I Quit.

Well, almost. I really, really feel like quitting right now. Work is really hard today. Actually this week. Actually this year. I feel like I'm on the edge of failing in the most complete and public fashion. The pressure on me is greater than it ever has been ever in the history of my career. I am ready to put my head in the sand.

I once read this article about how smart girls give up more easily than smart boys. I think that I'm at the point in my career where this basically defines me. I hate failure, and the prospect of it is making my skin crawl. Actually worse - it's making my eyes water (big girls don't cry).

I want to call in the troops. Call for backup. But there is none. I'm the last girl standing. I'm the front line and the calvary. I need a relief pitcher. Someone smarter and faster and more experienced than my (nearly) 40 year-old self. I keep looking around the room, and, instead of a line of volunteers, the eyes are all on me. This sucks.

I am so very, very lucky that things at home are not hard. I do not want to quit at home. I have a husband who fills me up each day with courage and faith and love. Thank God for that. I have kids who, while they need me to do just that for them, their neediness is actually fulfilling. My kids who are growing like weeds still need their mom. This is not a burden. The thought of them NOT needing me makes me sick to my stomach.

But at work, well, at work today, I want to quit. I am not going to, however. I just need a moment to pull myself up by my big girl panties and dry those watery eyes. I need to suck it up. There are worst things in the world, like hunger, death, lost love, and I am not dealing with any of those. To fail is to be human.

I won't quit today, even though I really want to. Fight or flight, right? It's unlike me, but the fight has been a bit low in this dog lately. I need to summon it back up so I can make it through this obstacle course.

One more coffee, and then I'll do another gut check. Put on my boxing gloves, and get back in the ring. I'm on the edge of failure, which also makes me on the edge of complete and total success.


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Roles and Responsibilities

This is reminiscent of my four years at GE when R&R were continuously modified and the hot topic of discussion around the water cooler. In this case, I've been experiencing some interesting changes in my own R&R within my family unit, and have rotating emotions of concern, guilt, and stress about how it may or may not impact my job performance at my paid employment. *For the record, I believe being a "mom" is also a job, however the monetary reimbursement is lower than teachers, which makes being a mom the most underpaid employment available.

In addition to my normal roles as wife, mom, step-mom and dog-mom, I have found that this year I have taken on some larger responsibilities that don't add to my paycheck.

Additional R&R for 2013/2014:

1. Soccer mom. Both of my kids began playing soccer for the first time last fall. This is their first time playing a team sport, and I am very pleased with how they are acclimating to it. Annie is really enjoying it. The jury is still out for Will, but it gives him a legit reason to wear his sports goggles. Last season, I was just a sideline observer/cheerleader. This spring season, I volunteered to be "team mom" for Annie's team. WHAT?? Luckily I can use Shutterfly Sharesite to make this easy squeezy to get other moms to sign up for snack duty. Picture day ran itself, and Annie's coach knows what she's doing, so it's okay if I don't. As I will do today for two games, I've gotten to be somewhat of an expert at packing up my folding chairs, water jugs for the kids, and camera so I can catch some of their awesome actions shots. See below for a couple.








2. Homeroom helper. Annie's class has the sweetest mom as the homeroom mom. I have enjoyed being her little helper this year. My official job is "co-classroom photographer". Admittedly I'm not that great at that, but I was a good backup for the room mom at this. I enjoy this little job - its like being a Christmas elf for the classroom. And Annie thinks its awesome that I spend a little time at school - bonus points for a working mom.

3. Girl Scout Troop Leader. WTF??? I mean, really people, can anyone truly believe that I somehow got roped into/signed up for this?? I'm still in shock to tell you the truth. I am mostly just helping with finances and running to the GS store for badges, etc, but this is something I never wanted to sign up for. The process of becoming a leader is excruciatingly painful, but I somehow made it through. Annie is elated - thrilled really - but this is not a long term gig for me. Hoping to pass off the "co-leader" title to someone else for next year, and I'll be happy to quietly do the books in the background. There's a huge back story to this, but its several bottles of wine worth, so you'll have to come over to hear the whole thing.

As you may have observed, most of these activities are centered around Annie. For Will's class and soccer team, there are other awesome moms who stepped into leadership roles so I was able to avoid them so far. I plan to avoid Boy Scouts like the plague for Will lest I be sucked into some role there due to my "scout leader experience." Eek!! Regardless, Will is most happy that I make appearances at his school activities like Field Day yesterday. So at least he doesn't feel slighted yet!

I'm off to make massive improvements to my front flower beds this morning - three freezes were not kind to our institutional plants, so some rework is required before I head to the soccer fields.

To all other soccer moms, scout leaders, homeroom helpers - you rock, and you must know you are appreciated!!

Stay classy, rocking moms.

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A Year In Review

Well, they say time flies when you are having fun!  And boy, we have had a lot of fun this year.  I'm not sure I'm ready to say goodbye to 2013 yet, but I know that next year will be just as exciting and fun as this one.

In case you missed some of the big things that we did this year, here's a refresher...

We started off the New Year with a bang in Versailles, France

We celebrated with some champagne...

and Fred Lalou asked me to be his bride.  I said yes!

In February, we met Fred's cousin Bruno in NYC for Valentine's weekend and Bruno's birthday.  It was COLD!

Immediately following NYC, I traveled to China in February for a board meeting.  It was cold there too! I returned just in time to work at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo on the Sheep & Goat Committee.  

We road tripped with 4 kids and 4 other families to Angel Fire NM for some Spring Break snow skiing.

Will had an awesome time...

and Annie was declared "the best in her class of all boys" - she skied blues and a few blacks on the last day!  Totally fearless.

Max welcomed in the spring time.

We enjoyed some beautiful sunsets in our backyard.

 We exchanged vows on April 13, 2013, in our backyard with our family in attendance.  The weather was perfect!

In May, Fred and I road tripped to Baton Rouge to visit Nitin & Vanessa - we went to a cold and muddy JazzFest, but had a great time!

Annie played in her first piano recital... it was flawless!

The next weekend, Fred's daughter Gabrielle graduated from Baylor University with a BS Mechanical Engineering.

Very proud of her!

The kids and I moved into Fred's house Memorial weekend... we are not too far from the Brady Bunch here!

This summer, we had some duck visitors in our pool with 11 baby ducks.  Max thought they were here to stay!

  More beautiful sunsets from our backyard.

 Colorful ones at that!

Annie enhanced her artistry with this portrait of me under a rainbow.  It's my favorite to date.

 This summer, Gabby took Annie & Will to visit NASA for the first time.  Will loved the big spaceship!

In June, I traveled to Slovakia for work.  From there, I went to Munich and then London.  

Annie enjoyed her first week at Camp Huawni in July.  She and Will are going back together next summer for two weeks!

In July, I had my 20th high school reunion - great to catch up with old friends!

Fred and I had our first honeymoon in August in Playa del Carmen... what a relaxing week for us!

Cousin Bruno came to visit for a week in August - we did a little shopping!

In August, Will and Annie started kinder and 2nd grade at Hassler Elementary. They are loving their teachers and have made a ton of friends! 

Fred's second cousin Jerome and his girlfriend Claire came to visit in August/September.  It was Claire first time to visit the US.

We went to several of Nick's varsity football games for Klein Oak HS.  We also went to a lot of Texan's game this year - Klein Oak had a much better season.

Fred and I traveled a lot this year.  In September, we went to India for a week followed by France for a week.  The last weekend in September, we met Nitin & Vanessa in Vegas for a weekend.  Later in October we traveled to Colorado Springs for an industry conference.  We enjoyed a little golf and sightseeing while there.

In the fall, the kids played soccer for the first time.  They really enjoyed it, and will be playing again in the spring! 

For Thanksgiving, Fred and I took a second honeymoon to St. Lucia, where we enjoyed good food, beautiful beaches, and blue water.

In mid-December, we had a Christmas party at our home for friends and family - it was a great way to dive into the Christmas spirit!

 Christmas Eve 2013 - wow how the kids have grown this year!

For New Year's Eve, we'll end the year in Steamboat, Colorado skiing with Annie, Will and Nick.  I hope you had as exciting and adventure filled year as we did!  Looking forward to what 2014 will bring us.  

All our love.

The Lalou's and two Thompson's

Jackpot

Mega Millions... who needs your $154MM after taxes lump sum winnings. I already won the jackpot - just like this lady...

http://youtu.be/PUroIcT9lTA

I love me a wonderful Frenchman who treats me like a queen and takes care of me every day (complete with 50 lb puppy, morning coffee and all).

Best. Present. Ever.




12 days til Christmas!




Ho ho ho....

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Pinterested

My sister called me this afternoon to tell me she had pinned me on Pinterest. Or actually she had pinned my recipes I posted last year that were my Aunt Estelle's, but the only photo available was my face. So there's my face... bright and shiny on Pinterest. Hopefully no one notices its from like 6 years ago and my wrinkles are airbrushed away :).

In the call she reminded me I hadn't blogged in over 7 months. I guess I've been a busy bee! Life is good. Married life is fantastic. My husband is the bomb. My kids are fantastic. The dog is still cute and loveable. Christmas decorations are up and I'm ready for Santa to get here!

Merry Christmas to all!


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Busy bee

It seems like the only quiet time I have these days is at Monday gymnastics... I guess that's a good thing that I have so much activity to fill my life with, and also this hour to reflect on the week past and week ahead.

So let's catch up.

First things first. On April 13, I married Frederic Gerard Lalou in our backyard. It was really a wonderful day with special moments, low stress, perfect weather, close family in attendance... everything the first day of a marriage should be. It was a very happy day for Fred and I that we will cherish for the rest of our days.

April 13, 2013 - Our wedding day



Funny thing about weddings... people have very set expectations of what a wedding is, and when you don't conform to that image, its really hard for them to grasp. I didn't wear a long traditional dress or a veil (poor etiquette for a second wedding); we didn't have any music or walk down an aisle, and I didn't toss a bouquet. I didn't even have any "colors". You'd be shocked at how many people ask that first. Regardless of how we didn't conform, I can honestly say it was perfect in that it was exactly what Fred and I wanted. Intimate and special, and home.

Of course, the days before and after April 13 were a little hectic with a big work deal closing (finally!) at the beginning of the month, running (I'm not sure I could call it that legally) my first 5k, a quick investor meeting trip to NYC the week of the wedding, working on getting the house sold (closing is May 28 - yea!), shopping for furniture, painting a bedroom... The list goes on. But all in all, April was a great month.

I got a medal! And no, that's not Fred's real hair...



May is just as busy with work, end-of-year school activities, piano recitals, packing and moving, weekend trips, Gabby's graduation... Whew! Can't wait for the summer to get here so life can slow down a bit :).

Gabrielle Emma Lalou - our Baylor University graduate



Fred and I at New Orleans Jazzfest visiting our friends the Goel's



It will be a very happy day for us when we are under one roof - Fred, me, Annie, Will, Nick, and of course Max the dog. The little kids are mostly excited about Max... Let's just hope the feeling is mutual.

Max Lalou enjoying a quiet moment himself; it may be one of his last...



Adios muchachos.

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I'm baaaacccckkkkk

Man, I just realized how long it's been since I blogged. TOO long!

I'm enjoying a little "me" time while the kids are in gymnastics... I'd say "quiet time", but the gym is anything but quiet. I get to read the news, catch up on Facebook, Pinterest, and today I brought the new Nordstrom catalog with me to browse.

Annie is being goofy in her class... The kid has the ability for some real talent, but her silliness gets in the way most of the time. Good thing is she's not trying to be the next Olympian, so as long as she's enjoying it, we'll stick with it, silliness and all.

Will is flipping on the trampoline. Maybe we have some skill there, but he's more interested in his Thursday SuperHero class than his 5 yr old gymnastics class. At least it burns some energy!

Fred is at his home (soon to be OUR home), so I'll be missing him tonight. But this weekend we'll have all the kids home (all 5!), and my parents and sister (and her family) at the house for our sweet wedding ceremony on Saturday. My dear friend Lisa Marie will take some photos, and we'll have brunch and cake, and, God willing, good weather :).



Will (5), Gabby (22), and Annie (7)



Me, Fred, and Morgan (23)



Nick (17), and Max at 3 months old

In 6 days, I will become Mrs. Frederic Lalou, and I couldn't be happier! What blessings I have been given to have met such a wonderful man, fallen in love with him, developed great relationships with his three fantastic kids, and watched his relationship with my kids bloom into the awesome silly and sweet love that they have for each other. God has truly granted me something priceless. More adventures of the Lalou/Thompson's to come!

Stay tuned...

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