or early 2nd round draft pick. Basically he's about to become rich & (even more) famous. Jerry Hughes was the star of his High School football team. Which high school? That's right... Austin High School in Sugar Land, Texas. He was a student in my class his senior year. I knew back then, if he was in the right place at the right time & didn't get injured, he would go to the NFL. Being the smart woman that I am, I made a deal. I told him, that since I was the best math teacher he ever had (his words, not mine :) ) that if ...