Mission Complete take 2

Okay, so I wasn't completely done with the whole trip to Europe post like I had said in my last post. I have added one more video and a few other pictures - one is of two Einsteins having dinner together. You don't want to miss that!

Mission Complete

I finalized the post about my trip to Europe! Check it out!

The Legacy of Randy Pausch

The Pausch Family: Halloween 2007
"The Last Lecture"
Randy Pausch
Randy Pausch, professor famous for his "Last Lecture", died of pancreatic cancer early this morning at the age of 47. (My grandfather also died of panctreatic cancer many years ago - it took him quickly! Panctreatic cancer is a BEAR!) Personally, I knew this news about Randy was coming. He had not updated his blog in a while, and the last entry gave updates on his condition (tumor markers, etc) which were rising dramatically. In that post he also said that the doctors had decided his body was no longer strong enough to endure chemo, so they had stopped the treatments. I hate that his life had to end so soon; especially since he had three young children and a wife whom he loved deeply. I appreciate the energy Randy exerted to make the world a better place. What a perfect role model he was to adults and children alike. I do wish he would have mentioned God in his speeches and interviews as I have read he is a very spiritual man, and I think the world needs to hear more about God - especially from someone like Randy Pausch who gained instant fame. All of that aside, I thank him for his bravery and wisdom America grew to know and love. Randy certainly left his positive, Christian mark on the world. What a wonderful statement to be able to make about someone after their passing! I know his children will grow under his steadfast love and example even though he is no longer physically with them. I believe they will enjoy reading his book, watching the recordings of his "Last Lecture" as well as the recordings of his many inteviews that will serve as their memory book of their father. They will be proud of him and his grace. Wow - so many kids can't say that, huh? I take great pride in saying I can say that about my father. My sons can say that about their father, but I know we are in the minority.

We should keep Jai and the three kids in our prayers as this must be very hard for them despite their months of preparation.

On a superstitious note, aren't these things supposed to happen in threes? Makes me a little anxious.

1. Estelle Getty

2. Randy Pausch

3. ???

Who else thinks "Karen" is a humorous idea??

It's true: I am one of those rare moms that allows my kids to watch Spongebob. I know many parents find it to be rude, crude and full of sarcasm (and it is), but that higher level of humor is still above Grant's maturity level, so we watch it. I realize the day will soon come when we probably should not anymore, but until then, I'm laughing it up because let's be honest: Spongebob is a breath of fresh air for all of us moms out there whose worlds are filled with dirty diapers, stained laundry and lots of never ending "baby noise stuff". (this would include the annoying shows/videos kids watch over and over again, the annoying noises their toys make, etc)

Anywho, to get to my point that I meant to get to a long time ago: Does anyone else get a kick out of Plankton's wife being a computer whose name is Karen?!!! How funny and random is that!? Those little comments he makes to and about her are soooooooooo funny, such as, "Karen, my computer wife..." and, "I knew I should not have installed that new voice software..." You won't be hearing anything like that on the Backyardigans!

The Golden Girls

Estelle Getty, the "mother" known as Sophia on the Golden Girls died this morning at the age of 84 from advanced dementia. I'm a little bummed because she is certainly one of my favorite TV actresses, and I am sad that the Golden Girls are truly coming to an end.

No worries though - I have every season on DVD, so I can enjoy them whenever I want!

Thanks, Estelle, for your great one liners that made us laugh!

From Escargot to Cheap Drive-Thrus

I bought a new battery, and you know what that means: This post is now complete. Enjoy the additions to the slideshow and few new videos.

We're baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! I certainly enjoyed our fancy meals and glasses of fine wine while in Europe, but you better believe my first meal back in the USA was cheap Mexican food that was washed down by a big 'ole DrPepper!

I missed Texas and the boys (Kerry, Grant, Rhett) more than I could bare at times. I cried a river when the boys dropped me off at the airport. A lot of this was due to Grant wanting to give me a million kisses, including Eskimo Kisses, Butterfly Kisses, and kisses the two of us have made up. That sweet moment, coupled with Rhett's huge smile and silly laugh he gave me as I told him goodbye, made it especially hard to grab my luggage and energetically walk into the airport to my adventure that was awaiting me several thousand miles away. The image of an annoyed mother tapping her foot at her child that is dragging behind came to mind at that point. I knew I had to go - NEEDED to go and that I was being ridiculous. It took me a good three days before the sick feeling of guilt over leaving my kids began to subside. This "adjustment period" should come as no surprise to anyone; I actually did better than I expected. Hooray for me!

Anyways, the trip was wonderful, and I am deeply thankful that I was invited to go along and experience the world in ways I've only read about in history and art books. It is a memory I shall cherish for a lifetime.

Quick observations:
1. Paris IS as dirty as you have heard. Take antibacterial wet wipes with you; especially on the subway!
2. Paris smells just as bad as New York, if not worse!
3. As a whole, Parisians are not a very friendly people. They certainly do not care for Americans or tourists. (that's unfortunate for them, huh?)
4. No, Paris is NOT romantic. If you want romantic, you need to go to Carmel, California. They've got Paris beat in the romantic department by a mile!!
5. Despite its dowfalls, everyone should go at least once - Paris does have much to offer in ways of history and art, and it would be so sad to miss out on all of it.
6. London totally ROCKS. I would go again and again. Unlike its neighbor, London is very clean, and the natives are extremely kind and outgoing.
7. Six hour layovers are not fun!

The Eiffel Tower at night: I believe it was lit in blue lights due to the Tour de France, or perhaps the fact that France's Independance Day (July 14) was coming up. What a fabulous surprise to learn at the top of every hour at night the Eiffel Tower sparkles!!! Did everyone know that but me???....




The view of Paris on our way back down from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Yes, that is me in the background (not a 13 year-old boy) saying how cool of a video this is, which sort of makes the video not as cool - Me and my loud mouth!


So, apparantly the Arc de Triomphe in Paris is surrounded by a traffic circle. This is not your everyday run-of-the-mill traffic circle: There are no lanes, no rules and lots of gutsy people who for some reason enjoy tempting fate where several roads pour into one another in pure chaos. If cars are not "safe" on this road, why on earth would any fool ride their bicycle or motorcyle through it? I don't know either, but they do. Anywho, we enjoyed the free entertainment at the expense of others' insurance policies possible skyrocketing.


A quick interview while on the London Eye, with your hostess, Jessica.


We did not get to see the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, but we think this parade was a precurser to the event...

We went to a restaurant called Leonardo da Vinci's in London. We were seated upstairs across from a larger than life... well... Leonardo da Vinci. Half way through our meal, the restaurant turned him "on", and he came to life. People gathered around in awe to watch him move - but we were pretty sure it was the cheesiest thing since the nachos you get at football games. One man even got out his video camera and took a nice long video of the famous manikin's movements. I think those people needed to get out more. Yes, I too got my camera out, but for a different purpose...

We named this restaurant: European Chuck-E-Cheese

This windmill dates back to the 1100's. It has surely seen war, peace, and everything in between. We spotted it on the way to Mt. Saint Michel all alone on a hillside.

Hear Big Ben chime at noon - Sorry so short, but you get the idea. Once you've heard one chime, you've heard them all. I thought I was holding the camera pretty still...

Au Revoir

I think that's how you say "bye" in French... Anywho, I'm off to Europe with Garrett (little bro) and Jessica (little sis) for the next ten days (we leave Saturday). We will be in France most of the time visiting places like Rennes, Normandy, Tours, LeMans, LeMont, Lyon, Paris, and then we will be heading to London for a few days. My dad very much wants this to be a FAB trip for all three of us, and I am sure it absolutely will be. Despite what is sure to be a sweet adventure that lies ahead, I am a bit nervous (my middle name: Amanda Nervous Kilgore). I am not good with "new" things, and this certainly qualifies as new as I have never been overseas. I've been to Hawaii, but does that count?? Also, this will be the longest amount of time I will have been away from the boys, and this makes me a bit sad. I have been away from Kerry for this long before due to his business trips, but it is never easy telling your loved ones goodbye no matter how much practice you've had. But, I am sure that even though we will all be going our different directions, the Lord will keep us safe and return us to one another soon. I am sure that once I get on the plane, I will be able to let loose a bit and enjoy being CHILDLESS!!!! Wooooo-hooooooo! I still can't rap my mind around the idea of there being no diapers to change, no tee-tee sheets to change in the middle of the night, no Backyardigans or Baby Einstein, no sibling arguments to break up, no fits or tempers to deal with, no going to the grocery store with two small children - ROCK ON!!!! (Have you heard of the list of ten things you should do before you have kids to make sure you are prepared for them??? One of the items on the list says "you should take at least one goat with you to the grocery store. You will need to keep it with you at all times, and you will need to make sure it eats or disturbs nothing..." PERFECT example of what it's like going to the grocery store with kids.) Although I'll enjoy my freedom, I have a feeling that the plane won't land quick enough on our way back to the states - I know I'll miss the boys and Kerry (oh, and Madalyn, Mexican food and DrPepper) more than I can imagine.

Well, I'm off to finish packing. Can't wait to share my childless adventures and pictures with you upon my return. Now watch me have to sit by some loud mouthed two-year-old on the plane... either that or a screaming baby... just my luck.