Happy New Year!

January 8, 2013 By 2 Comments

Hey friends! Happy 2013! My New Year officially started on Monday. When it falls in the middle of a week like this year {and because we were out of town!} I refuse to start my New Year until we get back and settled. So, technically this is just the 2nd day of 2013! I’m doing good on my resolutions so far :)

We were in San Angelo for the New Year. My sweet daddy just retired after working 33 years at the hospital where I was born!

We had a great time celebrating with a few close friends and family. I’m so thankful my dad worked so hard his whole life. I remember as a kid him sometimes working THREE jobs, but still always made us girls his priority! I would ride with him to his second job and we would all go to Sonora, TX on the weekends when he worked at the lab there. Because of his and my mom’s hard work, I had a childhood filled with the sweetest memories of parents who loved me so much and worked hard to give me all I ever wanted and more. I truly owe them so much. My prayer is now that he and my mom have some good years to travel and enjoy retirement together! They plan to camp out in their RV all over the US. So excited for them to be living out their dream!

The kids start back to school tomorrow, and I am so ready to get back to our routine! But, we have been enjoying our days at home- they’ve been filled with Barbies and Cars and games and staying warm by the fire!

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Reading List 2012

January 9, 2012 By 14 Comments

I read a few really great books in 2011. The Hunger Games Trilogy and Sarah’s Key were my favorites of the year. I am counting the days until the Hunger Games movie comes out in March, and our next RedBox rental will be Sarah’s Key! I love it when I’ve read the book before I see the movie. We went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and now I’m so sad I didn’t read the book {like T did}. The movie was incredible {and btw very graphic} and now I am excited to read the second and third books of that trilogy.

I’m deciding 2012 will be a year of more books. Not In grad school, not preggers, not giving every spare moment to a newborn, and I’m not working {full-time}… none of the excuses I’ve used before seem to be holding up!

So, here’s my goal. 12 books. Not a lot, I know, but more than I’ve read in a year in a long time- maybe ever. I feel like I can commit to one per month and still keep up with my Bible reading and my other hobbies {blogging}.

I’m keeping track on Goodreads. Have you heard of it? I hadn’t but now I am so happy to have all of my read/to-read books listed in one place!

So, alas, here are a few of the books on my 2012 reading list! Have you read any of these? Thoughts? Books I need to add to the list? I’d love to hear your suggestions/must-reads for 2012!

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2011: A year in review.

January 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Source: marian16rox.tumblr.com via Sherry on Pinterest

2011. Where did you go? I feel like the years just go by faster and faster! 2010 was a hard one, but 2011 made up for it in many ways. Here are a few posts that remind me what a year we’ve had!!

Whew. What a year!

Posts to expect in 2012? I. HAVE. NO. IDEA! We have no plans other than our second annual beach trip and our 10 year anniversary getaway! I have a few resolutions but nothing majorly exciting…just the usual: cleaner house, better wife and mom, more time in the Word, keep working out, etc… 2012 here I come!

Source: elembee.com via Sherry on Pinterest

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2011 is off to a good start

January 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Don’t forget about the giveaway- it ends January 31st!

Workouts started. Check. Eating better. Check. Start new job. Check!

I’d say this year is off to a good start! I purchased a Groupon for a one month membership and 10 yoga classes at the gym Trey goes to for boot camp. I started this week just going to the gym and running on the treadmill. I bought a Couch to 5K app on my phone and have really loved using it while at the gym. I haven’t run in a really long time, so it is feeling really good to get back in the swing of things. Trey and I ran a 10K back in the day, and I’d love to get to where I could do that again. We will see. May I also just say that I can see why people get addicted to going to the gym. I’ve really never had a gym membership before, except for one time when we were getting ready for our first trip to Hawaii, and of course the free membership in college that I regret not taking advantage of. I have found it is motivating to see lots of other people working out, and it is nice to get out of the house for an hour and have it all to myself. I don’t know if it will be in the budget for me to continue after this month, but I am hoping it will happen.

Eating better has been a success. I even ordered a salad yesterday for lunch. So unlike me. I really hate lettuce. But it wasn’t that bad and it feels great to be getting into a routine of eating healthier. I haven’t tried out any new recipes or I’d share. We’ve just been eating lots of shrimp, grilled chicken, veggies, and sandwiches. I know, so exciting.

I started my new job yesterday and I LOVE IT. It is just the perfect fit for me. I have 7 student teachers that I am overseeing in Rockwall. They will (hopefully) all graduate in May so this is their last semester of learning before they become certified teachers. The girls seem great and the ladies I work with are so sweet! It felt great to be a professional again, but when 2:00 came, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on my babies! They are loving MDO and both adjusting well. Their teachers are lovely and I’m so thankful I found a place where I feel totally comfortable leaving them.

I’ll leave you with a picture of two of my favorite people. Isn’t T looking good?! He is still loving boot camp and is faithfully getting up at 5:30 4 days a week! I am proud of him for making a daily choice to stay healthy for us and for himself. Oh and yes we’re at Mooyah. Don’t judge. I didn’t say we were eating healthy all the time!

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A wedding, a birthday party, and a new year

January 2, 2011 By 3 Comments

We had a great New Year’s weekend! Trey’s dad came in town so we could have our final Christmas celebration. Chloe asked Santa for one thing- a Barbie car she  could drive. Santa brought her a kitchen instead, but Pops and Bebe surprised her with a pink Jeep! Her reaction was priceless and we spent the better part of the {cold} weekend in the driveway. Saying she loves it is an understatement. I know this will be one of her favorite things for many years. I’m just ready for it to get a litle warmer so I don’t freeze my tail off watching her go for a ride.

Chelsi, Jenn’s younger sister, got married on NYE, so we rang in the new year dancing and celebrating with Jenn’s family. The wedding was GORGEOUS, and Jenn and her sisters and mom did most of the planning. It was at the Filter Building on White Rock Lake- a great venue for a New Year’s wedding. We were so glad to be a part of such a beautiful, Christ-centered ceremony and a dance-til-midnight and ring-in-the-new-year reception. Jenn had made a comment back in October that she was ready to plan a party. It wasn’t a week later and Chelsi and Brant were engaged and Jenn’s house became “wedding central”. She did an amazing job and I now have confidence that Chloe’s wedding will be just as beautiful because I’ll have her to help! PRAISE THE LORD that is a LONG time away, although I know Chelsi’s parents thought the same thing 20 years ago! Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Ross who are honeymooning in Colorado as we speak. Ahhh, a vacation in the mountains with my man? Yes, I’d say I’m just a tad bit envious. Here we are about to head to the wedding (notice anything different?).

Last night we got to celebrate with Jenn’s family again. Richard threw Jenn a fabulous 30th birthday party at Mattito’s! All the BOB dip and fajitas you want- and cake from none other than Society B- it can’t get much better than that! I am so thankful for our best friends and I am happy the youngest of the four of us is joining the Thirty-Something Club in just a few short days.  Happy birthday, sweet friend!

I have made the executive decision that 2011 doesn’t start until Monday, so that means I have 13 more hours to eat what I want, drink a real Coke, and not worry that my Christmas decorations are still out. But come 7am tomorrow, this girl is making some changes. I’ve gotta get back to working out and eating better and my house has to get back in order.

I better go enjoy my last few hours of 2010. 2011, I’ll see you real soon!

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This picture sums up our year.

December 28, 2010 By 3 Comments

 

Ok, maybe it wasn’t that bad. We had a beautiful baby boy.  And we moved into a bigger house closer to Trey’s work. And we were blessed in coutless other ways. But, man, if 2010 was anything, I’d say it was a beating. Between the mess with the house and my lack of love for the newborn stage, I’d say we are looking forward to 2011 with the hope that things will slow down a bit. I know, wishful thinking. But, here’s a list of a few things I’m looking forward to in the new year:

1. I’m starting a new very part-time job! I will be working as a liaison for Texas A&M-Commerce overseeing student teachers. I am excited to get out of the house every week, work in the education field, and get to work with a sweet friend, too!

2. Because of my little job, the kids get to go to MDO two days a week. I’ll be working while they are there, but I should have at least one day every other week just to myself. I’m not even going to know what to do! Even if that day’s tasks involve grocery shopping and cleaning, it will just be nice to do it alone. You know I love them, but running errands alone?! Oh my word I’m so excited.

3. Our summer vacay just got booked. We are going with the Dempseys to Destin and I can’t wait. I’ve never been to the beach in Florida, and I just know the kids are going to love it. We are even bringing a babysitter along so that the adults can go out at night. And by going out I mean seeing a movie or going to dinner without kids. YAY.

4. Babies! Lots and lots of babies! I have a bajillon friends who are expecting but I can’t list them because I’m not sure who has told who and I don’t want to spill any beans if you know what I mean. Just know that if you are a friend and I know you’re pregnant, I am SOOOOOOO excited for you. I can’t wait to hold all these babies! To clarify, I LOVE newborns if I get to return them to their owner after 10 minutes of snuggle time. ;)

5. Chloe turning 3 and Jack turning 1. I can’t believe I will have two toddlers running around here by Christmas 2011. Craziness. But I am so excited to watch them grow and celebrate their milestones over the next year.

There are so many people who have had a 2010 that I can’t even begin to imagine. Our year was nothing compared to what some experienced. I pray that we can all look forward to this new year with hope, but above all, I want to remember that He is directing our paths and He knows the plans He has for us for 2011. And, for that matter, infinity and beyond. Sorry. I couldn’t help myself. Anyway, Happy New Year to all of you!

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Another Great Christmas & Happy 2010!

January 1, 2010 By 1 Comment

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We had a very eventful holiday! We did our annual “Four Christmases” again this year- starting out in Pittsburg to see Trey’s dad and step-mom. We had a great time visiting, getting spoiled with gifts, and eating (of course). Bebe and I also had our first attempt at making Paula Deen’s version of Cake Balls. They tasted good but weren’t very pretty due to my lack of experience. I definitely want to try baking those again!

We were here for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We went to the Christmas Eve service at our church with Chloe. This was her first “big church” experience and she did so good. She LOVED the music. We put her in the aisle when we were singing so she could see- I wish you all could have seen her moves! She was dancing and clapping and just SO happy to be there. She loves to sing, and was just mesmerized by all of the Christmas carols and microphones. I can’t wait for her to be big enough to join us in church all of the time.
We then spent some time with Trey’s mom, Scott, and Mimi. We were (once again) spoiled! Chloe was so happy to “finally” open those Dora packages she’d been eyeing for a while. After we put Chloe to bed Christmas Eve night, we were SO excited to sit down and open the envelope from the sonogram we had on Tuesday. Here are the reactions- Trey: jumping up immediately and doing fist pumps while saying YESSSSS over and over. It was similar to the Tom Cruise couch jumping scene on Oprah. Me: sitting in total SHOCK staring at the sonogram to see if it was really true- we are having a boy! I was just sure it was a girl. We are needless to say VERY excited about baby boy arriving in May. We have a list of names and are trying to narrow it down. We’ll see.
Christmas morning was so much fun with Chloe. She just loved her Dora backpack that sings and her Anywhere chair from Pottery Barn. She was saying “thank you, Santa Claus” over and over without being prompted. I know she will be ready for him to come again next year! After a yummy breakfast with Trey’s family, we headed to San Angelo unaware of what was to come. As we get through Fort Worth, we notice a sign that says “I20 is closed west of Weatherford due to icy conditions”- which is right where we were headed. I immediately put my iPhone to use and was looking at maps, calling family and DPS offices, and trying to figure out what to do. Sure enough, the further west we got, the more ice and stranded cars we saw. By the time we were 3 hours from Dallas we were going 10 miles an hour in heavy traffic. We were both terribly stressed out about what to do and finally made the decision to turn around and— yes—- GO HOME. So, we spent 6 hours in the car on Christmas only to return to an empty house with no food. All I could think about was a) that I wasn’t going to see my parents for the first time ever on Christmas b) what we were going to try and round up for dinner (pregnant, remember??) and c) that everyone else in the world was surrounded by family and food and we weren’t. After having multiple emotional breakdowns I came to the conclusion that this was all part of God’s plan (duh) and that we should make the best of it. We went to CVS (the only store open within 20 miles) and got eggs (for a “breakfast” dinner), coke, and ice cream because those things seemed to make us feel better. We made french toast and I fell asleep watching the rest of White Christmas. We left the next morning for SA and were there by lunchtime. So, after all that stress, it all worked out. We didn’t get to see my sisters and their families this Christmas but I guess that is just what starts happening when everyone has multiple families to visit.
We had a great time visiting with my parents. My mom always cooks our favorite foods which included her famous beef and potato and coconut and chocolate cream pies. I also got to spend some good conversation time with a few old friends and my fave cousin. It was great to catch up with everyone. Chloe got a slide for the backyard from my parents and she was in heaven. Our trip was shorter than planned, but it was well worth it to get to spend some time with my family.
We had a great New Year’s at the Thomas’- Richard even ventured out and grilled lobster (my favorite) which was a super fun treat. It was perfect ringing in the new year with some of our favorite people. BTW- did you see that girl from Alabama on the Carson Daly New Year’s Eve show? If you didn’t, you missed out on a huge laugh. It could be the next You Tube sensation, seriously.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday! Happy New Year from all 4 of us!
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